Early reactions to directed by Ari Aster of Hereditary and Midsommar, explores a deadlock between a sheriff and mayor in New Mexico, spawned by COVID-19. Eddington will be released on July 18 and stars Joaquin Phoenix, who previously collaborated with Aster on Beau Is Afraid, as well as Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, Luke Grimes, Austin Butler, Deirdre O’Connell, and Michael Ward.

After premiering at Cannes, Eddington has received largely polarizing reactions, centered around numerous aspects, including the movie’s commentary and how Aster captured COVID-19. Check out some of the responses below:

Some reviews have praised Eddington, including one from Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture, who considered the movie "a new kind of horror for Aster," while commending the representation of America.

@filmwithyas also enjoyed the depiction of various, nationwide, issues that stemmed from COVID-19 and noted that it’s "the first good film to emerge out of the pandemic."

Barry Hertz gave a positive reaction as well, calling the movie "magnificently off-the-rails."

Other reviews have skewed negative, including one from Luke Hearfield, who noted that Eddington is a lot all in one and that much of the cast is underutilized.

Filip Mańka commented on the film’s absurdity and how it contained "empty sociopolitical references."

Differing reactions to Eddington are expected from Therese Lacson, but the reviewer mentioned that it will drum up conversation.

Donald Clarke recognized that it may frustrate audiences, but enjoyed the film overall.

What The Early Critic Reviews Mean For Eddington

It May Be Another Polarizing Movie From Aster

Eddington combines genres and tackles heady concepts, similar to Beau Is Afraid, another polarizing movie. This time, however, Aster appears to be navigating disharmony and the consequences of COVID-19. The teaser, released ahead of the Cannes Film Festival, shows Phoenix scrolling through social media, catching speeches and video messages, along with some familiar trends. The footage also includes a segment where his character, the sheriff of Eddington, physically confronts protestors and the virality of that argument.

These early reviews suggest that Eddington may divide audiences, continuing a trend for Aster that became more apparent following Beau Is Afraid. While many viewers praised Phoenix and the creativity behind Beau Is Afraid, Aster’s surreal psychological drama also drew criticism surrounding its plot and runtime. Some reactions to Eddington already seem to echo similar concerns, but in contrast, the positive signals a bizarre ride and strong exploration of important ideas.

Our Take On The Eddington First Reactions

The Movie Will Find An Audience

Though the first reactions to Eddington are mixed, alongside a 67% Rotten Tomatoes score that will continue to change, many critics have yet to see the Western comedy. Since horror fan-favorite Hereditary, Aster has developed a loyal following that enjoys his varying projects and will be eagerly awaiting his film. That , along with potentially more favorable reviews down the line and a stacked cast, can likely build significant engagement for Eddington as its theatrical release date approaches.

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