Summary

• Ari Aster's Western, Eddington, offers a fresh take on the genre with a modern setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Eddington features an all-star cast, including Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone, making it an intriguing project by the talented filmmaker.
• Although the success of Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga is anticipated, Aster's unique storytelling style presents an interesting box-office challenge.

While Kevin Costner's Western epic, Horizon, is no doubt exciting, the news regarding most shocking moments in Aster's movies are still memorable to this day. Furthermore, the impact of Aster's works, despite boasting a small filmography, also demonstrates his vision and ambition.

Aster's Western is interesting because it marks a decidedly different approach to his storytelling than his usual brand of filmmaking.

The success of Hereditary and Misommar have contributed to Aster's reputation as one of the best modern horror directors in Hollywood. Because of his established reputation, Aster's Western is interesting because it marks a decidedly different approach to his storytelling than his usual brand of filmmaking. Even with limited details, the project is sure to demonstrate a different side to the filmmaker's creativity. However, given the level of talent involved in Costner's Western, Horizon: An American Saga, it still poses an interesting box-office challenge for Aster's Western.

Why Eddington Is A More Exciting Western Movie Than Horizon

Aster's style, the cast, the crew, and the setting are all compelling.

Aster's Eddington boasts an all-star cast, with Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler among its stars, and will be a modern take on the genre. While shows like Yellowstone and Lawmen: Bass Reeves are repopularizing Westerns, the settings and themes are quite familiar to audiences well-acquainted with the genre. Eddington, on the other hand, is slated to be a Western set during the COVID-19 pandemic, which will undoubtedly offer some unique insights into the particularly challenging time. As great as Costner's Western sounds, it doesn't look like it will cover new ground.

Eddington will also give audiences an opportunity to see what the beloved filmmaker will have to say about the state of the world through the lens of the iconic genre. Aster's commentary about family and relationships were both explored in the director's Hereditary and Midsommar respectively, and while Beau is Afraid didn't recapture the success of his previous two films, it demonstrated that he's an artist who's willing to try new things. As such, Eddington and Horizon: An American Saga have the same chances of being massive successes or failures.

While most Westerns are at their best when set during the pre-Civil War era, cinema has seen modern successes as well.

Will Either Eddington Or Horizon Be A Box Office Success?

Both Westerns have the potential to become box-office successes due to the level of talent involved.

Eddington can redeem the commercial failure of Beau is Afraid, which is another reason to root for the Western's success. However, Horizon: An American Saga will be a two-part event covering the expansion of the American West before, during, and after the Civil War. While the story sounds like many other Costner Westerns, it also has the potential to do well given Costner's success with the genre, and its decision to be a two-part movie-going event could be fun. While most Westerns are set during the pre-Civil War era, cinema has seen modern successes as well.

As seen with No Country for Old Men, Hell or High Water, Wind River, and Logan, the Western genre can work perfectly well in a modern-day setting if handled properly. However, Beau is Afraid's poor box-office performance and Aster's unfamiliarity with the genre could all work against Eddington's success. Conversely, Horizon: An American Saga's retreading of familiar territory, two-part structure, and hefty budget could also work against it when it releases to theaters. Nevertheless, Ari Aster looks to once again prove that he is one of the most ambitious talents today with the Eddington.