Movie Review: 'Eddington'

One way to win an election is to kill your opponent. The underpopulated nearly deserted New Mexico community of Eddington is soon to hold a mayoral election. It hardly seems necessary as there are so few residents, but the current sheriff, Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), feels it important.

The 2020 COVID pandemic has changed the town. There are those who demand the wearing of masks and those who oppose their use. Joe feels that masks are not necessary, as there are no cases of COVID in their remote community and are an invasion of privacy and freedom of choice.

The incumbent mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), believes in and supports the state mandates requiring the use of masks – it’s the law. In addition to his duties as mayor, he runs a popular bar in town. To help the community to grow and increase tax revenue, he has also been cozying up to a tech firm interested in building a data center outside of town.

Joe and his followers are opposed to that idea as well. They feel that the center will consume the city’s limited energy and water supplies. Not only is Joe adamantly opposed to wearing masks, he is also against the proposed tech center plan. He decides to take action by running for mayor.

At home, he has little support for his pending election plans. He and his reclusive wife live in the home of her mother, Dawn (Deirdre O’Connor). She is a staunch conspiracy theorist and sees problematic issues and their solutions everywhere. Neither Dawn or her daughter encourage him and refuse participating in his campaign. Issues of pedophilia and child trafficking are their main concerns.

Adding to Joe’s work problems is the mayor’s son who is active in the Black Lives Matter movement. He arranges marches and rallies which frequently turn violent, pitting neighbors against neighbors thus requiring police intervention.

Ted and Joe have frequent and very public confrontations concerning their conflicting views of the political themes their public must face. They argue in public in front of voters, sometimes these meetings become violent. It’s not sending out positive messages for either candidate.

Ted is hosting a fundraising party in his lavish home one afternoon. Numerous waiters are serving drinks and tables laden with food are scattered around the terrace. Joe arrives unannounced and begins to scream and argue with Ted. To stop him, Ted slaps him in the face – twice! And in front of everyone. Joe’s had enough, storms out heading to his office to retrieve his sniper rifle.

Troubled days pass and election day finally arrives. The voters elect a new mayor. What they don’t realize is that they have elected a new person to guide Eddington into the future. Someone who can see things clearly and make wise decisions.

Directed by Ari Asher (Credits: Hereditary, Midsommar), "Eddington" runs 148 minutes and is a “see” for a twisted look at days surrounding an election in a rural desert community. Eddington premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, 2025.