Eddington (2025)

Set in a small town in New Mexico in 2020 at the height of the Covid lockdown. There is friction between the town's mayor (Pedro Pascal) and the town's sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) over the mask mandates as well as the mayor's past relationship with the sheriff's unstable wife (Emma Stone). Written and directed by by Ari Aster (HEREDITARY). An ambitious modern "western" often described as a satire as it pokes at conspiracy theories, MAGA, white privilege and radical leftists. It's the kind of movie that overreaches but so zealous in its drive that one can't help but admire it in spite of its flaws. Honestly, I have no idea what Aster's intentions were but it's done so skillfully that I just sat back and watched and enjoyed. Phoenix is excellent here but the supporting ensemble cast measures up admirably. With Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Michael Ward and Diedre O'Connell.