Teaser Drops for Eddington, a COVID Thriller Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal

A24 has unveiled the first teaser-trailer for Eddington, a provocative thriller from director Ari Aster that dives into the unrest sparked by a pandemic in a small town. Leading the charge are Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler.

Phoenix steps into the role of a sheriff in the tiny New Mexico town of Eddington, locking horns with a policy enforced by a rival sheriff, played by Pascal, in response to the COVID crisis. The teaser hints at tensions tied to gun ownership, with Phoenix’s character declaring:

«The folks in Eddington love their guns. So anyone who values their life better think twice.»

In the clip, Phoenix scrolls through a social media feed, stumbling across a video from his adversary. Posts featuring Stone and Butler also flicker by. Stone’s character pushes back against a bold claim made by her mysterious husband, while Butler delivers a cryptic speech about pain being anything but random. The teaser promises a sharp blend of social satire, dark humor, and nods to conspiracy theories, setting the tone for what’s to come.

Eddington marks the second collaboration between Phoenix and Aster, following their work on the 2023 dramedy Beau Is Afraid, where the 50-year-old actor starred under the 38-year-old director’s vision.

The film is slated to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, with no word yet on a wider release date.