Ari Aster’s ‘Eddington’ Streams on HBO Max This November

Eddington, N.M. (AP) — ‘Eddington’, a timely thriller directed by Ari Aster, will begin streaming on HBO Max on Friday, Nov. 14, following its premiere in theaters on July 18. The film features Joaquin Phoenix as a small-town sheriff and Pedro Pascal as the incumbent mayor, and it tackles themes from the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 protests against systemic racism.

In the film, the sheriff and mayor are engaged in a politically charged battle, with Phoenix’s character opposing mask mandates while Pascal advocates for them. This conflict escalates tensions in the community, effectively pitting neighbor against neighbor.

Alongside Phoenix and Pascal, the cast includes Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, Amélie Hoeferle, Clifton Collins Jr., William Belleau, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone. Critics have recognized the film for its satirical take on contemporary America, which has garnered both praise and controversy.

Damon Wise from Deadline highlighted Aster’s willingness to confront the darker aspects of modern society, stating, “It’s about the elephant in the room: the emergent likes of QAnon, 4Chan, and the Proud Boys…Eddington rips the Band-Aid off, and not everyone is going to want to look at.”

‘Eddington’ received a standing ovation at Cannes earlier this year, and while its box office performance was modest—earning $13 million globally on a $25 million budget—its critical reception remains strong, with a 69% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film will also air on HBO linear on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. ET, providing a chance for wider audiences to engage with this unique commentary on political and social challenges.