Eddington: Release date news, cast details and more about the upcoming Western black comedy starring Joaquin Phoenix

Eddington marks the second collaboration between Ari Aster and Joaquin Phoenix after Beau Is Afraid. The Western black comedy is slated to be released on July 18, 2025, by A24. Here's the official synopsis of the film as per IMDb:

In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico.

The film has reportedly generated hype among fans of Aster and the actor. So let us take a look into its cast details, plot, and other details. Continue reading to find out the answers.

When is Eddington releasing?

Expand Tweet

A24 will be releasing Eddington on July 18, 2025. Prior to that, it will have its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the main competition. Ari Aster wrote and directed the film, while the producers include Aster and Lars Knudsen. This is the fourth collaboration between Aster and A24, as the latter has been backing all his films, including Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid.

Who is starring in Eddington?

Eddington features Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role in his second collaboration with Aster after the 2023 tragicomedy Beau Is Afraid. Here's a rundown of its cast members and the characters they are playing.

Joaquin Phoenix as Sheriff Joe Cross
Pedro Pascal as Ted Garcia
Emma Stone as Louise Cross
Austin Butler as Vernon Jefferson Peak
Deirdre O'Connell as Dawn
Micheal Ward as Michael
Clifton Collins Jr. as Lodge
Cameron Mann as Brian
William Belleau as Butterfly Jimenez
Cameron Mann as Brian
Matt Gomez Hidaka as Eric Garcia
Amélie Hoeferle as Sarah
Landall Goolsby as Will
Elise Falanga as Nicolette
Rachel de la Torre as Paula
David Midthunder as Santa Lupe Pueblo Sheriff

What is the plot of Eddington?

Eddington takes place in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in the titular town of New Mexico. It revolves around the town's sheriff, Joe Cross, who gets into loggerheads with its mayor as the latter plans to get re-elected. Aster had earlier described that the film would contain elements of noir and neo-western genres along with dark comedy.

In June 2024, Austin Butler spoke to Screen Rant about the film. He said,

“I don’t want to give much away as far as the story and character go, but it was a wild adventure that I got to go on. I got to play a character who’s very different from anything that I’ve done.”

The official trailer showcases a political showdown in the namesake town as different forces are pitted against one another. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests are also in the story's backdrop. The around one-minute-long video showcases a world that is wrapped in absurdity.

It is also a reminder that Aster is moving away from the horror genre where he made his name with his first two films. While his debut film was a critical and commercial success, Aster's later two films met with mostly mixed responses. Viewers can hope that this film will meet their expectations because of its subject matter and cast members.

Are you excited about the film?