A multi-target satire that takes aim at conspiracy theories, Covid, fake news, gun ownership, Black Lives Matter, and sundry other causes of contemporary American anxiety, Eddington is destined to be as divisive as Beau is Afraid, Aster’s brilliant, misunderstood previous film. Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) is the reactionary sheriff of the titular town during the 2020 lockdown; his contrary attitude to the mask mandate puts him in conflict with the progressive mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal). Although he’s now married to troubled artist Louise (Emma Stone), Joe has never been able to let go of the fact that she once dated Ted, and his anger inspires him to announce his own candidacy for mayor. Needless to say, unforeseen, bizarre, and often hilarious consequences ensue.

Notes by David O’Mahony.