Ari Aster’s ‘Eddington’ Receives Mixed Response at Cannes, Garners 5-Minute Standing Ovation -

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Cannes, France – Ari Aster’s latest feature, Eddington, a COVID-era contemporary Western headlined by Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and Pedro Pascal, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday to a five-minute standing ovation — but not without a few walkouts from the audience.

Marking Aster’s Cannes debut, Eddington brought star power and political intensity to the Palais. The film, produced by A24, is set in May 2020 and follows a tense standoff between a small-town sheriff (Phoenix) and mayor (Pascal) in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico. The situation spirals into chaos, turning neighbors against each other, reflecting sharp commentary on American societal and political divides.

Despite the film’s powerful performances and ambitious storytelling, some international attendees appeared disconnected from its culturally rooted narrative. At least 20 people exited during the screening, with several more scattering just before the credits rolled, particularly from the upper balcony section.

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Following the premiere, Aster remained humble and slightly self-conscious in his response. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what you think. Sorry, I guess? Thank you, I guess?” he said, adding, “I feel very privileged to be here. This is a dream come true.”

The film features a stellar supporting cast including Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Michael Ward, and Clifton Collins Jr. It is Aster’s follow-up to Beau Is Afraid (2023), which also starred Phoenix but underperformed at the box office, grossing only $11 million despite critical praise.

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While Aster is new to the Cannes spotlight, many of his cast members are seasoned festival attendees. Phoenix previously won Cannes’ Best Actor award in 2017 for You Were Never Really Here, while Stone walked the carpet last year for Yorgos Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness.

Aster is best known for redefining modern horror with Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019), both of which bypassed Cannes. With Eddington, he ventures into new genre territory while maintaining his signature psychological intensity.

Eddington is scheduled for a theatrical release on July 18, and the early Cannes reception hints at potential divisiveness among global audiences. Whether the film becomes a critical darling or stirs debate, Aster has once again delivered a cinematic experience that refuses to sit quietly.