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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ari Aster and John Waters on the Art of Not Compromising
"He looks normal — but he's not!" John Waters said Saturday night, inviting Ari Aster to the stage. "Get on up here!" So began a spellbinding conversation at the Provincetown International Film Festival between two of the most uncompromising film directors — Waters, the rule-breaking icon who serves as the Cape Cod festival's patron saint, and Aster, who came to Provincetown for the first time to accept the festival's Filmmakers on the Edge award, a month before the release of his latest, Eddington. The two filmmakers — who first met years ago at a party at David Sedaris' house — were deeply complimentary of each other, while self-deprecatingly funny about themselves. Aster, for example, volunteered that none of his subsequent films have been as successful as his 2018 breakout Hereditary, which earned $80 million on a $10 million budget. "It's just been a declension ever since," Aster laughed. He joked that when Hereditary was a huge hit, "I took it for granted. I was like, 'Well, that's how it's gonna be.'" Waters countered by noting the intense critical praise for Hereditary, then shared one of his own reviews, Janet Maslin's takedown of his 1977 film Desperate Living: "You could look far and wide to find a more pointlessly ugly movie ... but why would you bother?" From there, the two shared a series of amusing gripes about the state of movies, though their love of filmmaking shined through. "The movie business, as I know it, is over," Waters said at one point, asking Aster if he felt the same. "Well, you know, it's feeling bad," said Aster. "And I'm very lucky. I'm making the films I want to make. But just, you know, the culture at large is feeling just... it's horrible. I don't know. Everything feels bad." In true artistic fashion, he's processing that frustration through storytelling. In Eddington, a Covid horror film set in 2020, Joaquin Phoenix's small-town New Mexico sheriff faces off with Pedro Pascal's mayor, as paranoia and conspiracy theories run rampant. The film addresses American distrust and division. Waters said of Eddington: "There are no heroes. There's no one to root for. That's why I like this so much. The left and the right are both so horrible. Is it possible to have nostalgia for Covid?" The audience roared, though Aster clarified, "I don't know how nostalgic it is." Aster is perhaps the most revered genre filmmaker of recent years, and Waters is a patron saint not just of the Provincetown festival but of bold filmmakers everywhere: Best known for the 1988 hit Hairspray, he broke out in the 1970s with shocking films like 1972's Pink Flamingos and 1974's Female Trouble. He is loved both for his films and for freely speaking his mind. In 2023, for example, after Aster's 179-minute, surrealistic tragicomedy Beau is Afraid failed at the box office and received divisive reviews, Waters delightedly named it the best film of the year. Though Waters and Aster joked about their occasional bad reviews, Waters said he sort of misses the era when critics had more influence. "It used to be, in the old days, if you had an art film and you got a ringing review in The New York Times, it was a hit, and if you got a bad review, it definitely failed," Waters said. "Now, a rave review doesn't make any difference, but if there's a bad review, it still fails. So I don't know. I miss the power of the critics in a way." Waters and Aster shared amusement and frustration with all the forces pushing them toward compromise, including focus groups (which Waters calls "fuck-us groups," because of how their input can dilute a filmmaker's vision). Waters noted that A24, which distributes Aster's films, is like a modern version of Harvey Weinstein's Miramax, without Weinstein's baggage. He also told Aster that Weinstein once offered to release his 1998 film Pecker — if he would change a key location. "If it's not a gay bar and it's a titty bar, I'll do it," Waters quoted Weinstein telling him. (Waters passed.) Aster, meanwhile, talked about studio executives who always ask him to shorten his films. "That's always a big fight while I'm editing," he said. "But how do you win?" asked Waters. "It's just a long negotiation," said Aster. "I've never been pushed to in any way compromise the films at all. It's always just, get them shorter. Which, you know, if anybody were in the room hearing the arguments, they would not be on my side." Asked if he'd ever had trouble with the ratings board, he noted that his 2019 film Midsommar briefly had an NC-17, before he ultimately got an R. Waters recalled that at one point, he was told he couldn't use the title Pecker: "I said, 'How about Shaft? How about Free Willy?" The Q&A ended on a sincere note as Aster told Waters how much his films have meant to him. "It's really an honor to receive this from you, John," Aster said as he accepted the Filmmaker on the Edge award. "You're one of my heroes, and when I was growing up, your films were a real North Star for me." Main image: Ari Aster and John Waters. MovieMaker. Related Headlines 12 Shameful Movies That Glamorize the Devil Goldfinger: 12 Behind the Scenes Photos of James Bond at His Best Kites Director Walter Thompson-Hernandez on Violence the Poetry in the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Eddington' Trailer: Joaquin Phoenix Gets Into Standoff With Pedro Pascal In A24's Covid-Era Western From Filmmaker Ari Aster
A24 has unveiled the first full-length trailer for Eddington, its latest film from Hereditary helmer Ari Aster, which is slated to hit theaters July 18 after premiering at the Cannes Film Festival. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, the genre-bender is set during the Covid-19 pandemic, watching as a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Phoenix) and mayor (Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, N.M. More from Deadline Everything We Know About Ari Aster's 'Eddington' So Far Pedro Pascal Says That With 'Eddington' Ari Aster Wrote A Movie That's 'All Our Worst Fears' In Post-Covid Political Era Emily Mortimer Taps Alison Oliver & Yura Borisov To Lead 'Dennis,' Her Feature Directorial Debut For A24 & Fruit Tree For Aster, Eddington marked a reunion with Phoenix on the heels of his last film, the dark A24 comedy Beau Is Afraid. He directed from his own script, with Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone rounding out the cast. Eddington drew a nearly seven-minute standing ovation in its launch at Cannes, where Deadline's Damon Wise praised Aster for being 'willing to go there' with his satire of modern-day America and all its challenges — 'a slice of history that we have yet to see properly shown on film, even though it happened only five years ago.' The film is financed and produced by A24. Aster produced alongside Lars Knudsen under their Square Peg Banner. Watch the trailer for Eddington at the link above. [youtube Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media Where To Watch All The 'John Wick' Movies: Streamers That Have All Four Films
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Eddington' trailer: Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal face off in Ari Aster's COVID-era western
A24 has released the first full trailer for Eddington, the latest film from director Ari Aster, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in leading roles. Set during the summer of 2020, the film explores political and social tensions in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd. Phoenix stars as Sheriff Joe Cross, a local law enforcement officer who challenges incumbent Mayor Ted Garcia, played by Pascal, in a contentious mayoral race. The trailer presents a sharp divide between the two characters as the town becomes a microcosm of the broader unrest unfolding across the United States at the time. Images of social distancing, protests, and conspiracy theories appear alongside scenes of escalating violence and political division. According to the trailer, the story centers on the growing conflict between Cross and Garcia and how it threatens to destabilise the town's 2,345 residents. The cast also includes Austin Butler, Emma Stone, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, Amélie Hoeferle, Clifton Collins Jr., and William Belleau. Eddington is Aster's fourth feature following Hereditary (2018), Midsommar (2019), and Beau Is Afraid (2023). Unlike his earlier work in horror, this film marks a shift into political drama with Western influences. The film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it screened in the main competition section. Initial reactions were mixed, with some critics praising its ambition. At a press conference during Cannes, Pascal addressed questions about the film's political content. 'Fear is the way that they win,' he said. 'Keep telling the stories, keep expressing yourself and keep fighting to be who you are. … F**k the people that try to make you scared, you know? And fight back.' Eddington is scheduled for theatrical release on July 18.
Express Tribune
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Watch: trailer released for Ari Aster's Cannes-acclaimed Eddington film
A24 has released the full trailer for Eddington, a new film by Ari Aster, best known for Hereditary and Midsommar. Slated for release on July 18, the film is set during the tumultuous summer of 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the politically charged atmosphere following the murder of George Floyd. The movie follows a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and the town's mayor (Pedro Pascal), with tensions escalating in the wake of a contentious mayoral race. The trailer reveals a blend of social distancing, protests, and conspiracy theories, along with explosive action scenes, gunfights, and a mysterious corporate plane looming over the desert. Eddington draws inspiration from contemporary America's struggles, offering a satirical look at the complex and volatile period, and features a strong ensemble cast including Austin Butler, Emma Stone, Luke Grimes, and Deirdre O'Connell. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a nearly seven-minute standing ovation. Critics have praised Aster for his willingness to tackle the challenges of modern-day America, calling the film a provocative reflection on recent history. Despite its divisive reception, the film continues to draw attention for its bold exploration of social and political issues. Eddington is Aster's fourth feature, following Beau Is Afraid (2023). The film is produced by A24, with Aster and Lars Knudsen serving as producers under their Square Peg Banner. The film hits theaters on July 18.
Tom's Guide
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Pedro Pascal and Joaquin Phoenix clash in A24's new 'Eddington' trailer — and it's already on my must-watch list
Reality is a horror movie in A24's upcoming film "Eddington," which just got a new trailer today. It's a contemporary western set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic from horror director Ari Aster, the demented mind behind "Hereditary" and "Midsommar." And if its divisive premiere at the Cannes Film Festival is any indication, it's bound to spark heated discourse when "Eddington" hits theaters on July 18. I'm a huge fan of Ari Aster's films, but his last one, "Beau is Afraid," was such a convoluted dud that I've been holding off on getting my hopes up for "Eddington." But this new trailer is chilling in all the right ways, and it just catapulted "Eddington" to the top of my must-watch list. The trailer showed Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal facing off in a fictional small town that becomes a lightning rod for systemic issues in America. When anti-mask local sheriff Joe (Phoenix) decides to take a stand against COVID-19 safety precautions, it puts him in conflict with Pascal's incumbent mayor, Ted Garcia. The clash sets the community on edge until simmering tensions finally explode, turning neighbors against each other. You can check out the full trailer below: A haunting cover of "Home on the Range" in the trailer hammers home the themes of misplaced patriotism, fear-mongering, and paranoia. You know the other (cowboy) boot is about to drop, but wondering how the powder keg will spark is what lures you in. It also helps that "Eddington's" cast is stacked with Hollywood A-listers. In addition to "The Last of Us" star Pedro Pascal, the cast also includes Emma Stone as Joe's religious wife and Austin Butler as a social media figure a la Alex Jones. Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, Clifton Collins Jr., and "Yellowstone" star Luke Grimes round up the rest of the ensemble. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. This new trailer is the first real glimpse we've gotten of Aster's upcoming film yet. A minute-long teaser trailer went live in April, but it only showed Phoenix's character scrolling through an explosive social media feed. Based on the trailer and early reviews, "Eddington" is shaping up to be the horror director's most divisive film yet. Its focus on hot-button issues — the polarizing effects of social media, pandemic paranoia, and how American identity has twisted into something unrecognizable — is all but guaranteed to spark capital "D" discourse from audiences on all sides. It remains to be seen whether "Eddington" will connect with audiences. While "Midsommar" and "Hereditary" were female-led horror stories about grief that achieved critical and commercial success, "Beau is Afraid" marked a major departure from his breakout horror movies. One that many, including myself, would argue is for the worse. Phoenix's surreal odyssey to confront his anxiety and family trauma ultimately fell flat with critics and viewers alike, with the critics consensus on Rotten Tomatoes describing it as "overstuffed to the point of erasing the line between self-flagellation and self-indulgence." While Phoenix's Sheriff Cross is an entirely different type of character, it does seem that Aster's latest collaboration with the star will take on a more comedic tone in line with "Beau is Afraid." That alone has me holding off on trying to convince friends to see it with me in theaters (watching "Beau is Afraid's" climax together is something I'll never live down), but the trailer is intriguing enough to convince me to scope it out on my own first. I'm cautiously optimistic to see how Aster's idiosyncratic style and surrealism will square with satire on real-life issues. It will be interesting to see whether this new mix of themes and genres successfully comes together in the end. "Eddington" hits theaters on July 18.
