HereditarydirectorAri Asteris known for his darkly humorous and disturbing films, whileJoker: Folie à Deux’sJoaquin Phoenixis a master of offbeat, eccentric roles. So it’s no surprise that the two are teaming up for Aster’s upcoming featureEddington— which has Phoenix decked out in classic Western wear for an early, first-look photo.
Despite aiming fora release date sometime this summer, the black comedy and contemporary Western is already well on its way to becoming a hot topic online. Yesterday,World of Reelrevealed an initial still from the film, showing a thoroughly unrecognizable Joaquin Phoenix in a white cowboy hat and matching jacket, accompanied by horn-rimmed glasses and scraggly facial hair. This early sneak-peak could be an indication of additional promotional materials in the coming days, especially withEddington’s expected debut at the Cannes Festival in May drawing closer.
Although many ofEddington’s plot details have been kept under wraps, the film follows a couple who are stranded in a small New Mexico town during the Covid-19 pandemic, and promises to deliver both scathing political commentary and a healthy dose of gore and violence. Given his appearance inEddington’s first-look photo, it seems likely that Phoenix is playing the quintessential sheriff, whose aspirations to become mayor drive a wedge between many of the town’s citizens. He’s joined by a star-studded cast that includes Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, and Deirdre O’Connell.
Aster and Phoenix Are a Dynamic Duo For Fans of the Strange and Unsettling
Eddingtonisn’t the first time that Phoenix and Aster have collaborated. Last year, they joined forces inBeau Is Afraid, another black comedy with enough strange, surrealist elements to unsettle numerous audiences. The filmreceived mixed reviews, but those who loved it have described it as “a horror epic,” and praised Aster as a master of “playing with your mind.” Other critics lauded Phoenix’s commitment to his offbeat role, saying that it saved what could have been too forgettable otherwise.
These descriptions offer a glimpse of what to expect fromEddington. Both Aster and Phoenix typically stay away from more conventional stories and roles, and since they’ve already worked together once, it’s likely that this second collaboration will continue to push the boundaries of what audiences are used to seeing on-screen. Their dedication to creating truly unique works of art is undeniable, and Aster is also no stranger to using his films as a medium for social or political commentary, with his masterpieceHereditaryhinging on topics like generational trauma, mental health, and familial dynamics.
Joaquin Phoenix Defends Controversial Joker: Folie à Deux Ending
“There’s a warmth in that scene.”
Aside fromEddington, Phoenix is also involved inThe IslandandPolaris— two independent films which, although currently in the post-production stage, have not yet received release dates. Meanwhile, Aster has several upcoming projects to look forward to, such asBugoniaandThe Drama, which are also in post-production, as well asBushidoandThe Looming. He’s also slated to produce the upcoming television seriesLonely Hearts Club.
Source:World of Reel
