What — beyond Aster’s evident desire to tweak both sides of the political spectrum — might be going on here? Look deeper and you’ll find the answer was hiding in plain sight. If Aster has a thesis in Eddington,

Costume designer Anna Terrazas tells IndieWire about the real-world influences behind her clothes for Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, and Pedro Pascal in Ari Aster's latest provocation.

In Ari Aster’s dark comedy, Joaquin Phoenix plays the sheriff of a New Mexico town riven by political clashes and pandemic anxieties.

Happening during Ted's re-election campaign, Joe decides to combat Ted by running against him. At home, Joe lives with his stunted wife Louise (Emma Stone), who passes time by painting odd-looking dolls, and his conspiracy theorist mother-in-law, Dawn (Deirdre O'Connell).

Travis Hopsin of Punch Drunk Critics says the fear surrounding the pandemic, Black Lives Matter and the George Floyd protests that’s depicted in Eddington is “designed to enrage us,” but the most terrifying part of Ari Aster’s film is how accurate it is. The critic says:

The reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer banked $2.2 million in previews. A24's Eddington, did $625K. 'Superman' to remain No. 1 with $60M.

The first and maybe only true jump scare in Ari Aster’s “Eddington” comes right at the start. A barefoot old man trudges down the center of a road running through an empty Western town. He’s ranting and incoherently raving as he climbs a craggy hill silhouetted against a twilight sky. He gazes, or maybe glares, out at the town below.

Eddington hits theaters on Friday, July 18, however, if you’d rather relive the trauma of 2020 in the comfort of your own home (a very on-brand move, given the subject matter), there may be good news on the horizon.

Eddington's emotionally charged and politically provocative ending is the perfect darkly ironic climax for 2025's most controversial movie.