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Is Eddington based on a true story?

Eddington shows a rivalry between a sheriff and a mayor, leading to violence and chaos in a small New Mexico town
  • A still from Eddington © A24
    A still from Eddington © A24

    Eddington is an American Neo-Western satirical black comedy film, written and directed by Ari Aster. After its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, it was released by A24 on July 18, 2025. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone, the film explores political and social tensions in a small New Mexican town. 

    In Eddington, New Mexico, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) and current Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) are running for mayor. Cross falsely accuses Garcia of domestic violence, which leads to violent actions.

    It worsens their political rivalry. Cross kills Garcia and his family, and blames the protesters for it. 

    Throughout the film, there is a portrayal of the pandemic turmoil through a fictionalized plot. While it is not based entirely on a true story, it uses the backdrop of the socio-political landscape of 2020.


    Does the story of Eddington have a connection with true events?

    No, Eddington is not based on a true story. There is political conflict, social unrest, and public health crises in the movie, but the story is made up. The movie takes place during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. 

    The movie has its focus on the real-world problems, like political division and debates about public health. However, Eddington doesn't directly use historical events in the story. Gradually, the film focuses on power and revenge against the background of the chaos.

    The film is based on the fight for the position of mayor between Sheriff Joe Cross and Mayor Ted Garcia.

    Through a made-up story, Eddington looks at how the rise of authoritarianism, societal divides, and the mental toll of living through a crisis affecting people and communities. 


    Plot of Eddington

    In Eddington, the story takes place in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in a small New Mexico town. The plot revolves around a mayoral election between Sheriff Joe Cross and Mayor Ted Garcia. Joe Cross, a sheriff, challenges the incumbent Mayor Ted Garcia.
    The conflict escalates when Joe falsely accuses Ted of abusing his wife, Louise.

    This accusation strains Ted’s marriage and deepens the rivalry between the two men. Joe becomes increasingly desperate and violent as the election approaches.

    Joe’s violence reaches its peak when he murders Ted and his son, Eric, using a sniper rifle. He frames the killings as the work of protestors, making the situation worse.

    Joe continues his rampage, killing several others, including a displaced man and a teenager.
    As the film progresses, Joe kills a loyal officer he once mentored.

    The arrival of a masked gunman intensifies the violence, with the gunman killing some of Joe’s enemies and nearly killing Joe.

    In the final scenes, Joe is left alive after a violent confrontation with the gunman. His political aspirations are manipulated by his mother-in-law, Dawn, who uses Joe’s condition to further her own goals.

    The movie ends with the town left in chaos and Joe's rise to power thwarted by his actions and manipulation.

    The cast of Eddington features Joaquin Phoenix as Sheriff Joe Cross, a mayoral candidate, and Pedro Pascal as the incumbent mayor, Ted Garcia. 

    Emma Stone plays Joe's wife, Louise, while Austin Butler portrays Vernon Jefferson Peak, a radical cult leader.

    Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, and Micheal Ward take on key supporting roles as Sheriff’s officers and family members.

    Additional cast includes Clifton Collins Jr., William Belleau, and Matt Gomez Hidaka, among others.


    Eddington is now running in theaters.
     

    TOPICS: Eddington