Joaquin Phoenix’s New Film Sparks Split Critics—Pedro Pascal Continues Winning Streak

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After the less-than-satisfying sequel titled “Joker: Folie à Deux“, he’s back. The Academy Award-winning actor has reunited with Ari Aster (known for his works like “Hereditary, Midsommar“) following their 2023 collaboration on the film “Beau Is Afraid.“.

The movie, titled “[Title]”, made its grand debut at the Cannes Film Festival as a high-profile neo-Western with a political undertone. Following the world premiere, it was [Eddington] that didn’t leave a lasting impression, debuting to mixed reviews with a 67% score from critics on [Rotten Tomatoes].

After debuting at Cannes, the film Eddington currently holds 67% approval from 12 critics, which is enough to keep the “fresh” label. Although the rating may change as more reviews pour in and during its summer release, the movie’s mixed reviews don’t deter it from starting off on a promising note due to its impressive cast.

1. To begin with, numerous praises are given for the movie ‘Eddington’. Sophie Monks Kaufman finds it to be “Aster’s funniest film yet,” and she appreciates how it employs a constantly changing cast to pepper the 150-minute length with sharp comic observations and visual rewards.

2. In addition, Josh Korngut brings attention to the fact that “Eddington, Ari Aster’s fourth film, strips off America’s facade of decency completely,” revealing the decay beneath, which symbolizes the long-standing chaos we’ve been nurturing.

Owen Gleiberman refers to Aster as an engaging filmmaker, emphasizing that in his fourth movie, Aster discards any trace of conventional art-house liberalism, instead embracing the horror genre. He notes that while Eddington isn’t strictly a horror film, it touches upon a type of madness you’ll recognize with a shiver.

In their reviews, Kevin Maher and Raphael Abraham point out that the film appears uncertain about its message regarding the central theme. While it delves into the peculiarities and indicators of the pandemic, it seems to neglect the essential elements of drama and character development significantly. This sentiment is mirrored by Abraham, who suggests that instead of providing a coherent response to the confusion brought on by the pandemic, the movie resembles an enlarged version of numerous social media posts asking “What on earth is happening?” rather than a thoughtful reaction to them.

In the fictional city of Eddington, New Mexico, Eddington finds himself caught in the midst of political and social upheaval triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. This turbulence unfolds as a confrontation between the town’s sheriff, Phoenix, and mayor, Pascal, escalates to a volatile situation. Alongside Phoenix and Pascal, the cast includes Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, and Clifton Collins Jr. In simpler terms, Eddington watches as tensions between the sheriff and mayor in Eddington, New Mexico, escalate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with additional characters including Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, and Clifton Collins Jr.

Eddington Continues an Exciting Trend for Pedro Pascal, But a Mixed One for Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix, who won an Academy Award for his acting skills, is widely recognized as one of the most talented actors of his era. Throughout his career, he has appeared in numerous highly-regarded productions. Nevertheless, his recent films have received varying responses. After triumphing at the Oscars for his performance in 2019’s “Joker,” he starred in the critically praised “C’mon C’mon” in 2021. More recently, he featured in Aster’s “Beau Is Afraid,” with a split reception from critics (68%) and audiences (71%).

Subsequently, he teamed up with Ridley Scott again for the historical epic “Napoleon“, which unfortunately did not achieve the success it was intended to have. The movie garnered the same sentiment from both critics and viewers, earning a 58% approval rating from both groups. Similarly, his subsequent film, “Joker: Folie à Deux“, followed this pattern, receiving only 31% approval from both critics and the public. Interestingly, “Eddington ” began with a “fresh” label, but it remains a long way off from becoming a major hit.

Currently, Pedro Pascal is receiving high praise from critics. Notably, his recent projects have received “fresh” ratings, with some even earning Certified Fresh and Verified Hot badges. For instance, in 2023’s Strange Way of Life, he scored a 78% from critics but unfortunately only 54% from the audience. Drive-Away Dolls, released in 2024, managed a passable 63%, but a dismal 37% on the Popcornmeter. The Wild Robot, with a 96% and 98%, boasts Certified Fresh and Verified Hot badges, while Freaky Tales garnered 74% from critics and 89% from audiences. Additionally, he was praised in The Uninvited, earning a 78% from the critics. His latest work, Eddington, has also received a 67%.

Eddington premieres in theaters on July 18.

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2025-05-17 00:28