Ari Aster, the visionary filmmaker behind Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid, has unveiled the first teaser for his next upcoming project, Eddington. Set against the backdrop of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film promises a darkly satirical exploration of societal unrest and personal turmoil.

The teaser, released by A24, presents a montage of social media posts and news footage dated June 2, 2020, in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico. Through the lens of an Instagram feed, viewers glimpse Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) warning, "If you value your life, you should think twice, because the people of Eddington like guns." Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) appears in a press conference addressing the pandemic, while Louise Cross (Emma Stone) delivers a cryptic denial of her husband's announcement. The teaser culminates with the revelation that the viewer has been watching the sheriff's screen as he doomscrolls through the chaos. 

Eddington marks Aster's first foray into the Western genre, blending elements of black comedy and psychological drama. The film's ensemble cast includes Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, and Micheal Ward. Cinematographer Darius Khondji (Uncut Gems, Mickey 17) is set to deliver his signature chaotic flair behind the camera, while composer Bobby Krlic, a previous collaborator with Aster on Midsommar and Beau is Afraid, returns to lend his talents to the project as well.

The film is scheduled to premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in May, with a theatrical release set for July 18, 2025. As anticipation builds, Eddington is poised to offer a haunting reflection on a tumultuous period in recent history, one that many films haven’t been bold enough to touch, all filtered through Aster's distinctively dark cinematic lens.