The first sneak peek of Ari Aster’s new feature, Eddington, has been released, and it already has fans wanting more. Aster, being well-established in the film industry with features like 2018’s Hereditary and 2019’s Midsommar under his belt, has critics and audiences alike waiting with bated breath to see what he will create next. Wait no further, as World of Reel showed the first still from the upcoming project. The photo details an indistinguishable Joaquin Phoenix in a white cowboy hat with a matching button-up paired with horn-rimmed glasses and unkempt facial hair. This first promotional photo could be a sign that more material is set to come in the approaching weeks, even days, with Eddington’s premiere at the Cannes Festival in May.

Even though the plot details of Eddington have yet to be released, according to MovieWeb, the feature “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.” From the still, it could be inferred that Phoenix will be playing the town’s sheriff, whose run for mayor seems to create a war between the small town’s community. The rest of the ensemble will include Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, and Michael Ward. 

This isn’t the first time that Phoenix and Aster have joined forces. In 2023, they collaborated on Aster’s Beau Is Afraid, the described “surrealist tragicomedy” that had Phoenix in the title role. The feature received varied reviews, but those positive stated the film was a “horror epic,” and Aster is a professional at “playing with [audience’s] mind[s]”. Though these films could end up completely different, these reviews could give audiences some insight into what they could expect from Eddington.