Joaquin Phoenix couldn't figure out his Eddington character, Joe Cross, until director Ari Aster did something that inadvertently unlocked the role for him.

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:

For south Louisiana natives Blane Aranyosi and Kaleb Naquin, taking a few risks to pursue their dreams in film is worth it. Driving to New Mexico and paying for their hotels were small prices to pay when they got cast in the latest Ari Aster feature,

Joaquin Phoenix breaks down his performance as Joe in Eddington and reveals why he wants to keep working with Ari Aster.

Set in early 2020, the bleak, black comedy takes on COVID, masks, BLM, police violence, Antifa, white guilt, white grievance and the growth of toxic online influencers.

Heredity” and “Midsommar” director Ari Aster takes on contemporary America in “Eddington,” in theaters Friday.