Movie review

Early days of pandemic become a powder keg in tense movie Eddington

Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in Eddington.

Photo courtesy of A24

The coronavirus pandemic had a profound impact on the entire world, one that has been shown in various ways by movies and TV shows. However, even though a number of productions have attempted to show what life was like during the early days of the pandemic, few have tried to truly reckon with the way lockdowns and restrictions changed people.

Filmmaker provocateur Ari Aster does just that in Eddington, set in a fictional small town in New Mexico in early 2020 that proves to be a microcosm of the debates taking place worldwide at that time. Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) is not a fan of mask mandates or other restrictions imposed by the government, while mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) tries to lead by example in an effort to keep his community safe.

The men butt heads not just on how to deal with the pandemic, but also over a personal history involving Joe’s wife, Louise (Emma Stone). When news of the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota makes its way to town, it starts a slow simmer among the town’s youth population, putting even more stress on Joe and his small department. Conspiracy theories, white guilt, partisan politics, cults, and more combine to make the community into a powder keg that threatens to explode at the slightest provocation.

Aster (Midsommar, Beau is Afraid) takes aim at all sides in a film that’s part satire and part thriller. No matter how each viewer reacted to the pandemic, the film offers at least a character or two that will come close to representing their viewpoint. Although opinions may differ, it seems clear that Aster is not portraying one side as “right” or more righteous than the other. What he is doing is demonstrating just how much was happening in a short period of time, and how those things could negatively affect anyone.

On the flip side, the film also challenges viewers with viewpoints that may not match their own, which can make for an uncomfortable experience at times. The reactions various characters have to certain events range from rational to wholly unexpected, and Aster seems to delight in keeping the audience on their toes the entire time. This is especially true when violence rears its ugly head, resulting in some intense and upsetting scenes.

Not everything in the film lands, though. A subplot involving Louise and Vernon (Austin Butler), a cult leader who preys on her fears, feels tacked on, with no relation to the film as a whole. In fact, the character of Louise is a misfire in general, one whose purpose makes little sense. Aster also lets (asks?) some actors speak in almost inaudible tones at various points in the film, a frustrating experience in a film as dialogue-heavy as this one.

Phoenix loves to dig into off-kilter characters, and this one ranks high on that scale. Even if you don’t enjoy what his character does, it’s hard to fault the performance that brings him to life. Most of Pascal’s scenes are with Phoenix, and while he matches Phoenix’s energy, the lower key nature of his character leaves him overshadowed. The nature of the film means few others make an impact, although Deidre O’Connell as Joe’s passive-aggressive mother-in-law and William Belleau as Officer Jiminiz Butterfly stand out in their scenes.

Few of us would volunteer to go back to the baffling days of early 2020, but Eddington does a great job of examining what was happening at the time and how events united some and divided others. It’s not a feel-good film, but it is one that will make viewers re-examine their reactions at the time and how those influenced the current reality.

---

Eddington is now playing in theaters.

coronavirus pandemic film movies

Weekend Event Planner

These are the 15 best things to do in Dallas this Thanksgiving weekend

Photo courtesy of Prairie Lights

Prairie Lights opens at Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie on November 27.

Holiday events ramp up across Dallas this Thanksgiving weekend. Best bets include a new outdoor ice rink, several theater productions, two productions of The Nutcracker, a big lights debut, two popular music concerts, and a screening of a classic holiday movie with the star in attendance.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this Thanksgiving weekend. If you want more options, check out the calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events.

Wednesday, November 26

CultureMap City Rink
CultureMap is skating into the holidays with a festive holiday ice rink in the heart of downtown Dallas. The CultureMap City Rink presented by Verizon will transform Main Street Garden into a festive winter destination, complete with themed programming, community events, and special experiences throughout the season. The rink will be open daily through January 5; a tree lighting ceremony will take place Friday, November 28. Ice rinks are a big trend this holiday season; for more options, check out this story.

Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party
Mickey’s Search Party is an adventure filled with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics, and unexpected stunts. Audiences can look for clues in the search for Tinker Bell through immersive, fantastic worlds, explore the colorful spirit realm of Coco, sail away with Moana as she bravely saves her island, see Belle in the sky as the enchanted chandelier comes to life, and sing-along with Elsa in the icy world of Frozen. The Disney On Ice production will have eight performances through Sunday at Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen.

Thursday, November 27

Grand Prairie Parks, Arts and Recreation presents Prairie Lights
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Prairie Lights is a two-mile, drive-through holiday park experience that showcases a display of more than 4 million lights arranged in hundreds of festive holiday scenes throughout the park. At the halfway point, guests can exit their vehicle to enjoy carnival rides, concessions, photos with Santa, the magical walk-thru forest, and holiday shopping. The second half of the drive ends with the new-and-improved light tunnel. The event at Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie runs through December 31. For the ultimate guide to Dallas-area Christmas lights, go here.

Friday, November 28

Grapevine Vintage Railroad presents North Pole Express
Guests can board the North Pole Express for a festive journey featuring traditional Christmas sing-alongs, Christmas characters, and photos and interaction with Santa. Rides on the train also include special surprises onboard and family-friendly entertainment. The North Pole Express will depart from Grapevine Vintage Railroad almost every day through December 30.

Christmas at the Anatole
The Hilton Anatole will transform into a dazzling wonderland, where guests can celebrate the season with experiences ranging from ice skating and train rides to winter chalets, seasonal bites, and entertainment. For an extra cost, visitors can have Breakfast With Santa on select dates, which includes festive activities and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event is open daily through January 4.

Frostival at Howell Family Farms
At Frostival, visitors can step into a glowing winter dream, where holiday magic comes alive under a dazzling canopy of festive lights. Guests can wander through the enchanting Trail of Lights, sip on hot cocoa, and enjoy seasonal crafts. The event also includes free professional photos with Santa and a chance to meet holiday characters up close. The event takes place at Howell Family Farms through December 28.

Dallas Theater Center presents A Christmas Carol
Embark on a magical Christmas Eve adventure with Ebenezer Scrooge as three otherworldly spirits whisk him away on a breathtaking journey of hope and redemption. From the nostalgic warmth of Christmases past to the stark truths of the present and the ominous shadows of the future, Scrooge’s journey is a spectacle of wonder. Prepare for dazzling visuals, enchanting melodies, and a heartwarming tale that celebrates the transformative power of the holiday spirit. The annual production from Dallas Theater Center runs through December 27 at Wyly Theatre.

Chamberlain Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Chamberlain Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition that captures the joy of the season. Young Clara goes on a magical journey, through the enchanting Kingdom of Snow to the playful Kingdom of Sweets, where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Chamberlain Ballet will feature American Ballet Theatre’s newest Principal dancer, Chloe Misseldine, as the Sugar Plum Fairy dancing alongside Tyler Angle of New York City Ballet. There will also be guest artists from Bruce Wood Dance Dallas in soloist roles. There will be three performances through Sunday at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

Repertory Company Theatre presents The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Show
The Great Gatsby is the classic story of the 1920s Jazz Age. Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan. Nick Carraway, a young newcomer to Long Island, is drawn into their world of obsession, greed, and danger. The production will have three performances through Sunday at Repertory Company Theatre in Richardson.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Ravel’s Rapsodie Espagnole"
Piano virtuoso Javier Perianes returns to perform Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain. The Spanish-flavored concert culminates in Rapsodie Espagnole, Ravel’s orchestral masterpiece. The concert will also feature Ravel's Alborada del gracioso (Morning Song of a Jester) and Falla's El sombrero de tres picos (The Three-Cornered Hat). The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform three times through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.

Pocket Sandwich Theatre presents Ebenezer Scrooge
Ebenezer Scrooge is a holiday tradition, shown at Pocket Sandwich Theatre every year since 1981. The show is based on the age-old holiday favorite about the miserly Scrooge, who is visited one Christmas Eve by three ghosts intent on helping him change his ways. The tale of love, redemption and forgiveness captures the true spirit and magic of the holiday season for the whole family. The production runs through December 23 at Pocket Sandwich Theatre in Carrollton.

Texas Ballet Theater presents The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a cherished tradition that offers a world of enchantment where snowflakes swirl, dreams come to life, and holiday magic fills the air. Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and Ben Stevenson, O.B.E.’s choreography awaken the holiday spirit for audiences. Texas Ballet Theater's annual production runs through December 7 at Winspear Opera House.

David Byrne in concert
Singer David Byrne has had a career that would be the envy of most other musicians. He came to fame with the rock band Talking Heads, releasing eight albums in the 1970s and '80s, a run that included the iconic concert film Stop Making Sense. He's also released 11 other solo or collaborative albums; won an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Grammy for his score for 1987's The Last Emperor; and was given a Special Tony Award for David Byrne's American Utopia. He'll play on Friday and Saturday at the Music Hall at Fair Park in support of his 2025 album, Who is the Sky?.

Sunday, November 30

A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin: Home Alone 35th Anniversary
This special event features a 35th anniversary screening of the timeless classic, Home Alone, followed by an exclusive moderated interview and audience Q&A with star Macaulay Culkin. Culkin will talk about his experiences on set, his favorite memories from filming, and his take on why this movie has become such a beloved holiday classic. The event takes place at Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie.

Katseye in concert
Many people are now familiar with the genre of K-Pop, but Katseye has taken things further and become maybe the world's first "global girl group." Boasting members from Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States, the six-member group was formed through the 2023 reality competition series Dream Academy. After making their recording debut in 2024, the group got even bigger with the release of their 2025 EP, Beautiful Chaos, featuring the hit song "Gnarly." They'll perform at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.

Photo courtesy of Prairie Lights

Prairie Lights opens at Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie on November 27.

holidays kids families theater music dance symphony concerts movies event-planner