Joaquin Phoenix’s new western Eddington draws 5-minute standing ovation at Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival came alive on May 16, 2025, as Ari Aster's new Western, Eddington, opened to deafening applause on the Croisette. Pegged by Joaquin Phoenix's intense performance of a morally tormented sheriff, the film quickly won over critics and audiences. Stories soon leaked that Joaquin Phoenix's new western Eddington received a five-minute standing ovation at Cannes, a reflection on both its incendiary storytelling as well as the actor's visceral, emotional performance.

Audiences roundly applauded Aster's bold mix of satire and social critique—a bold deconstruction of America's pandemic-era fears. Pedro Pascal, Aster's co-star, joined Phoenix on stage to take the accolade, while Aster himself cracked his own surprise at the fanfare. Packed with its cast of stars—Emma Stone and Austin Butler among them—and its probing critique of disinformation and division, Eddington was one of this year's most buzzed-about films at Cannes.

Ari Aster’s star-studded Eddington stuns Cannes with powerful performance from Phoenix

As soon as the lights went down, Eddington took the Palais des Festivals hostage, as Joaquin Phoenix brought Sheriff Joe Cross—a man conflicted between duty and disillusion—to life in a performance that has many labeling it as one of the highlights of his career so far.

The movie tracks Cross's fall into political mayhem after he chooses to contest the election as mayor against Pedro Pascal's high-tech incumbent, within the context of a tiny New Mexico town struggling with COVID-19 measures and the wake of countrywide protests. As the last credits played, the crowd stood up, clapping in thunderous ovation for a record-breaking five minutes unbroken, during which Phoenix was clearly reduced to tears. Aster went on to grab the microphone, stating,

“I feel very privileged to be here. This is a dream come true,”

Critics on the ground observed how Phoenix's well-balanced performance—remaining gritty yet vulnerable—formed the film's emotional center, elevating Aster's biting, satirical script to something deeply human.

What is Eddington all about?

Eddington is not a typical Western. Filmed in May 2020, it is a dark comedy and suspense thriller of the fracturing of American society. Directed by Ari Aster, who is most famous for horror films such as Hereditary and Midsommar, Phoenix again joins him with whom he had previously worked on the critically acclaimed 2023 film Beau Is Afraid.

Emma Stone stars as Louise Cross, Joe’s wife, whose eerie obsession with doll-making mirrors the community’s descent into fear and conspiracy. Austin Butler appears as a charismatic cult-leader figure whose influence exacerbates local tensions, while Pedro Pascal shines as the incumbent mayor, championing tech-driven solutions that many view as hollow.

Behind the scenes, A24 keeps its streak going with its incendiary fare, supporting Aster's vision with a script co-written with longtime collaborator Lars von Trier. Cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski frames New Mexico's barren landscapes in wide shots, contrasting the town's quaint charm with the characters' inner struggles.

Composer Daniel Pemberton (known for his work on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) teams with The Haxan Cloak to deliver a score that oscillates between haunting folk melodies and pulsing electronic rhythms, underlining the film’s thematic dualities. Initial reactions highlight the film's ability to confront timely issues-pandemic fatigue, political polarisation, disinformation-while never losing sight of its darkly comic heartbeat.​

Eddington's glorious Cannes debut not only solidifies Ari Aster's status as a daring filmmaker but also features Joaquin Phoenix at his peak. This movie, full of social commentary, strong characters, and a tour-de-force lead performance, justified its lengthy ovation and will fuel discussions well after its July release.

For fans of daring cinema, Eddington represents a bold chapter in the ever-evolving landscape of the Western, reminding us why festivals like Cannes remain vital forums for artistic innovation.