EDDINGTON is an upcoming 2025 American contemporary Western movie, written and directed by Ari Aster. Known for his distinct storytelling style, Aster teams up again with producer Lars Knudsen under their Square Peg banner. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone.
EDDINGTON follows a layered narrative shaped by personal unrest, mysterious disappearances, and the blurred lines between myth and truth. But beyond its notable plot and cast, what truly shapes the atmosphere of EDDINGTON is where it was filmed.
EDDINGTON STORY
The Movie set in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico, during the chaotic summer of 2020. With a population of just around 2,600, Eddington becomes a microcosm of national unrest, social division, and personal breakdown. At the center of the story is Joe Cross, played by Joaquin Phoenix, a weary and disillusioned sheriff who finds himself pulled into a storm of pandemic paranoia, political tension, and personal demons.
The story starts in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. People in town used to respect Joe, but now he feels lost and increasingly alone. At the grocery store, Joe defends a man who won’t wear a mask, which starts the fight. Since COVID hasn’t reached Eddington yet, it becomes a good place for denial, plots, and misguided rebellion.
Joe’s view on masks turns political very quickly. He decides to run against Mayor Ted Garcia (played by Pedro Pascal) in the next election because he is angry, wants to feel important, and is becoming more and more interested in conspiracy theories.Their conflict is personal as well as political, complicated by Garcia’s past relationship with Joe’s wife Louise (portrayed by Emma Stone) and her mother Dawn (Deirdre O’Connell), a staunch believer in internet-fueled conspiracies who bombards her family with misinformation.
Joe, in a bid for relevance, begins driving around with slogans and symbols that reflect his increasingly radical beliefs. People all over the country are becoming foot soldiers in ideological battles, and his actions are a reflection of that. Joe’s mental health gets worse as Eddington’s disagreements get worse. He acts erratically and without warning, and his campaign goes from being about appealing to the people to something more dangerous.
Meanwhile, Louise starts to be influenced by a mysterious online figure (played by Austin Butler), who becomes the face of viral disinformation in the story. His vague but incendiary rhetoric resonates with the town’s increasingly restless residents. As violence begins to surface, younger characters—portrayed by Micheal Ward, Luke Grimes, Cameron Mann, Matt Gomez Hidaka, and William Belleau—get swept into
the chaos, manipulated by adults seeking control or purpose.
When nationwide protests about the death of George Floyd reach Eddington, things get very tense. Intolerance and racism in the town break out, and Joe, who is torn between duty and delusion, becomes unstable. His actions get crazier and more dangerous until they reach a violent peak that shows how uneasy things are in America as a whole.
WHERE WAS EDDINGTON FILMED?
The principal photography for EDDINGTON took place between March 11, 2024 and May 17, 2024. The whole shoot took place in New Mexico, mostly in Albuquerque and Truth or Consequences, two areas that have become popular filming locations recently because of their unique looks and easy-to-use infrastructure.
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
The film was mostly shot in and around Albuquerque, which is the state’s largest city. Albuquerque was used for many scenes because it had both urban and rural looks. It was known for its vast desert landscapes, historic buildings, and well-established film facilities. Albuquerque’s role in EDDINGTON was both practical and creative. He had access to experienced crews, studios, and help with logistics.
Albuquerque has been the site of many major movie productions in the past. Because it can look like a lot of different places, filmmakers who want a wide range of looks, from dirty towns to wide open plains, love to use it. For EDDINGTON, the city had the right buildings for setting up complicated scenes, production offices, and indoor scenes that needed to be shot in a controlled environment.
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NEW MEXICO
One of the standout locations used in EDDINGTON is Truth or Consequences (T or C)—a small town in Sierra County located along the Rio Grande. This neighborhood, which was often just called T or C, became a great place to film Aster’s vision.
The town used to be called Hot Springs, but in 1950, it was renamed after a popular radio quiz show. The town has a mix of old-fashioned Americana, natural beauty and rustic charm. Filmmakers were drawn to its authenticity and unspoiled landscapes.
Truth or Consequences contributed significantly to the tone and mood of the film. With surrounding desert plains, geothermal hot springs, and quiet main streets, the area brings a raw, isolated energy to the screen—ideal for a contemporary Western. The film’s outdoor scenes, including dusty roads, small-town exteriors, and expansive horizons, were likely filmed here.
According to nmfilm.com, Local officials praised the economic impact of hosting a production of this scale. State Representative Tara Jaramillo remarked that it wasn’t just about bringing cinema to rural New Mexico—it was about revitalizing local economies by creating jobs for caterers, carpenters, and camera operators, while also boosting business for area motels and restaurants.
WHY NEW MEXICO?
The choice of New Mexico was more than aesthetic. Thanks to the state’s film tax credit program, filmmakers are encouraged to shoot in rural areas, expanding job opportunities and economic growth beyond the main Albuquerque-Santa Fe corridor. In fiscal year 2023, production spending in areas outside the central film zone reached $21 million. That number has climbed even higher in the current fiscal year, exceeding $36 million, as projects like EDDINGTON continue to bring large-scale filming to rural regions.
828 Productions’ Todd Lundbohm emphasized the importance of the region: “The state’s natural beauty and talented workforce provide the perfect backdrop for this compelling story.” Similarly, Amber Dodson, Director of the New Mexico Film Office, praised the area’s reputation: “New Mexico is established as a premier production hub where projects of all genres come to life.”
EDDINGTON uses its New Mexico locations not just as scenery, but as an integral part of its storytelling. The film captures the raw beauty and emotional resonance of the Southwest, showcasing the best of what the state has to offer.
For more updates, on filming locations, don’t forget to stop by netfilming.com again soon.
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