Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso Director Ari Aster (‘Eddington’) Has Made an American Western for 2025
Jul 20, 2025
Writer-director Ari Aster, known for psychological thrillers like Hereditary and Midsommar, explores his latest film, Eddington, a COVID-era western. He discusses the influences of iconic directors like Altman and Stone, as well as the emotional challenges of crafting a divisive narrative. Aster reflects on his early movie experiences and the impact of the pandemic on creativity. He also touches upon the tension between human connection and the rise of AI in filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of empathy in storytelling.
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Writing Eddington in Lockdown
- Ari Aster wrote the first draft of Eddington quickly during May-June 2020 to capture the moment's fever pitch.
- He wanted to portray the broad social and political tension in the American Southwest amidst the pandemic.
Living in Different Realities
- Ari Aster believes people now live in different realities and can't agree on what's happening.
- He made Eddington to explore conflicts arising when opposing realities collide and create new dynamics.
Childhood Horror Film Collector
- Ari Aster as a kid obsessively collected horror film stills and drew them compulsively.
- This habit developed from a natural impulse to gather and reference memorable images for creativity.