Ari Aster’s latest film, Eddington, is a thought-provoking exploration of modern society’s fragmentation due to social media and the internet. The director drew inspiration from his own Twitter feed and created an immersive experience by incorporating real-life conspiracy theories and memes into the story.
Eddington takes place in a small southwest American town during the height of the pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement, where characters are divided by their online personas and reality checks collide. Aster masterfully weaves together themes of technological progress, artificial intelligence, and human disconnection to create a visually stunning and unsettling film.
The movie delves into conspiracy theories and podcasters who spread misinformation for influence and profit, while exploring the blurring of lines between truth and fiction in an era of “total distrust.” Aster’s use of AI-generated imagery raises questions about its impact on artistic expression and the future of filmmaking.
As the film hurtles towards a violent confrontation, reality is replaced by video game-like logic, leaving the audience to ponder the meaning behind Eddington’s enigmatic ending. While Aster leaves some interpretations open, he emphasizes that social media has broken our brains, and the only way to repair our shattered worldview is to come together across divisions.
By capturing the incoherent miasma of online discourse, Aster offers a scathing critique of modern society’s reliance on technology, yet invites viewers to engage with the complexities rather than dismiss them as alienating. Eddington is a thought-provoking film that will leave you questioning the world we live in and our place within it.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/eddington-director-ari-aster-couldnt-stand-living-in-the-internet-so-he-made-a-movie-about-it