Ari Aster’s ‘Eddington,’ Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone, Heads to EFM as A24 Eyes Cannes Debut and Summer Release (EXCLUSIVE)

A24 is bringing “Eddington,” Ari Aster‘s hotly-anticipated contemporary Western thriller starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler, to the European Film Market in Berlin this month, Variety has learned.

Also starring Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward and Clifton Collins Jr., the film is now in post-production and is believed to revolve around a couple stranded in a small New Mexico town during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though they are initially welcomed, the town takes a sinister turn by nightfall. Phoenix portrays the town’s sheriff with ambitious dreams.

Variety also understands that “Eddington” could be in contention for Cannes debut — which would make it Aster’s first film as director to bow at the festival — with A24 targeting a summer release.

Production on “Eddington” kicked off in March 2024, with Aster writing, directing and producing alongside Lars Knudsen under their Square Peg banner. Two-time Academy Award nominee Darius Khondji (“Evita,” “Bardo”) is the director of photography. A24 is financing and producing the movie.

“Eddington” marks the sixth collaboration between Square Peg and A24, which produced and distributed Aster’s previous three films — “Hereditary,” “Midsommar” and “Beau Is Afraid” — as well as “Dream Scenario” and upcoming projects such as “Death of a Unicorn,” “The Drama” and “Primetime.”

A24 will have two other buzzy titles on its EFM slate with “Mother Mary,” David Lowery’s epic pop melodrama starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel with original songs by Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX, and recent Sundance breakout comedy drama “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” starring Rose Byrne in what’s been heralded as her career-best performance.