Eddington Becomes a Streaming Hit Despite an Underwhelming Rotten Tomatoes Score

by

Ari Aster’s new Western thriller from A24 is now available to stream, giving it a second chance after a disappointing performance in theaters this summer.

According to FlixPatrol, the movie Eddington quickly became the most popular film on HBO Max in the United States on November 16, 2025, and it’s still number one today. It’s currently outperforming newer releases like the A24 romantic comedy Materialists (at #4). Eddington boasts a well-known cast including Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Michael Ward, and Austin Butler, and tells a story set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico.

The story unfolds in Eddington, a small town where a tense conflict arises between the sheriff and its residents. This disagreement divides the community after a pandemic strikes, as the mayor enforces lockdowns and mask mandates, increasing the friction. Actress Stone portrays Louise Cross, the sheriff’s wife, amidst this escalating conflict.

The film Eddington premiered in May and had a broader release in July. While critics generally liked it—giving it a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—it didn’t receive the ‘Certified Fresh’ designation. Despite a $25 million production budget, Eddington didn’t perform well in theaters, earning only $13 million worldwide. This makes its recent success on streaming platforms particularly significant.

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes generally praised the acting and director Ari Aster’s work, though some felt the film’s shifts in tone could be frustrating. Viewers acknowledged the movie effectively portrayed the anxieties of the pandemic, but with varying degrees of success. One critic gave it a perfect five-star rating, calling it “completely unexpected” and describing the experience as “wrong and exhilarating, like getting sucker punched!”

One critic gave the film a lukewarm review, awarding it two-and-a-half stars and describing it as deeply upsetting. They praised the cast but expressed disappointment, stating they wouldn’t watch the movie again due to its disturbing content.

Emma Stone’s New Dark Comedy Is Off to a Great Start at the Box Office

Although the new film Eddington is just becoming available on streaming, Emma Stone’s recent movie has been a huge success since its release. Bugonia tells the story of two young men who kidnap a powerful CEO (played by Stone), convinced she’s an alien intent on destroying the planet. The film has already earned a “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics giving it an 86% approval score.

Critics are raving about ‘Bugonia,’ particularly praising the performances of Stone and Jesse Plemons as wildly entertaining. The film, which cost $45 million to make, has already earned $30 million globally since its release in the U.S. on October 24th. Hannah Rose described it as a unique and brilliant film that cleverly reflects the current social and political issues, while still being charmingly quirky and timeless.

Eddington is now streaming on HBO Max.

Read More

2025-11-17 17:07