NY Times Critic Curses ‘Eddington’ Director for Mocking BLM

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Stephen Colbert wouldn’t touch it.

Nor would Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers or Jimmy Kimmel.

“Saturday Night Live?” As they say in New York, fuhgeddaboudit!!

Black Lives Matter (BLM) gained significant attention and cultural relevance after the death of George Floyd, which was a turning point for them. However, their impact has significantly decreased since then. Financial mismanagement allegations have contributed to this decline in influence.

So will a ghastly social media post cheering on rape and murder.

Mainstream comedy platforms adopted a more passive stance towards the movement out of concern about upsetting their progressive audience members (and possibly revealing uncomfortable realities).

Ari Aster isn’t afraid.

In a thought-provoking manner, the director’s latest production, titled “Eddington,” critiques both Black Lives Matter (BLM) and its supporters who are non-Black. This film transports us to May 2020, a period marked by strict pandemic measures across the country. Simultaneously, it was a time when the BLM movement gained prominence in response to George Floyd’s death during an encounter with police.

If you haven’t seen “The Fall of Minneapolis,” it’s worth a watch. This movie challenges several stories about George Floyd’s death that have been widely circulated by mainstream media.

Aster may not openly express his political views like certain celebrities in Hollywood, but Eddington satirically criticizes all factions involved in the ongoing cultural dispute. His characters are frequently found engrossed in their smartphones, consuming various conspiracy theories on a daily basis.

It’s far from flattering.

In this imaginary New Mexico village, the locals often rally behind the BLM movement, particularly its younger, predominantly white inhabitants. However, it’s clear that their understanding of the cause is somewhat lacking.

It’s clear that this is a form of satire, friends. However, esteemed film critic Manohla Dargis from The New York Times seems quite agitated by it.

The review under discussion was aired on “The Last Thing I Saw” podcast, with the specific episode being published towards the end of May. This episode corresponded to the film’s premiere at Cannes. Aster’s movie sparked mixed opinions upon release, which is typical given his films such as “Midsommar” and “Beau Is Afraid”.

Here’s what Dargis said about the film (and her reaction to it) on the podcast:

Dargis stated that the movie is extremely affordable, almost too much so. Since Aster isn’t a renowned director, he can’t pull off the emptiness of his concepts. Dargis found it quite disturbing.

At present, and considering the current state of affairs in the U.S., the film appears strikingly outdated. It seems to overlook – it’s not a matter of power struggle. Instead, it focuses on individual characters and their responses to these prevailing forces. There are numerous subtle hints that give away its age.

In simpler terms, one character, played by Joaquin Phoenix as a white sheriff who’s skeptical of BLM protests and mask mandates, resides in a modest dwelling. On the other hand, Pedro Pascal’s character, a progressive Latino mayor, lives in a quite lavish, brightly-lit house without explicitly stating his political leanings.

I strongly disapprove of Ari Aster’s recent actions. Frankly, I find it insensitive given the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. We might not be in the throes of a pandemic anymore, but people are still losing their lives to this disease. I believe it’s crucial for everyone, particularly white individuals, to question and reflect on their privilege. In my opinion, Ari Aster should do the same.

Is it surprising that late-night talk show hosts like the Jimmys have avoided making jokes about Black Lives Matter recently, as Dargis and other progressives might change the channel in disapproval?

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2025-07-21 18:03