Pedro Pascal didn’t hold back when addressing the rising political tension in the U.S. during a fiery press conference for Ari Aster’s Eddington at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Sitting alongside Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler, Pascal delivered an impassioned plea to artists everywhere: “[frick] the people that try to make you scared.”
The bold statement came in response to a question about whether the politically charged nature of Eddington — which takes direct aim at the MAGA movement and pandemic-era paranoia — might affect the cast's return to the U.S. “Fear is the way that they win,” Pascal responded. “So keep telling the stories, keep expressing yourself, and keep fighting to be who you are. Don’t let them win.”
The A24-produced film is already making waves, premiering to a five-minute standing ovation at Cannes. Set in May 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eddington tells the story of a volatile standoff between a small-town sheriff (Phoenix) and a mayor (Pascal), spiraling into civil unrest in New Mexico. The film skewers ideological extremism, highlighting both right-wing militias and leftist paranoia.
Pascal, himself a child of political refugees from Chile, spoke candidly about the fear actors face when addressing politically sensitive issues. “I want people to be safe and protected. I want to live on the right side of history,” he said. “My parents fled a dictatorship. We were lucky to be granted asylum. If not for that, who knows what would have happened?”
Director Ari Aster explained his motivation for writing Eddington as stemming from a deep anxiety about the American condition: “Nobody can agree on what’s real anymore,” he said. “COVID was the moment when that link was cut for good. I wanted to make a film about what America feels like to me. I’m very worried.”
Pascal wasn’t alone in his defiance. Robert De Niro, who also appeared at Cannes to receive a lifetime achievement award, echoed similar sentiments, denouncing what he called “America’s philistine president.” Trump recently proposed a 100% tariff on foreign-made films — a move critics say could decimate independent cinema and the global film market.
The politically charged atmosphere at Cannes this year has made headlines, with other stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson in attendance. Meanwhile, Eddington stands out not just for its themes but also for the emotional performances. Phoenix reportedly teared up during the premiere ovation, while critics praised the film’s raw power and unnerving realism.
In Eddington, Aster doesn’t shy away from satire. Emma Stone plays the sheriff’s wife, who becomes entangled with conspiracy theorists obsessed with pedophilia, echoing real-world QAnon narratives. Austin Butler’s role as a charismatic extremist draws on America’s increasing susceptibility to fringe ideologies.
Despite the film’s darker turns, Pascal sees its message as one of empowerment. “This is the perfect way to fight back,” he said. “Telling stories is resistance. And we need to resist.”