The film "Eddington" begins in May 2020 in the small town of Eddington, New Mexico, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sheriff Joe Cross is frustrated with the pandemic restrictions, refusing to wear a mask and advocating for businesses to remain open. He decides to run for mayor against the incumbent, Ted, who is aligned with the town’s elite and supports bringing in a large tech company to boost their wealth. The town is tense, with political and social divisions deepening amid the pandemic and the national unrest following George Floyd’s murder.

Joe attends a fundraiser at Ted’s residence, where tensions escalate. Joe confronts Ted under the guise of a noise complaint. During this confrontation, Ted slaps Joe in front of the guests, humiliating him. This public altercation leaves Joe emotionally shattered and enraged.

That same evening, Joe kills a vagrant and disposes of the body in a nearby river. Later, he uses a sniper rifle to shoot Ted and Ted’s son Eric inside their home from a distance. After killing them, Joe sprays "No Justice, No Peace" on the wall to frame the murders as an Antifa attack, capitalizing on the viral attention Antifa has been receiving. This act marks a turning point, showing Joe’s descent into violence and manipulation.

The investigation into the shootings draws in Officer Butterfly Jimenez, a member of the nearby Pueblo tribe, because the bullets were fired from land under Pueblo jurisdiction. Butterfly becomes suspicious of Joe’s involvement, especially as Joe attempts to frame Michael, a young Black deputy and former boyfriend of Sara, as the killer. Michael is arrested to divert attention from Joe, but Butterfly’s investigation continues, uncovering inconsistencies pointing toward Joe.

Meanwhile, a mysterious private jet arrives carrying heavily armed terrorists who launch an attack on Eddington. They kidnap Michael from the town jail and set multiple fires throughout the town, escalating the chaos. Joe and his ally Guy track Michael into the desert, where Michael warns them to stay back. As they approach, an explosive detonates, killing Guy and severely wounding Michael.

Joe returns to Eddington, now under siege by the terrorists. He becomes a target himself and narrowly escapes their attempts to kill him both in the desert and at his home. Desperate, Joe breaks into a gun store to arm himself. He fires wildly during a prolonged shootout through the empty streets, accidentally shooting Butterfly in the leg. Before Joe can recover, a sniper from the terrorists shoots him, causing severe injury.

Cornered and gravely wounded, Joe is stabbed in the head by one of the terrorists, resulting in significant brain damage. At this critical moment, Brian, a young white man who had been filming the chaos on his phone, intervenes and shoots the terrorist attacking Joe, saving his life.

The film then jumps forward one year. Brian has become a prominent conservative influencer, having gained fame from filming Joe’s rescue. Joe, now paralyzed from the attack, has become the Mayor of Eddington. Dawn, Joe’s caretaker and mother-in-law, speaks publicly on his behalf, using her position to advance her own interests. Meanwhile, Michael, who survived his injuries and is now undersheriff, practices target shooting outside of town. The film closes with a news broadcast showing Vernon and a pregnant Louise at a rally, highlighting the ongoing social and political tensions in Eddington.

Joe and Ted have a heated public altercation in which Ted brutally slaps Joe. Following this, Joe kills both Ted and their son from a distance using a sniper rifle, then sprays 'No Justice, No Peace' on Ted's wall to frame Antifa for the murders.

Michael, who is initially involved in the contested mayoral election and hopes to succeed Joe as sheriff, is kidnapped and severely wounded by extremists. He survives and later becomes undersheriff, practicing target shooting on the outskirts of town one year after the main events.

Extremists attack Eddington, kidnapping Michael and setting fires. During a desert confrontation, an explosive kills Guy and wounds Michael. Joe is targeted by armed men, leading to a shootout where he accidentally shoots Butterfly's leg off and is eventually stabbed but saved by Brian.

After Joe is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair due to the extremist attack, Dawn takes care of him and uses her influence to speak publicly on his behalf, spreading conspiracy theories. She leverages her control over Joe to shape his public statements.

Brian, who saves Joe from being stabbed, becomes a prominent conservative influencer one year later. He capitalizes on his rescue of Joe, who is now the paralyzed mayor of Eddington.

The movie Eddington (2025) is not family friendly and is rated R due to its mature content. It contains graphic violence, including extremely gory scenes with shootings and injuries, strong language, graphic nudity (including non-sexual male nudity), and disturbing themes such as verbal references to sexual violence and intense social conflict. These elements make it inappropriate for children and sensitive viewers, especially those under 17, and even mature teens may find it too disturbing.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

• Graphic and realistic violence with bloody injuries and shootings.
• Strong, crude, and offensive language.
• Graphic nudity, though not sexual acts.
• Disturbing social and political themes reflecting harsh realities and societal division.
• Emotional heaviness and intense conflict that may be unsettling.

Parents are strongly advised to preview the film before allowing teens to watch and to discuss its harsh themes if older teens view it. The film’s tone is grim, satirical, and disorienting, with a brutal and chaotic narrative style.