Eddington

In May 2020, a drunken homeless man named Lodge is seen wandering the outskirts of Eddington, New Mexico. He incoherently babbles as he passes a sign for the upcoming SolidGoldMagikarp data company, hinting at its future significance. The scene sets a tone of chaos and uncertainty at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Ted Garcia enforces lockdowns and mask mandates to combat COVID-19, reflecting the early pandemic response. Sheriff Joe Cross resists these policies, citing asthma and personal beliefs, leading to conflicts with authorities and the community. Joe is seen defying mask rules at a supermarket to support a denied patron.

Joe publicly announces his run for mayor via a video, positioning himself as a defender of freedom and unity during COVID-19. His campaign begins to challenge Mayor Ted Garcia, highlighting political tensions in the town. His declaration causes concern among his family and supporters.

Joe's relationship with his wife Louise strains as he campaigns against Ted. Meanwhile, Ted hosts a Zoom conference about SolidGoldMagikarp, and his son Eric is seen socializing with others despite pandemic restrictions. The community shows signs of political and social division.

Joe's attempt at making amends with Louise by cooking dinner is interrupted when Vernon Jefferson Peak, a cult leader with a traumatic past, arrives with followers. Vernon shares about his past trafficking and abuse, prompting Louise to reveal her own childhood trauma. The dinner becomes a tense gathering of personal confessions.

The murder of George Floyd sparks nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. A video of Joe’s confrontation with Lodge goes viral, amplifying concerns about police brutality. Joe, along with other officers, attempts to disperse protests while protestors take a knee in remembrance of Floyd.

Joe and supporters film a smear campaign accusing Ted Garcia of sexually assaulting Louise, which sparks further political intrigue. Louise responds publicly to clarify she was abused but not by Ted, and then she leaves town with Vernon, abandoning Joe amidst his mounting troubles.

After a party at Ted’s house, Joe is called to shut down loud music but is assaulted by Ted, who slaps him in front of guests. Disillusioned, Joe later visits the bar where Lodge is drinking and ranting about revenge. Joe impulsively shoots Lodge, killing him and disposing of his body in a lake.

Joe kills Ted and Eric Cross with a sniper rifle from a distance in a planned attack. The murders are staged as an attack by 'Antifa extremists' to cover his tracks, but the investigation begins as Pueblo officers find shell casings and connect the crime to Joe. His mental state and actions become increasingly unstable.

Joe is targeted when a dumpster fire and an explosive kill a deputy and injure Michael, with 'NO PEACE' written in flames. Real extremists attack Joe with gunfire, leading to a violent confrontation at his home. Joe arms himself, but in the chaos, he is shot in the head by extremists, and Brian records the killing spree.

Joe survives the attack but is left in a vegetative state. Despite his condition, he is elected mayor in the subsequent election. Dawn, his caretaker, and Louise—now pregnant with Vernon’s child—appear in new scenes, reflecting ongoing familial and political turmoil.

On the outskirts of town, Michael is shown practicing on a shooting range, ending with a headshot target practice. This closing scene implies ongoing violence and dark developments in the characters' futures, leaving a bleak outlook for the town.