Deterioration of human behavior unfolds on an isolated island, as cast members of 'Eden' resort to unsavory conduct amidst its picturesque settings
In the upcoming film "Eden," directed by Ron Howard, audiences are transported to a remote island in the Galapagos, where a group of disenchanted Europeans seek a radical reboot of society in rugged isolation.
The film features a charged ensemble of clashing characters, including the German botanist Dr. Friedrich Ritter, played by Jude Law, and his partner Dore, portrayed by Vanessa Kirby. They are joined by idealistic war veteran Heinz Wittmer (Daniel Bruhl) and his wife Margret (Sydney Sweeney), who are looking for a new, self-sufficient way of life for their family.
Ana de Armas plays the grandiose Baroness Eloise, who claims Floreana as the future site of an exclusive luxury resort called Hacienda Paradiso and pits the main characters against each other. The cinematography in "Eden" gives the island a sickly, uninviting sheen, adding to the tension and unease that permeates the film.
"Eden" is a tense, dark meditation about what makes us human, and at times resembles an insane pre-Code potboiler like "The Most Dangerous Game" (1932). The film depicts the handmade utopia devolving into petty power struggles and murder.
Sydney Sweeney's character gives birth alone while growling at a pack of wild dogs, while Jude Law's character greets intruders naked. Ana de Armas' character insults and tries to seduce everyone in the film, and Vanessa Kirby's character lets foreplay include the pulling of her diseased tooth.
The film does not crescendo but instead peters out, but this does not make it any less interesting. "Eden" has a running time of 2 hours and 9 minutes and is rated R for strong violence, sexual content, graphic nudity, and language.
"Eden" is a true story about the people at their worst unfurling in an exotic locale, and spending time with the farcical maneuverings of isolated megalomaniacs means you can skip reading the news that day. The film is set to be released in wide release on August 22.
