Customer Reviews

Eden Lake [Blu-ray] [Region B]

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

EDEN LAKE is a surprisingly great quality and well acted Survival/Revenge Horror film. It's a British film written and directed by James Watkins, who happens to be one of the screenwriters for the upcoming sequel to THE DESCENT. The film's plot is simple. A couple, Steve and Jenny, go to a lake out in the middle of nowhere to relax and spend some quality time together. Steve's ultimate goal of proposing to Jenny is ruined when they are harassed by a group of teenagers. Some back and forth trash talking goes on between Steve and the alpha male of the teen troublemakers. To make a long story short, things go a little too far and result with Steve being beaten and tortured. The teens panic and decide in order to not end up in prison that they must simply murder Steve and Jenny and cover their tracks. Jenny, who is normally a sweet and caring person, is now faced with the dilemma of finding the monster within herself in order to get her and Steve out of the area alive. And boy does she.

I was pretty much blown away by this movie. Next to INSIDE, ROGUE, and TEETH, it's probably one of my favorite Dimension Extreme movies. It's not so much the brutality of the film that made me like it, but the suspense that kept my eyes glued to the screen. Don't get me wrong, it IS a brutal film, but to me the suspense and emotion (and sometimes lack thereof) is what made the movie great. It started off as a run of the mill Survival Horror film and the characters of Steve and Jenny pushed the boundaries of the whole "so in love it's disgusting" couple that most films set up in order to make their inevitable demise THAT much more heartbreaking. It's clever but it's a cheap way to get the villain(s) of the film over. However, once the film went on, what slight feelings I had of disappointment soon left me. The antagonists in the film are so vile and disgusting and unlikeable. Add that to the fact that Steve and especially Jenny are so extremely likeable and BELIEVABLE as a couple anyway and it makes for a win/win situation. What makes Steve and Jenny real is that most adults can relate to their situation. For instance...

Have you ever gone to a movie theater to simply just relax and watch a movie, only to have your hard earned money wasted when you realize that the teenagers who walked in and sat right in front of you during the trailers will NOT stop talking and laughing? In most cases, people will leave the theater or just sit there and HOPE that they stop talking so that you can enjoy what little free time you have. Regardless, have you ever wanted to lift your leg and kick the back of the head of the annoying person sitting in front of you as hard as you can? Of course you have. If you fit the above description, then congratulations! You can now relate to Steve and Jenny's situation, except multiply it by a THOUSAND. And not only can you relate to them, but chances are you'll enjoy this film. But be warned... without spoiling anything, let's just say that the ending is not a happy one. And with the lack of happiness and relief will come a feeling of pure disgust knowing that the things in this film could actually happen and probably, at some point in time, HAVE happened. The characters in this film are real people. No monsters, no zombies, just regular people, which is what makes EDEN PARK truly horrific.

Granted, the film does have its cliche moments. For example, Steve driving into the woods and taking a shortcut to the lake when his talking GPS thing clearly tells him to "Turn Around", at which point him and Jenny look at each other and laugh. Also the story, while well done, is not original and it's ultimately a story that we've all seen before. The film takes a few twists and turns during the climax, leading to an ending that made me feel similar to how I felt when I watched the end of THE MIST, which is as much as I'll say about that. Gorehounds will also be satisfied as this movie has no shortage of blood and torture. A scene that stands out is one where a kid (who looks like he's about twelve years old) is stabbed in the neck and another one (who looks even younger) being set on fire! Needless to say if violence against teenagers is not your thing, you might want to skip this one. Also, by the end of the film Jenny (played by the adorable Kelly Reilly) is covered from head to toe in what looks like a combination of blood, pus, and feces. Overall, it's not an original movie, but still a suspenseful and violent one. It's not so much disgusting as it is moving. The cast and characters are great, the film quality is better than average, and it's definitely one of those films that you'll be recommending to friends just so you can hear their reaction after watching it. If you're a Horror fan, get your paws on EDEN PARK as soon as you get a chance.

4 stars

When I first saw promos for Eden Lake, I classified it as being just another torture flick that provides sadism just for the sake of sadism, with no other true horror elements thrown in at all. Well, I was wrong, very wrong. While Eden Lake does offer some truly brutal moments of shocking violence, it also provides an equal amount of true suspense that really will keep your eyes glued to the screen. Kelly Reilly and Michael Fassbender star as a young couple who run afoul of a gang of murderous teens while trying to spend a romantic weekend together. What develops is a truly frightening, shocking, and bloody fight for survival that shows writer/director James Watkins hardly pulling any punches in showing the audience. Eden Lake's cast is surprisingly pretty solid, and Watkins' pacing is nearly pitch-perfect as well. The only real flaws of Eden Lake lie in its screenplay, as our couple does some pretty unwise things as situations develop, and the film's finale may leave you screaming at your television. Still, Eden Lake is a surprisingly good, and brutal, flick that is notable due to the slickness of Watkins' camera and the infusion of some great suspense, and is definitely worth checking out for horror fans that are seeking a little bit of suspense mixed with their brutality and bloody violence.

There's a lot of hype among the horror community regarding Eden Lake and going into it I wasn't sure what to expect. The idea of a couple being terrorized by teenagers didn't exactly strike fear into me. My first thought was give the little brats a time out. But after seeing Eden Lake I am a believer and all the hype regarding this movie is legit and very well worthy of the positive reviews. Eden Lake is the kind of movie that once it gets its grip on you it will never let go and just when you think the film won't cross that line it does and going into the movie you'll probably figure how the movie will end. But you will be wrong; the ending will leave you speechless.

This was the directorial debut for James Watkins and with Eden Lake in my opinion Watkins takes his place among the best ever directorial debuts in the horror genre. With Eden Lake, Watkins crafts a truly horrifying experience that relies more on suspense rather than violence, but with that said the violence in Eden Lake is quite shocking and unsettling because it feels so real. There's no killer who keeps coming back from the dead these are real people and the characters are so believable it's easy to get lost in the film.

The youth of this world is in many ways getting worse and worse; it seems like that is said about every generation, but I think in many ways it's true. There are a lot of good kids in the world, but more and more you hear about these stories about shocking violence and brutality and the person behind it is just a kid. And this problem isn't just in the United States or in the case of this movie the UK. This is a problem all over the world. This is a problem that can be stopped, while I do believe some people are born bad, but in many ways the problems are created by us as a society who ignore the problems, but than point fingers when something bad happens.

The screenplay was also written by James Watkins and the script was excellent. The two lead characters Jenny played by Kelly Reilly and Steve played by Michael Fassbender are excellent and sympathetic characters who are going away for the weekend and end up in a living hell. While Watkins may not break any new ground with his script, both Jenny and Steve are quite likeable and extremely sympathetic; these are two characters you can root for and when something bad happens you'll feel for them. As excellent as the script was, it's the directing by Watkins that elevates this movie.

Eden Lake starts off a bit slow, but in no ways boring. Watkins takes his time and sets up the characters, but he gives you this sense of looming danger. Right off the bat you pretty much get that feeling of dread. There are a couple of false starts where you think something is about to happen, but nothing comes about. But with these scenes James Watkins really sets up a great tone for things to come and when it finally does it's extremely dark and disturbing. James Watkins makes a movie that aims to shock and disturb and wow does he ever deliver.

While Eden Lake has its fair share of violence it's not really the actual act of the violence that is shocking, but the fact the villains are just teenagers. And like I said the fact Jenny and Steve are likeable that also adds to the shock value. The acts committed by these kids are quite sickening and disturbing. Once this movie gets going it never lets you go until the shocking finale. As you are watching Eden Lake you'll probably think you know how everything will play out, but I'm willing to bet that you will be dead wrong.

The suspense and feel of dread created by James Watkins is truly amazing and the fact he is able to sustain this tension through the whole movie shows you the level of talent this man has as a filmmaker. As I was watching the movie I had this sinking feeling the movie would run out of gas and limp towards the finish line, but I was wrong. The pacing is amazing and like I said once this movie gets you in its grip it never lets you go.

As I stated before the violence level is quite high, but again it's not the actual act of the violence so shocking it's the fact that the villains are kids. Like I said earlier in my review the thought of teenagers as the villains didn't strike me as something that would be scary, but I'll admit I was wrong. Brett played by Jack O'Connell is a repulsive and vile character and that is what makes this kid so frightening. After watching Eden Lake I think the fact that Brett was so young and doing these horrible acts is even scarier than if he was an adult.

All the performances in Eden Lake were top notch; Jack O'Connell is excellent and shows some great promise. I really hope to see more of this kid in the future. Kelly Reilly and Michael Fassbender are also excellent and their characters go through some really horrible things and the viewer will really feel for them. I've seen movies where the characters go through extreme levels of torture, but few characters have sparked so much emotion out of me. I think that's a mixture of the great performances from Reilly & Fassbender as well as the writing and directing by James Watkins.

Don't go into Eden Lake expecting a fun ride; this movie isn't a fun movie. It aims to disturb and it succeeds in that area that very few films before have. As you are watching Eden Lake you will probably like it, but after the movie ends and you think back to it that's where you realize the brilliance behind it. Eden Lake is in my opinion the best horror movie of 2008 and this one isn't to be missed.

I just want to say right off the bat that `Eden Lake' is a terrible film. I mean, there are few films that make me nauseous to the point of wanting to actually STAB a person to death, but `Eden Lake' simultaneously made me sick to my stomach and enraged to the point of mental instability.

THERE ONLY KIDS...and yet, they are sick, sick...SICK.

`Eden Lake' brings absolutely nothing new to the table, unless you consider the idea of a pack of youths being the perpetrators of grotesque violence `new', but it works because of some slick directing/editing that continually keeps you on edge and brings ample amounts of fear. I, sadly, heard the ending long before ever actually seeing the film, so some of the surprise was deflated from my viewing pleasure (if that word is even appropriate for this breed of film) and yet I was still held in a tense web of fear while watching it.

The film follows a lovely pair (Steve and Jenny) of lovebirds who are taking a vacation into the woods to visit a lake that Steve has visited before and finds so beautiful and secluded he just has to take his blushing love interest, and soon to be fiancé (yes, he has a ring in his pocket). Before they even make it to the lake, they brush alongside the native flock and find their taste rather bitter. Yes, the warning signs (clichéd ones at that) abound heavily in this film, and the stereotypical way with which the `trailer trash' type characters found in `these here parts' could be comically generic were they not genuinely terrifying.

While you can feasibly think of a million things Steve and Jenny could have done `better', there really seems like no other alternative to their fates than the one paved away for them in this film.

Michael Fassbender is quickly proving himself one of the best `new' actors gracing the screen today. While this is not one of his finest moments (that is only to say that his onslaught of other screen appearances are better), he is still gripping and dripping with charm. The real standout here is Kelly Reilly, who is just brilliant here. She delivers so many sides of her characters, and it shows in every frame. Whether she's coyly vying for attention or genuinely petrified; pleading for her life or brutally defending herself...she is a force in this film. UGH, and that final scene, in the bathroom...just...my eyes are still stinging from the tears!

So, in the end I can't really praise this film much. It is terrifying in many parts, and it holds up the thrills for the majority of the film, but the bountiful clichés and the use of such young children in a horrific light (at one point they even light a young boy's head on fire) really make this cinematic experience one I could certainly live without.

But I'll always have Kelly Reilly's performance to remember fondly.

There have been many attempts at a genre film that emulates a very real feeling of horror that may happen in real life. I've seen quite a good number of them, some are decent, some are great but most failed to impress. Writer and director James Watkins' "Eden Lake" may have the usual clichés of horror suspense thrillers, the main premise offers nothing new, but what makes it very different is the fact that it carries a lot of effective humanity in its proceedings, that whatever it may lack in originality, the journey itself is rewarding--proves once again that true terror may just be out there.

Steve and Jenny (Michael Fassbender and Kelly Reilly respectively) is a couple very much in love. They decide to spend the weekend in the wilderness to have some quality time, and unknown to Jenny, Steve plans on proposing. Their time together is broken up when they ran across a group of aggressive of local kids. Rowdiness turns to rage as the teenagers terrorize the couple in unimaginable ways and the weekend outing becomes a fight for survival.

I wasn't kidding when I said that the film's set up is full of cliché. At first impression, I was ready to tell myself that the film was just another thriller until I saw just how the direction slowly unfolded. Sure, there were some cheap scares and some dumb behavior in the part of the protagonists that I didn't exactly buy into in the beginning, but thankfully the script abandons the flaws. What really got me into the film is the fact that even though there is very minor character development in the beginning, you get to know Steve and Jenny through their horrific experiences. Other films such as "Them" and "The Strangers" tried but failed to make the audience "feel" for the characters' predicaments, to put them behind the eyes of the leads--this film does so very effectively because it carried a lot of emotional content.

The characters have their own feelings. Even the teenagers, despite their horrific deeds, aren't one-dimensional. These kids have emotions and their characteristics are displayed when they disagree, argue and have second thoughts. Brett (Jack O'Connell) is the group's leader and one may wonder as to how a young man such as this would be so without conscience. There is a subtle hint at abuse when Steve stumbled on their home and especially during the final act. The other members of the group offer some guilt and reluctance, but they were just so caught up in the moment or they were scared of Brett or for themselves.

I suppose the situation itself had driven the characters into such actions. I loved the way the director set everything up, it seemed as if unintentional reactions, dark coincidence and bad decisions enforced with rage were all the cause of the terrifying experience for Steve and Jenny. These teenagers are very angry, well, maybe two of them served as some light at the end of the tunnel, but the situation may have scared both the victims and the hunters. The film is definitely an emotional affair that I wouldn't really call this a 100% horror film, but more of a horrifying drama. There is some blood and very little gore, and it doesn't depend on those elements, but focuses more on the situation itself--which makes it more an emotional horror film, with a lot of visceral punch.

The performances are quite good, although Kelly Reilly may have stolen the show. Reilly is so convincing on the anger, fear and her reactions that I was genuinely touched by her plight. Steve's "proposal" adds some feeling of sympathy, but it doesn't end there. The teenagers were also very meshed together and managed to show a lot of humanity despite their unbecoming behavior, when I say humanity, I didn't mean the pleasant side--I meant the dark side.

The film's cinematography is very good and while all these things happen in a huge wooden area, it gives a feeling of claustrophobia and helplessness. The way the camera worked was quite impressive; making simple perspective views become a feeling of helplessness, close-ups to achieve emotion and pain. I was quite happy with the direction, but the film isn't perfect. The hunt seemed to have taken place in two days and there are some elements that I did find unconvincing such as when Jenny stayed put in the woods the first night instead of going for help and some scenes were a little heavy-handed.

Despite some flaws, "Eden Lake" does a LOT more things right than wrong. The plot while simple was an emotional roller-coaster, and I was very happy that the antagonists weren't "cardboard" genre characters and that they acted very human, however, brutal their actions were. The film's main strength is its humanity and the realistic approach to human terror. It also has a surprising element in the final act that is very bleak and sad (Reminded me of the South Korean thriller "The Chaser") and I applaud the writer in avoiding a perfunctory ending. It wasn't so much as surprising, but it just leaves a very sad and disturbing feeling behind. The film's ending is an expression of irony and pure wicked coincidental chance. Full of humanity and bleakness, "Eden Lake" delivers.

Highly Recommended! [4 ½ Stars]

"Eden Lake" is another fine offering from Dimension Extreme.
Perhaps the best .It's a survival revenge flick that is pretty realistic.
The acting is first rate as well as the camera work and cinematography.
A couple goes to Eden Lake for some romance and relaxation plus the lead male character thinks it will be the perfect place to propose to his girlfriend,ring in tow.
What they don't expect to find is a group of wild out of control kids with major anger issues.
In my opinion if the lead character had a little less testosterone and would have left well enough alone everything would have been ok.
But alas no,he provokes the kids and it only fuels the fire.
What you will see is a realistic game of trading insults and once accidents happen it's gone too far then a brutal battle for survival insures because you get into the "after what we did we can't let them live issue".
It has issues dealing with peer pressure,guilt,how young minds become warped, revenge,vigilantism and then after all is said and done you wonder to yourself.
Who should have stopped this first and at what price?
All in all It's a gritty non stop terror filled ride that does more than just frighten and shock you,it makes you think as well?

I had the misfortune to watch this movie and unfortunately I couldn't turn the channel. That's why I gave this movie 4 stars. I was invested in seeing the main female protagonist find justice. Like the Road, I felt depleted when it finally ended. I was so mad when Eden Lake ended that I imagined a sequel which had a more satisfying ending.
If you like horror movies with depressing endings, see this movie.

I just finished watching this one, and all I can say is....darn. You could see the unjust ending coming, but I refused to believe that the poor woman would meet her end so far from home. When it finally happened, I was heartbroken. I've seen plenty of films who's stories revolve around an innocent couple being harassed by hooligans, but Eden Lake has a realistic quality that affected me on an emotional level. Kind of like when you watch the NEWS and see report after report about violent crimes and although you agree that it's bad, it doesn't affect you that much. Then the NEWS reports on something that's no more or less violent than the others, yet it seems to hit you in the gut and leave you gasping. That's what Eden Lake did to me just now. I'm shocked at the injustice of it. Because it's drawn such a strong emotion from me, I'm rating Eden Lake a 5.

Every now and again a film comes around that just surprises the hell out of me. Eden Lake is one such film. Every year brings films that promise to be "the year's best horror film" and so on but this film definitely lives up to it's reputation. Some of the Hollywood horror films of the past couple of years have been so formulaic and repetitive to the point where nothing has become scary anymore, for me though it is always the one that sneaks up on you that gives me the best thrill. James Watkins has managed to create real tension, real suspense and some real terror in his directorial debut. So many UK horror films come with great expectations and so many fail, but with Eden Lake Watkins has crafted a contemporary film that is instilled with the nastiness and vicious spirit of 70s and early 80s horror such as 'Last House on the Left'. The story is about a couple who get harassed by local youths and one man's pride turns the situation into a living nightmare. The confrontation escalates with alarming plausibility, and soon the teens are out for blood. Leading the assault is a chilling and disturbing performance from Jack O'Connell as gang leader Brett. The British tabloids during the past couple of years were overflowing with nightmarish reports of teenage knife crime and gang attacks so this film was pretty accurate and displayed a realistic tone to what's happening in current events. But the film wasn't as realistic as I expected especially when the second half turns into a survival horror type of film kind of like TCM and the film suffers slightly from having a few cliches but the film had some great performances especially from the young cast who all looked their age (alot of films usually have older 20 something actors who play teens) and the couple who were both terrific. The film was disturbing, challenging, thought provoking and downright electrifying in places, this is one of the best horror films of the past few years and one of the best British films this decade. Those who prefer some typical cheesy hollywood torture/porn saw type horror might want to look elsewhere; otherwise, no self-respecting horror fan should miss Eden Lake. Imagine if Neil Marshall directed a Jack Ketchum book, then you'll probably get a good idea of what it's like. I highly recommend this and two thumbs up!.

"Eden Lake" is excellent; my favorite Dimension Extreme film so far!! The acting is above par, the scenery is really beautiful and the effects are well done. The ending is not what I wanted to see happen, but more realistic instead. This one's well worth it though. This had more of the "Storm Warning" feel to it if I had to say which other DE film it most closely resembles, so if you liked that one give this a try. You won't be sorry.