Eden Review: I sat down for Eden with pretty high hopes. Ron Howard has been around forever, and while his movies don’t always blow me away, he usually knows how to tell a clean, straightforward story. This one felt different, though a darker, stranger project based on a true story from the 1930s about a group of Europeans who thought they could start fresh on a deserted island in the Galápagos. Of course, things don’t go the way anyone planned.
And with a cast stacked with Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Brühl, and Sydney Sweeney, I figured there was no way this could be boring. Turns out, it’s a mixed bag.
My Rating: 3.0/5
| Title | Eden |
|---|---|
| Director | Ron Howard |
| Writer | Noah Pink |
| Cast | Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Brühl, Sydney Sweeney |
| Genre | Survival Drama / Thriller |
| Runtime | 2 hours 9 minutes |
| Release Date | August 22, 2025 |
| Based On | The true story of 1930s settlers on Floreana Island, Galápagos |
The Story
The movie follows Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law), a German philosopher who basically says “forget society” and takes off to live on a remote island with his partner, Dora Strauch (Vanessa Kirby). Their plan is to live off the land, away from everything.
It doesn’t stay just the two of them for long. Another couple shows up—Heinz Wittmer (Daniel Brühl), his wife Margaret (Sydney Sweeney), and Heinz’s sickly son. They’ve read Ritter’s writings and believe the island’s air can heal the boy.
Things get tense, and then Ana de Armas enters the picture as the Baroness, a woman with two boy-toys in tow, and dreams of building a luxury resort right there on the island. From there, it all goes downhill—backstabbing, paranoia, desperation, and madness.
What Works
The setup alone is fascinating, and knowing it’s based on a true story makes it even crazier.
The movie looks amazing—the rugged landscape is both beautiful and dangerous, which feels perfect for a story like this. Hans Zimmer’s score does its job too, keeping the atmosphere tense without overdoing it.
Performance-wise, Sydney Sweeney carries a lot of the emotional weight. She plays Margaret as the most human and sympathetic person on the island. Some of her scenes—especially with her newborn—are really intense. Ana de Armas is also fun to watch, leaning into the Baroness’s manipulative charm.
And the kicker? The movie ends with actual archival footage of the real people. That part really hit me—it’s one thing to watch this unravel on screen, but to know how much of it actually happened makes it stick.
What Doesn’t Work
Here’s the problem: the movie drags. At just over two hours, it feels longer. There are stretches where characters just talk and talk, and the tension slips away.
The tone is another issue. Sometimes it feels like Howard wants it to be a survival thriller, other times a dark satire, and other times almost a murder mystery. Instead of blending together, it feels uneven.
And honestly? Jude Law’s character wore me out. Ritter starts off interesting, but by the time his ego and philosophy crumble, I was more annoyed than invested.
The Good vs. The Bad
| The Good | The Bad |
|---|---|
| Sydney Sweeney gives the best performance of the film. | The runtime drags—it feels too long. |
| Ana de Armas brings energy as the manipulative Baroness. | The tone shifts too much, never finding a clear identity. |
| Gorgeous cinematography and landscapes. | Some dialogue-heavy scenes kill the tension. |
| Hans Zimmer’s score sets the right mood. | Jude Law’s Ritter becomes more irritating than compelling. |
| The true story behind it is wild and fascinating. | The ending doesn’t fully pay off. |
Also Read: The Pickup Review: I Watched It So You Don’t Have To
Final Take
Eden is one of those movies that sounds incredible when you explain the premise. And parts of it do work—the visuals, the score, and a couple of standout performances (Sweeney especially). But as a whole, it feels uneven and a little too long for its own good.
I didn’t walk out hating it, but I also didn’t walk out floored. What stayed with me wasn’t the movie itself as much as the real story it’s based on. That alone makes it worth a watch, even if the execution isn’t perfect.
My Rating: 3/5 – Interesting story, solid performances, but uneven overall.
FAQs About Eden
Q. Is Eden a true story?
Yes, it’s based on real events from the 1930s when settlers tried (and failed) to build a utopia on Floreana Island in the Galápagos.
Q. Who gives the best performance?
Sydney Sweeney easily. She feels real and layered, and her character keeps the movie grounded.
Q. How long is the movie?
2 hours and 9 minutes.
Q. Should you watch it in theaters?
If you like survival dramas and true stories, yes—the visuals look great on the big screen. Just know it moves slowly.
Q. How does it fit into Ron Howard’s career?
It’s a darker, riskier project than most of his past work. Not his best, but definitely different.