Eden

So, six Germans and three French people end up on a deserted island… and they all decide to speak English. That’s not the beginning of a joke, but the premise of Eden.

By the end of summer, we receive yet another major studio release — Eden, directed by Ron Howard and featuring an all-star cast: Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Sydney Sweeney, and Daniel Brühl. The premise is fascinating. It tells the story of German doctor Friedrich Ritter, who in 1929 left Germany with his wife to settle on the uninhabited Galapagos island of Floreana. Their plan was for Ritter to write his manifesto on rethinking the salvation of humanity, and for his wife to seek relief from multiple sclerosis through meditation.

Their quiet life is disrupted when the Wittmer family — Margaret, Heinz, and their son — arrive on the island after hearing about the so-called “eco-retreat.” Later, a self-proclaimed baroness appears with her companions, shattering the fragile balance like a drop of blood in shark-infested waters.

The film presents this story in a vivid, accessible way, examining human nature, megalomania, the search for isolation, and belief systems. At its core, it’s also a tale about human primitiveness — our animal instincts, lust, greed, and the need to appear greater than we are. No matter how enlightened or superior one may believe themselves to be, the film reminds us that primal urges quickly take over. Watching the characters shift so easily from lofty ideals to raw survival — eating, sleeping, and adapting at all costs — can feel both unsettling and expected at the same time.

In this sense, Eden tells its story clearly, but also somewhat bluntly. It lacks a deeper layer of reflection about the themes it portrays. Instead, the film proceeds almost step by step, following the chain of events without offering much in terms of broader commentary. While it’s not hard to draw conclusions on your own, one wishes the director had aimed for more than a straightforward retelling.

The biggest surprise for me — and I only realized it at the end — was that the film is based on a true story. I had completely missed the opening note about its real-life basis, and when it hit me, it changed the entire perspective of what I had just seen. Knowing these events actually happened adds a dose of adrenaline to the viewing experience.

Hans Zimmer’s score works as expected — powerful and effective. The cast delivers strong performances: Jude Law embodies Ritter’s dangerous mix of mania and cunning, while Vanessa Kirby shines as both a devoted wife and a subtle skeptic. The rest of the ensemble also rises to the occasion, even though at times the script creates unintentionally awkward or even slightly comical moments in places where humor feels out of place.

Ultimately, Eden feels like a well-made film that nevertheless falls short of greatness. Its narrative occasionally slips into unintentional parody, resembling a survival film without fully committing to one. Instead, it becomes a competently shot, engaging story — the kind you might stumble upon while reading Wikipedia at three in the morning with fascination.

6/10

Eden opens in cinemas at the end of August or in September (check local listings). Many thanks to Monolith Films for the advanced screening.