Movies
B-D Review: A Look at ‘Eden Lake’ From Ireland
One film I am really looking forward to is the UK thriller Eden Lake, which was directed by James Watkins, who recently penned the sequel to THE DESCENT. Thanks to B-D reader ‘Sean of the Dead’, we’ve got ourselves a very early review for the film that played in Ireland last week. Read on or click the title for more.
B-D reader ‘Sean of the Dead’ writes in, “I just got back from seeing EDEN LAKE. I live in Dublin, Ireland so I thought I’d share a review with you on this film. Anyway here it is.”
‘Eden Lake is the directorial debt of horror screenwriter James Watkins who has written such films as My Little Eye, Gone and The Descent Part II.
The story is about a couple, Paige and Harry, who decide, instead of Paris, to go to a rundown quarry to spend there weekend in peace. Harry feels this may be the perfect chance to propose to Paige. There quiet time is disrupted by a group of young chavs (scumbags), who blast noisy garage music and shout insults at the couple. Harry threatens the group and they eventually go away.
The next day there car is stolen and as they chase after the scumbags to claim there car back, Harry kills their dog. This results in pure mayhem and the horror begins.
Eden Lake is the most vicious unapologetic horror film since ‘The Last House On The Left’. It felt real, the performances were brilliant by most of the cast. There are some truly disturbing scenes that will stick with you right after the film is over! I am trying to review this without spoiling it. This may be just a horror film but there are people out there just like these character’s. People not far from where I live and maybe not far from you either. I think this is where this film succeeds, it finds a new monster to frighten you, a monster that could be anywhere.
About half of the audience I saw this with two hours ago walked out. My friend was about to as well, I convinced him to stay. I think what bother’s a lot of people is how brutal this film is.
The score was composed by David Julyan who also composed the score to The Descent. This film looks and feels like The Descent, at parts I was thinking is this the same score. Either way The music is effective and disturbing.
Overall, Eden Lake is an unorgettable horror film that is raw and unapologetic. This is intense filmmaking, and if you’re bothered by seeing young scumbags become the antagonists in a horror film because you feel it’s not politically correct. Well I assure you there are people out there like this. I’ve encountered some and you have read in newspaper articles. In other words, this is essential viewing.
4 skulls out of 5
Just three years after Evil Dead Rise set the box office on fire with a $147 million worldwide haul, Evil Dead Burn was unleashed into theaters this past weekend. Unfortunately, the opening weekend for Evil Dead Burn wasn’t quite as strong as the debut for its predecessor.
Evil Dead Burn debuted in 3,004 theaters across North America and scared up $13.7 million in its domestic debut, about $10 million less than Evil Dead Rise‘s $24.5 million opening.
Worldwide, Evil Dead Burn debuted with $27 million. Given the film’s production budget was somewhere in the ballpark of $20 million, all is certainly not lost for Evil Dead Burn. That said, Warner Bros. and New Line no doubt hoped that Burn would top or at least match the domestic opening of Rise, but instead we’re looking at a case of diminishing franchise returns.
The good news for fans? Next installment Evil Dead Wrath has already wrapped production for expected release in 2028, so there’s no danger of the franchise ending with Evil Dead Burn.
Evil Dead Wrath from director Francis Galluppi (The Last Stop in Yuma County) is currently set for theatrical release on April 7, 2028, though that could change in the coming months.
Will the Evil Dead franchise be taking a break after Evil Dead Wrath? That all depends on how Wrath performs at the box office. But for what it’s worth, the post-credits scene at the end of Evil Dead Burn suggests that the franchise’s creators are hopeful for a bright future ahead.
The critical reception for Evil Dead Burn was a bit less positive than the reception to Evil Dead Rise, with Rise hitting 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and Burn currently sitting at 71%. It’s interesting to note, however, that the “Popcornmeter” on Rotten Tomatoes is a bit higher for Burn than it was for Rise, with Burn‘s currently at 80% and Rise‘s sitting a tad lower at 76%.
The site’s “Popcornmeter” scores are decided by users, rather than verified movie critics.
Which do you prefer? Evil Dead Rise or Evil Dead Burn? Sound off below.
You must be logged in to post a comment.