Theatrical Poster
Jenny and Steve are a young couple who are heading out for a romantic weekend in a remote forest with the intent of getting nothing more than peace and quiet. Upon arrival it’s everything they anticipated and more – there’s a vast lake, blue skies, and plenty of sun, the perfect vacation spot. Unfortunately for them, perfection decides to take a holiday as well when a group of local hoods disturb their getaway spot and turn their seemingly idyllic vacation goes sour as the teens begin to terrorize the couple in unimaginable ways and soon rowdiness turns into rage causing a chain reaction that sets a deadly game of cat in mouse into motion.
Eden Lake takes a very basic and simple formula which has been beaten to death and turns it into something more than your standard hack and slash film. It brings the idea to a whole new level by introducing us to a seemingly normal group of youths who are forced into becoming vicious killers by their blood thirsty leader. The group seems to think the whole thing is some sort of game but when reality begins to set in, several have their reservations only to have the evidence of murder that they helped commit shoved in their face which drives them to commit further action to protect their innocence.
I simply cannot stress the bleakness, the horror, and the sadness this film can make one feel. It is everything a horror film should be – you feel the fear our heroin feels, the anticipation, the sadness, the hopelessness – you really fight with her throughout this whole film. The gang leader Jimmy is just vicious in his violent actions and shows no mercy towards his companions when they question their wrongdoings. You spend a majority of the film praying for his head to get smashed in by a rock only to have his body tied to a branch and forced into a piranha infested lake. He is truly one of the most horrifying characters I’ve ever seen in a horror film and I have to make mention that the actor who played him did a spectacular job in bringing his character to life. As a matter of fact, everyone here did a fantastic job with the materials presented in this film. The agonizing events these characters go through – you go through right with them and that is because the actors bring the characters to life in every way possible.
Pure and simple, Eden Lake thus far is the best horror film of 2009. It is the best horror film I’ve seen quite possibly in the last ten years. It is nothing short of perfect and is surely to become a cult classic that will be around for years to come. I honestly cannot see another horror film affecting me the way this one did for a long time.
If horror is your cup of tea, and you haven’t seen this yet – don’t waste anymore time, seek out a copy now and get ready for a film you will not soon forget.
