Eden, directed by Ron Howard, is set against the backdrop of a broken world economy and rising fascism in 1929. German physician and writer Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law, Black Rabbit) and his companion Dore Strauch (Vanessa Kirby, The Fantastic Four: First Steps) flee Germany for the desolate yet beautiful island of Floreana in the Galapagos. Dr. Ritter’s declared (and overreaching) mission is to create a new philosophy capable of saving a dying world. Howard’s thriller dives into the true story of what was intended to be a utopian society, providing a compelling examination of human nature in its most extreme form.
As Friedrich’s letters to the mainland spread the word about his radical retreat, others looking for a fresh start are drawn to this remote sanctuary. Heinz (Daniel Brühl, All Quiet on the Western Front) and his pregnant wife, Margret Wittmer (Sydney Sweeney, Euphoria), are looking for a way out of a cruel world and a miracle for their sick son, Harry (Jonathan Tittel). Their arrival in 1932, drawn by the promise of happiness in a world gone mad, is the first crack in Friedrich’s carefully constructed utopia. Heinz and Margret’s uninvited presence undermines the very philosophy that Friedrich built his island paradise on.
But it’s the bold and flamboyant Austrian Baroness Eloise Wehrborn de Wagner-Bosquet (Ana de Armas, Ballerina) who presents the real test for this delicate community. Carried ashore on the shoulders of her lovers, Robert (Toby Wallace) and Rudolph (Felix Kammerer), she brings with her a heady mixture of ambition, glitz, and total indifference to the peaceful existence of the island’s current residents. The Baroness uses her sexuality to drive a wedge between factions, becoming a disruptive force that transforms the fight for survival into a psychological game with consequential stakes. The tension builds to a breaking point when the fragile alliances and personal convictions of the islanders are put to the ultimate test.
The fight for survival in this harsh environment is unending, and every drop of water and bite of food is a hard-won victory. The gorgeous cinematography shows the brutal beauty of the island, a place that’s as much a pivotal character as the flesh-and-blood characters who populate it.
Two-time Oscar winner Ron Howard has loaded his film with impressive actors, all of whom do terrific jobs of creating sympathy for these unlikeable characters. Shifting alliances within the group directly lead to shifts in perspective over who has the moral high ground and who’s the real antagonist of the piece.
Ana de Armas goes full camp as the Baroness, an absolute requirement for playing such a hedonistic shapeshifter. Jude Law and Vanessa Kirby are outstanding as the doctor, who’s slowly sinking into madness, and his partner, who’s far too late in questioning her life choices. Daniel Brühl and Sydney Sweeney seem an odd match as the WWI vet and his milquetoast wife, but their performances drive most of the narrative. It’s, at least initially, Friedrich’s island, but the pivotal players turn out to be Heinz and Margret.
Eden’s three different storylines make the film feel disjointed up until the final act, when the narrative threads deliver a satisfying payoff. Each group of settlers is worthy of their own film, and there’s a glossed-over feeling where too many of the essential details couldn’t be squeezed into a feature-length project. Friedrich’s obsessive behavior isn’t built out; he’s relegated to a supporting player even though the true story of his time on Floreana Island is incredibly fascinating.
Still, Eden’s exploration of what happens when unrealistic, lofty aspirations clash with grim reality makes for a gripping drama. Strong performances live up to the ambitious story, and in the end, Eden is a thought-provoking tale that leaves you pondering the price of paradise.
GRADE: B-
Rating: R
Running Time: 129 minutes
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
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