Film Review – Eden (2025)

      Eden, 2025.

      Directed by Ron Howard.

      Starring Sydney Sweeney, Jude Law, Daniel Brühl, Vanessa Kirby, Ana de Armas, Felix Kammerer, Toby Wallace, Jonathan Tittel, Ignacio Gasparini, Richard Roxburgh, Paul Gleeson, Thiago Moraes, Nicholas Denton, Tim Ross, Antonio Alvarez, and Benjamín Gorroño.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Inspired by true events, a group of outsiders settles on a secluded island, only to realize their greatest threat comes not from the harsh environment or deadly creatures, but from each other. Esteemed director Ron Howard, whose recent work has faced criticism, appears uncertain about the tone to adopt in Eden, which explores a power struggle on Floreana, a Galapagos Island during World War I.

      The group is split into three factions, all having escaped civilization for different reasons. Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law) dedicates himself to a manifesto promoting a new, more rational and humane set of social norms, while also persuading his wife, Dora Strauch (Vanessa Kirby), that their self-imposed exile will provide him the tranquility needed to cure her multiple sclerosis. His vision for a better society includes everything from vegetarianism to the familiar but clichéd idea that pain is essential for growth and happiness.

      Their quiet solitude is disrupted when the Wittmer family arrives, seeking freedom from war and poverty to cultivate their garden. Sydney Sweeney takes on the traditionally conservative role of Margaret, who is pregnant and generally submissive to her husband, Heinz (Daniel Brühl). She married him not from love but due to her inexperience and his proposal. Despite this, Sweeney’s portrayal reveals that her character, though often quiet and passive, possesses intelligence and is capable of making bold choices under duress.

      Shortly after Dr. Ritter strategically places them on a plot of land he believes will hinder their gardening efforts and compel them to leave, a self-indulgent and flirtatious baroness (Ana de Armas) arrives unexpectedly with a few charming young followers (Jonathan Tittel and Felix Kammerer) to cater to her every need, pilfer more canned goods, and pursue her ambition to establish a luxurious hotel for the wealthy.

      Dr. Ritter shows little concern for the newcomers and deliberately puts them in challenging situations that lead to conflict among them. Ironically, some of these individuals, particularly the baroness, adapt better to island life than he and his wife, prompting him to start breaking his own rules. They each know how to press his buttons, revealing his anger and insecurities.

      Though the premise of a psychological conflict is promising, Ron Howard’s (co-writing with Noah Pink) execution results in an awkward mix of tones that fails to come together cohesively. The baroness's antics are exaggerated and campy, contrasting sharply with the film’s more serious character explorations. While Ana de Armas performs well, her character feels disconnected, as though she belongs in a different film altogether, one that might have succeeded if a consistent tone had been maintained. The dynamics between the remaining groups become engaging after her character departs for reasons that shouldn’t be revealed, introducing a layer of intrigue and darker themes. At just over two hours, Eden benefits from its length, allowing for extended sequences focused on each group and enabling the characters to develop outside the overarching plot.

      Eden concludes with a frustrating note during the credits, suggesting that there are multiple perspectives on these historical accounts. How Ron Howard and Noah Pink shaped their narrative remains unclear, but this detail hints at a more creatively ambitious approach to the story. While it's uncertain if this alternative would have improved the film, the premise of various Hollywood IT actresses vying for supremacy on an island presents an intriguing idea. Ultimately, the film fluctuates between being dry and excessively quirky, failing to strike a balanced tone until it’s too late.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder