Eden Lake – DVD Review
Distributor: Madman Entertainment Released: 2008 Genre: Thriller/horror Credits: Writers: James Watkins Director: James Watkins Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kelly Reilly, Jack O’ Connell Rating: R18
This DVD was kindly supplied by Madman NZ for review
Some of the most hidden gems of the Madman catalogue are the horrors and thrillers. If you’re a a thrill-seeker fan or you just really like the ‘edge of your seat’ feeling you get from being scared, you won’t be disappointed for looking up Eden Lake.
Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds) and Kelly Reilly are Steve and Jenny, two young lovers who have planned a nice, cosy get-away for the weekend. Shortly after their arrival at Eden Lake, they are met with curiousity and disdain from a group of local kids. As it turns out, these kids are more like thugs than children and as time passes, become slightly more irritating and annoying to Steve, who makes a heroic attempt to confront the kids at one of their houses. After an unfortunate situation escalates, he narrowly escapes the house and realises that he may have bitten off slightly more than he could chew.
One thing leads to another and the holiday from hell for the couple begins shortly after they realise their car has been taken and they are trapped in an area surrounded by woods. A cleverly written script allows for the harrowing ‘cat and mouse’ chase between the thugs and the holidaying couple to keep us in nail-biting suspense.
The intensity of the movie creeps in slowly but eventually leads to some seriously graphic stuff as each scene becomes more gruesome and horrifying. Without giving too much away, Eden Lake is very similar to ‘Funny Games’ with the same sort of premise leading to an unfortunate ending. You just know it’s going to end badly, and that’s partially why movies like this keep you interested. Macabre, I know but hey, that’s what a good horror/thriller is all about and Eden Lake is good horror.
Michael Fassbender is great in his role as is Kelly Reilly but the standout actor award goes to the leader of the thugs Brett (played by ‘Skin’s’ actor Jack O’ Connell), who manages to portray the vindictiveness of his character with precision and gritty realism.
Another gem from Madman. Don’t miss this at your local video store!
Buy this DVD
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