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Eden Lake (2008)

Director: James Watkins

Time Out rating

Average user rating

77 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

This fierce, thought-provoking ‘survival horror’ movie from ‘My Little Eye’ co-writer James Watkins sounds like a tabloid headline: Lovers’ Lakeside Hoody Horror. The romantic peace of Kelly Reilly and Michael Fassbender’s remote idyll is shattered by a gang of kids with a loud beat-box and a boisterous Rottweiler. Verbal confrontations escalate into knife-wielding violence, then the couple are hunted and tortured in the surrounding woods.

This is not, however, a Daily Mail rant about feral chavs. Instead, Watkins uses stomach-knotting tension and tongue-slicing horror to explore the complex dynamics of anti-social violence. We identify with the victims throughout, but Watkins also depicts the complex peer-group pressures within the gang and the pain and confusion behind its leader’s eyes. The film’s one major fault is that Reilly’s character repeatedly acts in ways that serve the plot, but which run contrary to rational human behaviour. By contrast, the shattering downbeat ending is well earned and genuinely shocking.

Author: Nigel Floyd 2008-09-09 10:18:23

Time Out London Issue 1986, 11-17 Sept

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User reviews of this film

Gareth said...

Posted on Nov 05 2009 13:54 I feel like I need to comment given that the film was soo lame!! I mean what are the fim makers trying to portray!! That 'normal folk' should be scared of chav kids!! Pathetic!! There was never a story in my opinion as the reactions to the chav kids from the main bloke/girlfriend were so lame and unrealistic!! Cant say it did it for me!!

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penwa said...

Posted on Oct 25 2009 14:43 this is the sickest film i have ever seen. fucking brilliant!!! i might even watch it again!!!! mixy mixy shakey shakey BING BING PENWA

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dave said...

Posted on Sep 21 2009 13:56 jips rare is amazing!!!

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the gay said...

Posted on Sep 21 2009 13:55 shit film no fans

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ms.mia said...

Posted on Jun 15 2009 22:14 A movie that hits too close to home and will only grow and spread the anger that society holds for the lower classes. I myself and many of my friends have felt the violence from ignorant 'children'. This movie targets the true root of the problem...the parents. More than ever i believe some individuals should not be allowed to reproduce...i am sick to my stomach to think they are ppl out there who harbor so much hate and lack of respect for humanity. I have to say this without an ounce of regret if the death penalty ever came to this country...i would support it.

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phil said...

Posted on May 23 2009 10:39 Firstly ill start by telling you this is a british horror film, not the kind thats filled with monsters, or ghosts, oh no. This film hits close to home by feeding into the fear of the public that is our so called 'hoodie problem'. A couple go of for a romantic weekend to eden lake (which is soon to become a new housing estate). The boyfreind has been to the lake before and would like to romance his lovely lady, but what should have been a lovely weekend soon turns into a rollercoaster ride from hell. They soon find themselves, running for there lives through the dense woods from a local gang of rather disturbed teenagers, who like to use everyday products such as razorblades. This film feeds on the public fright of our so called hoodie hooligans, it does it fantastic. The film keeps the fright going throughout and does at times have the horror story cliche and you will find yourself saying 'why on earth would you stay there?' There was only one point in the film that i thought was a bit stupid, as i dont think you would walk around anyones house in broad daylight just because you knew there kid burt your tyre, no matter how pissed of you was. That scene spoilt the end for me as i knew the location, but i wont say to much. This film is one of the best british horrors , if not one of the best horrors ive seen in a long time. At least rent it just to give it a go, but remeber dont go into the woods!!

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floppydoppy said...

Posted on May 18 2009 18:46 The film was annoying to begin with as the couple should have known not to stay by the lake. You wouldn't do it in real life. It was then a very intense, disturbing film because it was very close to home with the problems in this Country. It showed that the gang leader had a brutal upbringing by his family that could have caused him to become very disturbed. This is a very powerful message for us and those in charge. The ending was shocking but not surprising.

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yazman91@hotmail.com said...

Posted on May 15 2009 11:04 A really thought provoking, chilling satirical reflection on the primal fears of the common citizen. Stay open minded and the chilling twist at the end is twisted.

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yazman91@hotmail.com said...

Posted on May 15 2009 11:04 A really thought provoking, chilling satirical reflection on the primal fears of the common citizen. Stay open minded and the chilling twist at the end is twisted.

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Brett (lol,honestly) said...

Posted on Apr 13 2009 12:26 This film was great! A Really good storyline that really had me wanting to jump in the tv, and tell the couple where to run etc lol.
The ending was a good end to the story, it was also upsetting, but this film was great!
A Definate must see!

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Wes said...

Posted on Apr 12 2009 23:21 The stupid movie doesn't work well, especially why would the man let kids do such stupid things to him, in the end like father like son, two garbage that should not have exist in this world. If it was my case I would have taken the fucking baseball bat to kick those kids ass's especially the main boy brett he deserves to burn in hell so is that black kid who cut really really deep in to the guy, this is the only movie that pisses me off that much that I even write a fucking review about it. TRASH MOVIE stupid ending. and...that's what I think of this shit movie.

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anomynus said...

Posted on Apr 10 2009 01:23 i also agree with nick.

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anomynus said...

Posted on Apr 10 2009 01:21 this film is very rubbsih and it isnt scry. dissapointing.

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Leanne said...

Posted on Apr 09 2009 23:11 Stupid film and stupid characters who clearly couldn't save their lives! Why did she sit and watch them torturing her boyfriend when she should've gone for help?!?! ridiculous!

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james said...

Posted on Apr 02 2009 12:05 I agree with nick

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