Eden: Should You Watch the Thriller Starring Jude Law?
Ron Howard presents his new feature film, Eden, starring Jude Law and Sydney Sweeney. Released on Prime Video on October 24, 2025, this thriller attempts to engage viewers but largely falls short despite its star-studded cast, including Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, and Daniel Brühl.
About the Film
More than three years after Thirteen Lives, Ron Howard returns with Eden, a story based on true events. The film follows a group that abandons civilization to live in the Galápagos Islands, creating an unsettling atmosphere amid lush nature, unpredictable weather, and scarce resources.
"Rather than selling us a paradise illusion, Ron Howard uses the thriller genre, one filled with chaos and power struggles."
Critical Reception
Though the premise holds promise, the film struggles to captivate. Critics are divided, mainly pointing to shallow character development and a slow, meandering plot as key weaknesses.
"The biggest issues lie in the character development – overly caricatured and barely developed – and plot. Overall it unfolds far too slowly."
Director’s Background
Two decades after winning multiple Oscars, including Best Director for A Beautiful Mind (2002), Howard delivers a thriller that challenges expectations but doesn’t fully succeed.
Summary
- Thriller set in the Galápagos Islands focused on survival and chaos.
- Based on a true story but criticized for slow pacing and weak characters.
- Stars Jude Law, Sydney Sweeney, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, and Daniel Brühl.
Author’s summary: Despite a gripping setting and notable cast, Eden suffers from slow storytelling and underdeveloped characters, making it a less compelling thriller from Ron Howard’s acclaimed career.