Eden Lake
- Jayde Walker
- Sep 28, 2009
- 2 min read
Well, if you like depressing horror, this one’s for you. Eden Lake is a modern take on classic horror that'll make you think twice about taking that lovely camping trip in remote bogan territory.
What’s the deal?
Yuppie couple Jenny (Kelly Reilly) and Steve (Michael Fassbender) embark on a weekend camping trip at Eden Lake, a stunning woodland vista soon to be overtaken by developers.
Soon, their campsite is overrun with loud teenage chavs led by sociopath Brett (Jack O'Connell), sparking Steve’s ire and sparking a escalating series of violent run-ins.
It’s good!
Eden Lake is gripping, tense and thought-provoking with a final scene that will stay with you for days. Reilly is an eye-opener. I’ve only ever seen her in the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice, but here, she comes into her own as Jenny, channelling up some Apocalypse Now-style crazy as she tries to escape the murderous millennials. O’Connell is perfect as a modern-day, European version of the hillbilly redneck, producing a tempered, creepily real performance.
What’s wrong with you?
Faarrkkk me, don't be watching this after a tough day at work! While horror's not exactly a pick-me-up at the best of times, Eden Lake can probably be described at best as 'sombre'. There’s a couple of moments in Eden Lake when you scoff, “Oh, come the fuck ON!” at the teev. Horror's not sposed to be realistic, but this is still annoying.
Neo-Maxi Zoom Dweeb-ery
I love horror. Since the genre got a reboot in the 90s with Scream after a decade of bastardisation thanks to big budget slasher franchises, we've expanded into interesting new directions. J-Horror. Gorno. Unfortunate, un-necessary ‘re-imaginings’. Horror is sort of hard to critique because so much of the genre is based in cliché. As a narrative, a lot of these clichés build suspense – obviously needed in traditionally good horror. When you’re attempting to make a horror with roots in reality (like Eden Lake is), the clichés can become unnecessary and jarring. It’s a fine line to tread, but Eden Lake on the whole nails it.
Truth?
If you like horror; particularly, if you like your more dystopic European horror; definitely check this out.
