Director Ron Howard frequently finds his creative spark in true stories for his cinematic works, such as 1995’s *Apollo 13*, 2015’s *In the Heart of the Sea*, and 2022’s *Thirteen Lives*. He maintains this methodology with 2025’s *Eden*, inspired by the authentic narrative of a secluded settlement in the Galápagos Islands.

Jude Law and Vanessa Kirby take on the roles of Dr. Friedrich Ritter and Dore Strauch, a real couple who departed Berlin for Floreana Island in 1929. Friedrich seeks to establish a new existence, fleeing Germany’s economic difficulties and the encroachment of fascism.

As time progresses, more people join Friedrich and Dore’s collective, including Heinz Wittmer (Daniel Brühl) and his spouse Margaret (Sydney Sweeney), along with the extravagant Eloise Bosquet de Wagner Wehrhorn (Ana de Armas) and her two partners (Toby Wallace and Felix Kammerer). This latter group brings turmoil to the island, clashing with Friedrich’s beliefs and resulting in a major conflict. Secluded on the island, these survival enthusiasts might discover that they are the biggest danger to one another.

The initial teaser for *Eden* illustrates the island’s spiral into turmoil, highlighting knife clashes, gunshots, and cries, all against the breathtaking backdrop of the Galápagos.

Nonetheless, the completed film may not deliver the thrill the teaser implies. In his critique following *Eden*’s debut at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, contributing writer Siddhant Adlakha remarked, “The star-laden drama is a flop. It offers little in terms of theme or profound significance, and is presented with one of the most shockingly tedious color schemes digital cinema has to present… It’s challenging not to ponder how it ended up in its concluded form.”

*Eden* releases in theaters on Aug. 22.