Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, and Sydney Sweeney Uncover Dark Secrets in the Trailer for Ron Howard’s ‘Eden’
Vertical has just released the trailer for Eden, a new survival thriller directed by Ron Howard. The movie stars a big cast including Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, and Sydney Sweeney. It tells the story of European settlers who move to a remote island in the Galápagos, but instead of finding peace, they face serious conflicts with each other.
Eden is based on a true story and is set on Floreana Island, part of Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands. Jude Law plays Dr. Friedrich Ritter, who escapes Germany with his wife Dora, played by Vanessa Kirby, in 1929.
They want to leave behind the strict rules of society and live simply. Friedrich hopes to focus on his writing while Dora tries to heal her illness through meditation. But their plan for a quiet life doesn’t last long.
Other settlers arrive, including Margret and Heinz Wittmer, played by Sydney Sweeney and Daniel Brühl, who work hard to survive.
Then comes Ana de Armas as Eloise, a self-proclaimed baroness who arrives with two lovers and dreams of building a fancy hotel on the island. The settlers face tough weather, wild animals, and very few comforts. Still, their biggest challenge is dealing with each other, as jealousy, theft, and lies begin to tear them apart.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2024. It was first shown in German theaters on April 3, 2025, and will be released in the U.S. on August 22, 2025, distributed by Vertical. The movie was written by Noah Pink, based on a story by Pink and Ron Howard himself.
Filming took place mostly in Queensland, Australia, with some scenes shot on the Galápagos Islands. The movie was originally called Origin of Species, but the title was changed to Eden in late 2023. Hans Zimmer is composing the music for the film.
The cast went through some changes during production. Alicia Vikander and Daisy Edgar-Jones were initially cast but later replaced by Vanessa Kirby and Sydney Sweeney. These changes happened partly due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which paused many productions.
Critics have given Eden mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 57% rating, and Metacritic scores it 60 out of 100, which means opinions are average. Some praise the performances and the story, while others find it less exciting than expected.
From what we’ve seen in the trailer and heard from the cast and crew, Eden offers a tense, dramatic look at survival and human nature in a beautiful but dangerous place. Ron Howard’s direction and the strong acting lineup promise an intense movie experience.
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