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Parents' Guide to

Eden Lake

By Alistair Lawrence, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Psychological horror has gory violence, language, nudity.

Movie R 2008 91 minutes
Eden Lake Poster Image

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Is It Any Good?

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Kids say (2 ):

Strong performances from a talented cast help lift this British horror's so-so script to the point where it can be looked back on as an early outing for some notable British and Irish talent. Among Eden Lake's impressive cast, Fassbender stars unusually as a romantic lead, rather than the one carrying an air of menace. But his headstrong Steve still manages to aggravate the conflicts with the local teen delinquents. Meanwhile O'Connell is largely wasted in the underwritten role of violent ringleader Brett, as he dutifully spits and snarls his way through a list of movie villain clichés. Beating a path through the madness that unfolds is Reilly as traumatized schoolteacher Jenny. Yet despite starring, she is reduced to a foil for all the violence.

The movie's early, simmering tensions provide its most effective scenes. A sharper exploration of the inequalities that are hinted at driving the locals to become so lawless would've made for something far more original -- and horrifying.

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