"The Ruins"

Seen on: April 4, 2008

The players: Director: Carter Smith, Writer: Scott B. Smith, Cast: Jonathan Tucker, Laura Ramsey, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Sergio Calderon

Facts of interest: Based on screenwriter Scott B. Smith's own novel.

The plot: Four American friends are vacationing in Mexico, where they stumble across a mysterious ruin inhabited by an evil force. 

Our thoughts: “The Ruins” is an intense, clever horror film that boats enough action and suspense to make you curl up in your seat with your eyes glued to the screen. It’s a shame really that the studios didn’t push the film enough, because it arrived quietly in theaters this weekend without having been screened for critics.

Based on the acclaimed novel by Scott B. Smith, the film opens with four American friends enjoying their vacation in a luxury resort in Mexico. Shortly before heading home, they meet a German tourist who invites them on a trip to visit an archaeological site. The excursion seems to be the perfect opportunity to conclude a great holiday, at least until they discover the ruins hold a dark, deadly secret that may cost them their lives.

For once, here’s a horror film that delivers the goods by being incredibly simple. Yes, that’s right. Simple. I know that’s usually one of the main reasons why so many movies crash and burn these days, but in the case of “The Ruins,” it’s just the right formula. In essence, the film succeeds because it maintains incredible tension throughout.

Instead of following a bunch of premature teenagers being chased and slaughtered one by one by an evil creature or psycho, the flick focuses on a group of young students who quickly realize the gravity of their situation and understand their chances for survival are limited. Continuous terror in “The Ruins” works out far better than blatant shock effects.

Some 30 minutes into the film, the pace of the plot quickly changes and the suspense increases substantially. The ruins are a scary place to be, but the scariest thing in the flick is the fact that the characters can’t leave. In addition to the intense atmosphere of the plot, “The Ruins” also boasts a heavy dose of blood. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a splatter movie, but some scenes are indeed quite tough to watch. Strong stomach required.

I haven’t read Smith’s novel, but I heard his screenplay remains mostly faithful to the book. The only problem I have with the film is the ending. Again, I cannot talk about how it compares to the one of the book, but for me, they really rushed it. Considering how much time and effort the filmmakers put into establishing solid characters and how they deal with their fear and desperate situation, the final showdown could have easily been improved.

The cast of young actors is top-notch. They all deliver authentic performances, which is essential because the characters they play largely contribute to the film’s success. There’s Jena Malone, who in my opinion is always right on target. Her character may be a little more annoying than others because of her hysteric attitude, but that’s not her fault. Acting honors, however, go to Laura Ramsey and Joe Anderson, who both provide the most energetic performances. 

Freaky quote: "We're being quarantined here.” – Jena Malone

The final word: Besides the clever script and the talented cast, “The Ruins works for a variety of other reasons. One is Carter Smith’s edgy direction. The other is Darius Khondji’s top-notch cinematography, which boosts the suspense and gives the film a gorgeous look. “The Ruins” is clearly a film for those who appreciate watching a bloody flick in which the story and importance of the characters play a crucial role. A better ending would have made the film even better, but at least we get to enjoy a break from the generic teen horror circus. Yay!