"More Violence"...Is that what we are after?

Eden Lake is released in Singapore in 2009. A couple (Steve and Jennifer) goes camping; unaware that their fates will soon be in the hands of a gang of cruel youths-of-today. The title suits this movie because "eden", gives the impression of a peaceful environment, but will eventually turn into a chaotic scenerio.

This movie portrays a communication process through the use of the Transactional Model .



Firstly, communicators of this model are the director (encoder) and the audience (decoders). James Watkin's (director) message to the audience was in the form of 2 questions. "How would normal people react towards violence inorder to survive?" and "How to control troubled youths of today?" Viewers had responded that those ill-bred teens (in the movie) should be killed, therefore, proving that communication is in play. Here is an example of a viewer's response.



Secondly, Watkin created a dark and sinister environment in his movie to further put his message through to his audience. He made the eerie deserted woods his main setting, added excellent sound effects when someone was tortured, showed the audience how despicable the teenagers were (through their actions), etc. Therefore, putting the viewers in the shoes of both the killers and/or victims--literally see what they see and feel what they feel. The scene below is the perfect example of the environment portrayed to the viewers by Watkin.



However, it is a real pity that this film never had a 3D version (unlike the brainless final destination 4 which had) because I am sure that it would have heightened the entire movie experience to another level.



Finally, this environment does exert both negative and positive influences on the audience. Positive influences: Some of the audiences, especially parents, will make sure that their children are well-disciplined and also ensure that they do not become abusive parents that the youngsters might model after.

Negative influences: Although, this movie is rated M-18, it might send out wrong messages to the teenagers who are applicable to watch this--That Murder Can Be Committed for One's Own Pleasure. Therefore, there is the possibility that potential killer(s) might be groomed in the process, hence, bringing the horrors from screen to life.

Likewise, this is Watkin's first production as a director, therefore, the audiences' critics will positively influence him to work harder in the areas that he is lacking in.



This movie, with all its twists and turns, will keep you at the edge of your seat , and I do highly recommend movie-goers to watch it. It is unlike the "you've seen one, you've seen them all" sort of gore movie because it mirrors reality. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

I rate it 3/5.