#22 - The Ruins (2008)
(dir. Carter Smith)
A group of American students on vacation in Mexico meet up with some other travelers and set off to explore an archaeological dig site. They are told it's an ancient Mayan pyramid that isn't even on any maps, and that the brother of one of the guys they met is there with his archaeologist girlfriend. When they arrive at the site, it appears abandoned - until some local villagers show up and start shouting and threatening them with guns. The villagers speak no English or Spanish, so no one understands what they want. After one of the tourists touches some vines that are growing all over everything, the locals shoot and kill him with arrows. Everyone understandably starts freaking out and they rush to the top of the pyramid, which proves to be a mistake. The locals won't let them leave, they have no phone reception, and there's something very hostile in that temple. Yes, this movie is about killer plants - it's a silly premise, but the film plays it straight and I think makes it work.
I read the novel by Scott Smith that this is based on years ago and really liked it, and for some reason was under the impression that this film adaptation wasn't any good. I'm pleased to say I was totally mistaken. The screenplay is actually written by Smith, and it shows - it captures all the important elements of the story and keeps the same tone while still condensing things down enough to fit into a 90 minute film. There are one or two moments that felt a little rushed to me, but overall it is paced really well.
This was a really effective horror film. I find the idea of being caught somewhere you aren't supposed to be and totally unprepared to survive freaky enough, but this film builds on that with a literally hostile environment and some very gruesome body horror. The book has a couple of extremely graphic and memorable scenes and they are fully present here. I didn't think the ending was fully satisfying, but everything up to it was really excellent so it wasn't enough to bother me.
Most definitely recommended.
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