To call Eden Lake ‘bleak’ would be to undersell it. Characters and audience alike, very little reprieve is offered from the lurking terror, the tension often hitting the ceiling but never settling back onto the floor.

Full Review | Nov 27, 2023

A survival thriller with no shortage of cringe inducing moments, Eden Lake hurts to watch at times, but the way Watkins creates such sustaining tension, is impressive.

Full Review | Oct 14, 2021

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.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 17, 2021

Aided by a script with some sharp teeth, as well as the tense action which keeps the film's pace quick, Eden Lake will linger with you afterwards.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 5, 2019

Technically and aesthetically, Eden Lake is torturous, ridiculous and bloodily tedious.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Nov 4, 2018

...it's hard to deny that the ultra-downbeat finale feels needlessly mean-spirited.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Apr 26, 2016

Works exceedingly well, and will probably stick in your gut for a little while.

Full Review | Aug 28, 2015

A solid horror thriller worthy of a watch, if only for its insight in to how easily the hive mentality can be formed, and how merciless it can be.

Full Review | Jun 4, 2013

Well acted, well directed, and totally intense, 'Eden Lake' is the best horror film to come out of the UK in years.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Dec 22, 2008

An effectively harrowing Brit thriller-cum-horror pic whose yuppie protags' weekend getaway runs violently afoul of the local youth.

Full Review | Nov 3, 2008

A gruelling, grimly effective British chiller.

Full Review | Oct 18, 2008

A well acted, smartly directed horror flick that's gory, disturbing, terrifying and topical.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 18, 2008

...while Eden Lake is effective, something feels not quite right about cheering for prepubescent kids to get their fatal comeuppance.

Full Review | Oct 13, 2008

It is impossible not to admire the way Watkins ratchets up the tension in his debut as director (he wrote My Little Eye) and keeps his tale strictly to 90 minutes.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 12, 2008

It's the latest proof that, when it comes to scary movies at least, the British film industry is alive and screaming.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 12, 2008

Daily Mail scaremongering? Possibly. But formidably well-made, all the same.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 12, 2008

Eden Lake: pursuit, persecution, violent death.

Full Review | Sep 12, 2008

It is not often that The Sneak feels like walking out of a movie. But this exploitative, patronising and nauseatingly violent take on Britain's yob culture had your critic eyeing up the exit.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Sep 12, 2008

It's not long before the claret starts to flow. And it won't be too long before you start eyeing the exit sign.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 12, 2008

It doesn't fight shy of a truly frightening final twist, which makes it not only bleaker but also more truthful than virtually every other movie in this genre, which all too often is over-populated and under-humanised.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Sep 12, 2008