Ron Howard’s fact-based thriller Eden movie, starring Ana de Armas and Sydney Sweeney, has found a new and enthusiastic audience on Netflix, becoming a top-streamed film after a quiet run in theaters.
The historical survival movie Eden arrived on Netflix in the United States recently and immediately entered the service’s Top 10 most popular movies. The film, which struggled to earn only $2.5 million during its theatrical release against a $55 million budget, is now connecting with viewers who may have missed it in cinemas.
Directed by Academy Award-winner Ron Howard, the film tells the shocking true story of several European groups who attempted to build a utopian society on the remote Floreana Island in the Galápagos during the 1930s. The star-studded cast features Jude Law, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Brühl, Ana de Armas, and Sydney Sweeney.
The True Story Behind the Paradise Lost
The film is based on real events that have fascinated historians and inspired books and documentaries for decades. In 1929, German philosopher Dr. Friedrich Ritter and his partner Dore Strauch left their homeland, disillusioned by the rise of fascism, to create a simple, peaceful life on an uninhabited island. Ritter wrote letters about their experiment that were published in German newspapers, inadvertently inspiring others to follow.
In 1932, the Wittmer family—Heinz, Margret, and their young son—arrived, hoping the tropical climate would cure the boy’s tuberculosis. Later that same year, a third group landed with very different plans. Baroness Eloise Wehrborn de Wagner-Bosquet, accompanied by two lovers, announced her intention to build a luxury hotel to attract wealthy tourists. The clash between these groups—one seeking philosophical solitude, one a healthy family life, and one a commercial venture—quickly turned the supposed paradise into a pressure cooker of conflicting desires.
“This romantic idea that you could be your best self if you could just get away from modern society is something that we share to this day,” director Ron Howard said in an interview. “Yet the problem is we drag society with us because we are society.”
A Cast of Clashing Characters
The film brings these intense historical figures to life with a powerful ensemble cast. Jude Law plays the idealistic yet rigid Dr. Friedrich Ritter, with Vanessa Kirby as his devoted partner, Dore Strauch, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. Daniel Brühl and Sydney Sweeney portray the pragmatic Wittmer couple, Heinz and Margret. Ana de Armas takes on the role of the manipulative and hedonistic Baroness, whose arrival disrupts the fragile balance on the island.
The role of Margret Wittmer marks a notable shift for Sydney Sweeney, who is often cast in more overtly glamorous roles. In Eden, she plays a determined, maternal settler fighting to protect her family in an unforgiving environment. Ana de Armas’s Baroness serves as the film’s chaotic antagonist, a figure whose grandiose plans and cruel manipulations directly lead to violence.
From Theatrical Disappointment to Streaming Success
Eden premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2024 and was released in U.S. theaters by Vertical Entertainment on August 22, 2025. Despite its prestigious director and cast, the film earned a modest $1.6 million domestically and only $2.5 million worldwide, making it a significant box office underperformance given its budget.
Critical reception was mixed. The film holds a 57% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus stating it provides “a starry cast and salacious thrills as compensation” despite a “melodramatic dramatization”. However, audience scores have been more favorable.
The film’s arrival on Netflix has dramatically changed its trajectory. Shortly after its debut on the platform, Eden climbed to become the eighth most popular movie on Netflix in the U.S., outperforming other new releases. This pattern is common for films that find a larger audience in the accessible, discoverable environment of streaming after a limited theatrical run.
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Where to Watch Eden
For viewers in the United States, Eden is currently available to stream on Netflix. The film is also available to rent or purchase on major digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu.
The film was released on Amazon Prime Video in many other international territories, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and parts of Europe and Asia, on October 24, 2025. Audiences should check their local Netflix library to see if Eden is available in their region.
The movie is rated R for its violent content, some sexual material, and language, with a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes.
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