A movie about people trying to build paradise in the 1930s Galápagos Islands is now streaming on Netflix. Eden brings together an impressive cast including Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Sydney Sweeney, and Daniel Brühl to tell a story that is more unbelievable because it’s true. Directed by Ron Howard, the film explores what happens when very different groups of people collide on a remote island with no rules.
The movie is based on the real-life “Galápagos Affair,” a strange series of events involving European settlers in the early 20th century. After a quiet theatrical release, it arrived on Netflix US on December 23, 2025. Critics gave it mixed reviews, but many viewers find its blend of history, drama, and survival tension hard to ignore.
What Is the Movie Eden About?
Eden is set on Floreana, an uninhabited island in the Galápagos archipelago. The story begins in 1929 with Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law) and Dore Strauch (Vanessa Kirby), a German couple who have left their old lives behind. Friedrich, a philosopher and doctor, wants to create a new, ideal society away from what he sees as a collapsing Europe. He writes letters about his life that are published in German newspapers, attracting unexpected followers.
Their solitude ends in 1932 when the Wittmer family arrives. Heinz (Daniel Brühl) and Margret (Sydney Sweeney), along with Heinz’s son, are inspired by Friedrich’s writings and seek a fresh start. They are hardworking and practical, quickly learning to survive. Shortly after, a third group lands on the shore: a flamboyant Baroness (Ana de Armas) accompanied by her two lovers. She announces grand plans to build a luxury hotel for millionaires.
The core conflict of the film isn’t battling the harsh wilderness—it’s the battle between these three groups and their completely different visions for the island. One seeks philosophical purity, another wants a simple family life, and the third dreams of profit and pleasure. Their competing goals and personalities create a pressure cooker of jealousy, manipulation, and violence, turning their dream of Eden into a nightmare.
“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 told TIME. “Yet the problem is we drag society with us because we are society.”
Cast and Key Characters
The film’s strength lies in its ensemble cast, each playing a distinct and historically based role.
- Jude Law as Dr. Friedrich Ritter: The idealistic, self-righteous leader who becomes increasingly unhinged. Law plays him as arrogant and deeply unlikable, which is by design.
- Vanessa Kirby as Dore Strauch: Friedrich’s partner, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and grows disillusioned with their life and his philosophy.
- Sydney Sweeney as Margret Wittmer: A quietly strong and capable woman who proves to be the toughest survivor of them all. Her performance, especially during a harrowing solo childbirth scene, is a highlight for many viewers.
- Daniel Brühl as Heinz Wittmer: Margret’s steadfast husband, whose practical skills and decency provide a moral anchor.
- Ana de Armas as The Baroness: A scene-stealing, campy, and manipulative force of chaos. She arrives with plans for a hotel and delights in disrupting the others.
Supporting roles include Jonathan Tittel as Harry Wittmer, and Felix Kammerer and Toby Wallace as the Baroness’s lovers.
How True Is the Story of Eden?
Eden is based on a true story, one so strange that screenwriter Noah Pink and star Sydney Sweeney have both expressed amazement that it actually happened.
The real Dr. Friedrich Ritter and Dore Strauch moved to Floreana in 1929. He did indeed publish essays about his life, which drew the real Wittmer family to the island in 1932. The enigmatic Baroness Eloise Wehrborn de Wagner-Bosquet also arrived that same year with two men.
The central mystery—the sudden disappearance of the Baroness and one of her lovers in 1934—remains officially unsolved. The film draws from the two conflicting memoirs written by the women who stayed: Dore Strauch’s Satan Came to Eden (1936) and Margret Wittmer’s Floreana (1989). Their accounts disagree on key points, leaving the full truth of what happened open to interpretation.
What Do Critics and Audiences Say?
The critical reception for Eden has been divided. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 57% approval rating from critics, who note its “melodramatic dramatization” but admit it offers “a starry cast and salacious thrills”.
- The Praises: Many reviews highlight the bold performances, particularly from Ana de Armas and Sydney Sweeney, and the film’s willingness to embrace its own absurdity. The fact that it’s based on a jaw-dropping true story adds a compelling layer.
- The Criticisms: Common critiques mention the film’s long runtime (over two hours), occasional tonal shifts, and a plot that some feel doesn’t fully explore its philosophical ideas.
Audience reactions on platforms like IMDb are generally more positive. Many viewers find it a fascinating and engaging watch, especially if they were unaware of the historical events beforehand. The general feeling is that it’s a flawed but very entertaining movie.
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Final Verdict: Stream It or Skip It?
Stream it if: You enjoy fact-is-stranger-than-fiction historical dramas, have a taste for dark humor and melodrama, or are a fan of any actor in the stellar cast. It’s perfect for viewers who like survival stories where the biggest threat isn’t nature, but human nature itself.
Consider skipping if: You prefer tightly paced, subtle thrillers or are looking for a serious, grounded historical biopic. The film’s over-the-top moments and runtime may not work for everyone.
Content Note: The film is rated R for violence, sexual content, nudity, and language.
Where to Watch Eden
- Netflix US: The film is available to stream now.
- Other Regions: International distribution rights vary. In territories like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, the film is distributed by Amazon Prime Video. Viewers outside the US should check their local streaming services.
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