The Ruins (2008)

Director:

Carter Smith

Writers (WGA):

Scott B. Smith (screenplay)
Scott B. Smith (novel)

Release Date:

4 April 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Terror has evolved.

Plot:

A group of friends whose leisurely Mexican holiday takes a turn for the worse when they, along with a fellow tourist embark on a remote archaeological dig in the jungle, where something evil lives among the ruins. |

Plot Keywords:

Survival | Monster | Blood | Chase | Bandage

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Jonathan Tucker	...	Jeff McIntire
Jena Malone	...	Amy
Laura Ramsey	...	Stacy
Shawn Ashmore	...	Eric
Joe Anderson	...	Mathias
Sergio Calderón	...	Lead Mayan
Balder Moreno	...	Mayan Horseman
Dimitri Baveas	...	Dimitri
Patricio Almeida Rodriguez	...	Taxi Driver
Mario Jurado	...	Mayan Archer
Luis Antonio Ramos	...	Mayan Rifleman #1 (as Luis Ramos)
Walter Quispe	...	Mayan Rifleman #2
Pauline Whyman	...	Wailing Woman
Nathan Vega	...	Mayan Boy
Tanisha Marquez-Munduate	...	Mayan Girl

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and gruesome images, language, some sexuality and nudity.

Runtime:

USA:91 min

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English | Maya | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #44170) | Netherlands:16 | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Australia:MA | Singapore:M18 (cut) | Finland:K-13 | South Africa:16LV | Ireland:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | Canada:13+ (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Company:

BenderSpink

Goofs:

Factual errors: While on top of the ruins, a bottle containing an amber colored liquid is shown several times. At one or two points the label is visible, saying "Blanco tequila." Blanco (white) tequila is completely colorless.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Archeologist #2: Help me!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Ashton Kutcher/Gnarls Barkley (#33.10)" (2008)

Damn Good.

I wasn't too psyched for this movie beforehand, but I got a free pass and figured why the hell not and wound up seeing one of the better horror films I've seen in a good while. Thes best thing I can say about "The Ruins" is that it plays its hand honestly, there's no tweeny BS, no winking at the camera, it's just a classic situational horror film that just keeps getting from bad to worse in the best possible way. Like I said, I got in for free and I kinda feel like I owe 'The Ruins" 10 bucks. But as a small caveat, I saw this film with a bunch of pretentious jackasses sitting behind me and surprise surprise, they didn't like it. So if you fall into that category than do yourselves and anyone who can enjoy a straight shot horror film a favor and stay away.