The Ruins

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1:04

The Ruins

R

Released Apr 4, 2008

1h 31m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

97 Reviews

30%

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250,000+ Ratings

Amy (Jena Malone), Stacy (Laura Ramsey), Jeff (Jonathan Tucker) and Eric (Shawn Ashmore) look for fun during a sunny holiday in Mexico, but they get much more than that after visiting an archaeological dig in the jungle. Carnivorous vines try to ensnare the friends in their tendrils, forcing the group to fight for survival.

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Critics Consensus

Despite a solid cast and truly frightening source material, The Ruins founders, thanks to a weak script and an excess of gore.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

It had me squirming, and the sheer anarchy and amoral chaos involved was refreshing.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 18, 2008

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Smith's singularly bizarre novel managed what this film cannot: fear and sympathy.

Rated: 1/5

Oct 18, 2008

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Empire Magazine

Slick, sick stuff, but save the odd squirm, a killer-plant horror that doesn't grow anywhere.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 20, 2008

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David Day

Horror Movie Talk

If you are in the mood for some interesting body horror and some laughs at a movie that takes itself way too seriously, this is it. It’s not great, but it’s not terrible, and boy, it’s ironically funny.

Rated: 5/10

Aug 11, 2025

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

The narrative itself doesn't really offer many surprises, but its special effects makes for a cringe-inducing experience.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 24, 2023

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Emma Wolfe

SpookyAstronauts

It had a good story, I hadn't seen anything like this in a little while.

Jun 1, 2021

Full Review

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Sue Q

Loved this little horror film with its unexpected gruesomeness. It reminded me of all those drive-in movies I used to enjoy many years ago. Definitely worth a watch!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

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rick d

One of the best horror movies of the decade…..original, you can tell it was based on a book….shows you can make frightening scenes that aren’t so dark that you don’t have a clue what’s going on…loved it when it came out…holds up in 2025. Great acting. Nice twist. A Dreamworks movie surprisingly because it is quite Gorey.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/20/25

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Peter G

Unique and original. Cool setting

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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Esra Y

Had the potential to be a nerve wrecking movie about being trapped in wilderness with a fantasy touch of carnivorous vines but script falls too short for it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/22/25

Full Review

Chris B

I don't understand all the hatred for this film. It's not scary in terms of jump scares, but it is stressful, grim, and anxiety inducing. I also like that the horror isn't shrouded in darkness, in fact, part of the fear is from the exposure to the elements. Hideous decision making aside, the story isn't bad and the acting, Ashmore in particular, is pretty decent.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/22/25

Full Review

Theode A

The last 20 to 25 Minutes were really good but the rest of the movie was really boring. It has some brutal scences, but it wasn't scary at all,

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

Full Review

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Carter Smith

Director

Jonathan Tucker

Jeff

Jena Malone

Amy

Laura Ramsey

Stacy

Shawn Ashmore

Eric

Joe Anderson

Mathias

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The Ruins: Trailer 1

1:04

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Synopsis

Amy (Jena Malone), Stacy (Laura Ramsey), Jeff (Jonathan Tucker) and Eric (Shawn Ashmore) look for fun during a sunny holiday in Mexico, but they get much more than that after visiting an archaeological dig in the jungle. Carnivorous vines try to ensnare the friends in their tendrils, forcing the group to fight for survival.

Director: Carter Smith
Producer: Stuart Cornfeld, Chris Bender
Screenwriter: Scott B. Smith
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: Red Hour Films
Rating: R (Language|Gruesome Images|Nudity|Some Sexuality|Strong Violence)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 2, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.4M
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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