Ruins (film)

Ruins (film) is a 2008 American-Australian horror film directed by Carter Smith and starring Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey, and Joe Anderson. It is based on the 2006 novel The Ruins by Scott Smith, who also wrote the screenplay.

The film follows a group of American tourists vacationing in Mexico who embark on a trip to find a hidden Mayan ruin. They are warned by locals to stay away, but they disregard the warnings and venture into the jungle. Upon reaching the ruins, they discover that the site is surrounded by hostile, vine-like plants that are sentient and actively try to kill them. Trapped at the top of the pyramid structure by armed locals who prevent them from leaving, the group is forced to confront the horrifying reality of the plants and fight for their survival.

The film is noted for its graphic violence, suspense, and psychological horror elements. It explores themes of isolation, desperation, and the breakdown of human relationships under extreme pressure. The practical effects used to create the killer vines were praised, contributing to the film's unsettling atmosphere. While commercially successful, the film received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its suspense and horror elements, and others criticizing its plot and character development.