The Ruins (2008)

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

Director:

Carter Smith

Writers:

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

Stars:

Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone, Jonathan Tucker

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jonathan Tucker	...	Jeff
Jena Malone	...	Amy
Laura Ramsey	...	Stacy
Shawn Ashmore	...	Eric
Joe Anderson	...	Mathias
Sergio Calderón	...	Lead Mayan (as Sergio Calderon)
Jesse Ramirez	...	Mayan Bowman
Balder Moreno	...	Mayan Horseman
Dimitri Baveas	...	Dimitri
Patricio Almeida Rodriguez	...	Taxi Driver
Mario Jurado	...	Mayan Archer
Luis Antonio Ramos	...	Mayan Rifleman (as Luis Ramos)
Walter Quispe	...	Mayan Rifleman
Pauline Whyman	...	Wailing Woman
Nathan Vega	...	Mayan Boy

Storyline

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

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Plot Keywords:

scantily clad female | female nudity | bikini | white panties | panties | 

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Taglines:

Terror has evolved.

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Genres:

Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The graphic amputation scene was the first to be presented to studio executives for approval.

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Goofs

(at around 58 mins) When Jeff is cutting Mathias's legs off, Mathias lifts his shoulders and head off the ground yet his back is broken from the fall so he would not be able to do that.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Archeologist #2: [She is sobbing, then begins to scream:] Help me! Somebody, help! Somebody! Help! Help me!

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Body Horror Movies (2015)

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Soundtracks

Ponmelo
Written by Edgard Jaude, Rafael Torres, Michael A. Garcia
Courtesy of Sonic Quiver Music and Engine Co 35 Music Publishing

User Reviews

Intense survival horror

Usually, in a horror, you have the group of hopeless people running around from a monster, or at least one type of monster. Here, you get to be killed by plants, people and even the women in your group. In my opinion, the women easily took top spot.

Anyway, the film has a Serge Brussolo feel to it. I have been waiting for movies after his books since forever. This is the closest yet. That doesn't mean it doesn't have its flaws, mainly the victims who almost made me hope for their early death.

Bottom line: almost of the same caliber as The Descent, but a bit more psychological than that, without being any less disturbing. Certainly worth a watch. And if there is any sequel, maybe set in a town this time, I would like to see it.

Details

Country:

USA Germany Australia

Language:

English Maya Spanish Greek German

Release Date:

4 April 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Ruins

Filming Locations:

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,003,421, 6 April 2008

Gross USA:

$17,432,844

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$22,818,256

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dreamworks Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Red Hour Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 93 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1