Directed by
Eli Roth
Made by
Open Road Films (II)
In the gripping opening scene, a tribesman traverses the dense rain forest alongside a young child from his tribe. Suddenly, they are startled by the thunderous roar of a bulldozer clearing the land.
Fast forward to the bustling atmosphere at Columbia University in New York City, where we meet Justine (Lorenza Izzo), a bright college student who is attending a harrowing lecture on the oppressive traditions faced by women in various African tribes. Disturbed by the content, she later shares her thoughts with her roommate Kaycee (Sky Ferreira), as they observe a group of janitors engaging in a hunger strike to acquire health insurance—an idea they dismiss as foolish.
One day, Justine receives an invitation from another student, Jonah (Aaron Burns), to visit an activist collective spearheaded by Alejandro (Ariel Levy). The group’s mission is focused on the preservation of a tribe nestled deep within the Peruvian jungle. When Justine makes a careless remark about the activists starving themselves in their perilous jungle endeavor, Alejandro reacts defensively and asks her to leave the meeting.
A few days pass, during which Justine seeks out Alejandro to apologize for her insensitivity and expresses her desire to contribute to their cause. Eventually, she and a full entourage of dedicated activists—including Jonah, Alejandro’s girlfriend Kara (Ignacia Allamand), Amy (Kirby Bliss Blanton), Samantha (Magda Apanowicz), Lars (Daryl Sabara), and Daniel (Nicolas Martinez)—embark on a flight to Peru, funded in part by Justine’s father. Before takeoff, however, a sense of unease washes over Amy due to the cramped nature of the small aircraft.
Upon arriving in Peru, the group embarks on a boat journey through the lush jungle towards their destination. They make a brief stop for a bathroom break, during which Lars experiences a fright when a tarantula almost bites him.
The group eventually reaches an area where bulldozers are plundering the land. In a valiant act of defiance, they attempt to sabotage the operation with explosives. However, chaos ensues when Justine finds herself at the mercy of a gunman, thrusting the group into a dangerous confrontation that Alejandro films to document the unfolding events. As reality kicks in, Justine is left traumatized and frustrated by the indifference of her companions when her life hangs in the balance.
Soon after, the activists are rounded up and sent back on a plane, taking stock of their supposed victory. But their celebration is cut short when disaster strikes—the plane’s engine fails, culminating in a disastrous crash that claims the lives of both pilots and sends several others hurtling into the darkness.
In the aftermath, the surviving group encounters hostile villagers. Frantic cries for assistance are met with violence, as Kara is struck by an arrow, leading to their hurried retreat. But as they flee, they are subdued with tranquilizers and taken captive by the Cannibal Headhunters of the tribe.
They find themselves imprisoned in wooden cages, helplessly witnessing horrendous acts as Jonah (Aaron Burns) is subjected to grisly torture, culminating in a grotesque feast with his own remains, sent shudders down the spines of the onlookers.
As the horror intensifies, Amy’s deteriorating mental state leads her to an irreversible decision, pushing Justine and Daniel to devise an escape plan. However, hope dims as they face dire circumstances, with each failed attempt leading to tragedy as their friends succumb to horrific fates amidst the revelries of their captors.
Eventually, guided by a native child who rises to assist her, Justine finds a brief glimmer of freedom while leaving behind the others in their dire straits. She stumbles upon a small militia and pretends to film their deplorable actions, leveraging the situation to secure her own escape while her companions face the villagers’ wrath.
Returning home, Justine stands as the sole survivor, recounting her tale while burying the grisly truth of what occurred. Struggling with her experiences, she is haunted by dreams of Alejandro and the activists’ fate. When she glimpses a group advocating for Alejandro’s return, she is left forced to confront the repercussions of her journey into the heart of darkness.
As the credits roll, a chilling phone call hints at lingering mysteries, with Justine learning from Alejandro’s sister that he may still be alive in the jungle, teasing an unsettling end to her nightmare.
Opening Scene
A tribesman and a young child navigate through the dense rain forest. Their peaceful journey is abruptly interrupted by the sound of a bulldozer clearing the land, highlighting the approaching threats to their home.
Columbia University Lecture
Justine attends a lecture at Columbia University that discusses the oppressive traditions faced by women in various African tribes. Disturbed by the lecture’s content, she shares her concerns with her roommate Kaycee, reflecting on the struggles faced by marginalized communities.
Janitors' Hunger Strike
Justine and Kaycee notice a group of janitors on a hunger strike, demanding health insurance. Despite recognizing the harsh reality of their struggle, they dismiss the activists’ actions as foolish without fully grasping their significance.
Invitation to Activist Collective
Justine receives an invitation from Jonah to join an activist collective led by Alejandro, dedicated to preserving a tribe in the Peruvian jungle. Her initial careless remarks about the activists' dire conditions lead to a confrontation with Alejandro, resulting in her being asked to leave their meeting.
Journey to Peru
After apologizing to Alejandro, Justine gathers a group of activists, including Jonah, Kara, Amy, Samantha, Lars, and Daniel, for a trip to Peru. Their flight, partly funded by Justine’s father, is filled with a mixture of excitement and unease as Amy expresses her discomfort with the tight space.
Boat Journey through the Jungle
Upon arriving in Peru, the group embarks on a boat journey through the lush jungle. They stop briefly for a bathroom break, during which Lars has a frightening encounter with a tarantula, foreshadowing the dangers that lie ahead.
Confrontation with Bulldozers
The activists arrive at a site where bulldozers are destroying the land. In an act of defiance, they attempt to sabotage the operation using explosives, but the situation escalates into chaos when Justine finds herself facing a gunman.
Plane Crash
After what they thought was a successful act of resistance, the activists celebrate but soon face tragedy when their plane’s engine fails. The disastrous crash results in the deaths of the pilots and leaves the surviving activists in dire circumstances.
Hostile Encounter
The survivors encounter hostile villagers as they seek help, but their cries fall on deaf ears. A violent skirmish ensues when Kara is hit by an arrow, prompting the group to retreat in panic while being pursued.
Capture by Cannibal Headhunters
While fleeing, the activists are subdued with tranquilizers and taken captive by the Cannibal Headhunters. Imprisoned in wooden cages, they witness horrifying acts of violence, including Jonah's gruesome torture and ultimate demise.
Descent into Madness
As conditions worsen, Amy's mental state deteriorates, leading her to make a tragic choice. Justine and Daniel begin to devise an escape plan, but their attempts are met with escalating horrors and the loss of their friends.
Justine's Escape
Guided by a native child, Justine discovers a brief chance for escape. She pretends to film the militia's actions to navigate her way out while leaving behind her companions, who are still trapped in captivity.
Return Home
Justine returns to her home as the sole survivor of the horrific ordeal, grappling with the trauma of her experiences. She recounts her harrowing journey, wrestling with guilt over abandoning her friends and the horrifying truth of their fates.
Lingering Mysteries
Haunted by memories of Alejandro and the activists, Justine struggles to come to terms with the aftermath of her journey. A chilling phone call reveals that Alejandro may still be alive in the jungle, hinting at unresolved mysteries lingering from her traumatic experience.
Justine (Lorenza Izzo)
Justine is a bright and ambitious college student whose naivety and eagerness to help lead her into a perilous situation. As the sole survivor of a horrific ordeal, she grapples with trauma and guilt, haunted by the memories of her lost friends and the choices that brought her there. Her character arc reflects a harsh wake-up call to the realities of activism and survival.
Alejandro (Ariel Levy)
Alejandro is the charismatic leader of the activist group, driven by passion but also fraught with the responsibilities of leadership. His strong ideals are quickly challenged as events spiral out of control, showcasing the complexities of activism and the burdens that come with it. Alejandro's role serves as a catalyst for Justine's transformation.
Amy (Kirby Bliss Blanton)
Amy is a dedicated activist who becomes increasingly unstable as the group's situation worsens. Her mental decline highlights the psychological toll of their harrowing experience and serves as a reflection of the film's horror elements. She embodies the fragility of hope in dire circumstances.
Jonah (Aaron Burns)
Jonah is an earnest member of the activist group who faces unimaginable horrors in the jungle. His fate serves as a poignant reminder of the stakes involved in their activism, and his character's demise underscores the brutal realities that can accompany noble intentions.
Time period
The film reflects contemporary societal issues, focusing on modern activism, environmental destruction, and the exploitation of indigenous peoples. It explores the themes of Western privilege and the consequences of actions taken in the name of activism in today’s globalized world.
Location
Peruvian jungle, Columbia University, New York City
The movie takes place in the lush and perilous Peruvian jungle, known for its rich biodiversity and indigenous cultures. Important scenes unfold at Columbia University in New York City, a prestigious academic institution that becomes the starting point for Justine’s journey. The contrast between the bustling urban environment and the isolated, threatening jungle highlights the stark differences in the characters' experiences.
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Activism
The film dives deep into the theme of activism, exploring the motivations and consequences faced by individuals fighting for a cause. Justine's journey from a misinformed student to a survivor raises questions about the effectiveness and risks tied to activism, especially in culturally sensitive regions. As the narrative unfolds, the complexities of participating in such movements become painfully evident.
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Survival Horror
Survival horror is a prevalent theme, underscoring the visceral fear and trauma experienced by the characters. As they face the brutal realities of being captured by cannibals, the horror encapsulates both physical survival and the psychological terror of helplessness. The narrative paints a harrowing picture of survival against unfathomable odds.
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Colonialism
The theme of colonialism is explored through the lens of Western intervention in indigenous lands. The activists' naive intentions to save a tribe parallel the often disruptive influence of outsiders in native territories. The movie critiques the paternalistic attitudes that can accompany well-meaning activism, revealing the deeper wounds caused by such actions.
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