Paradise Lost

Director: John Stockwell

Starring: Josh Duhamel, Melissa Georg, Olivia Wilde

A pair of American siblings, along with their close friend Amy, are backpacking through Brazil. Alex, the somewhat uptight but quite likeable older brother (Duhamel, from Transformers and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton), is along to watch out for his wayward, if sometimes naïve, sister, Bea (Olivia Wilde).Surviving a bus crash brings them together with fellow survivors, wild Brits Finn & Liam, and world-wise Australian traveller Pru (Melissa George, from The Amityville Horror). With nothing to do for hours, they explore and seem to find their luck is in, as, just down the hill, is a white sandy beach with a bar. The six of them hook up with Swedes Sven and Annika, who have been there for the past three days; and Brazilian Kiko (Agles Steib), a native studying English. They think they've found a paradise of sun, sand and sex, until they awake after a night of drinking to find themselves stranded on a beach in the middle of nowhere. They realise they’ve been drugged and all their possessions stolen, but this is only the beginning of their nightmare…

Paradise Lost is a gripping horror film. The tension is well staged, especially the finale, which is a truly breathtaking less-is-more scene, leaving the viewer guessing who’s where and who’s still alive. Though not relying on gore, there is some for those who need it. (Who knew that a simple staple gun was such an invaluable surgical tool?) Unlike most horror films, Paradise Lost has a polished feel to it. The horror relies not so much upon bucket loads of guts, but the believable, if sometimes objectionable, characters that one can’t help but relate to. The credit for this has to be given to the main cast, whose acting is of a high standard throughout. In particular, Duhamel and George, who work well together. If you want to experience a taste of the exotic, grip the edge of your seat and have a few laughs along the way, then Paradise Lost is the film for you.

Natalie Tyldesley