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Last updated: 27 Jun 2026 at 23:47 UTC

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Review of by Johnny T — 22 Feb 2011

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In order to appreciate The Ruins, one has to be a die-hard fan of horror or bloody thrillers. Those in that category will discover that The Ruins delivers the goods. First-time feature director Carter Smith, working with resourceful cinematographer Darius Khondji, pulls off the neat trick of using the wide screen to claustrophobic effect. And the actors give such a convincing display of starvation-fueled fear that they deserve their own private craft-service table. The Ruins is, with one major caveat, about as good an adaptation of Scott Smith's bestselling novel as Hollywood was ever going to make.

VERDICT: "Rental" - (Negative to Mixed reaction). These films are only worth renting because of certain good things that are worth seeing, but are not worth paying at a theater to see due to bad things that overcome anything good.

This review of The Ruins (2008) was written by on 22 Feb 2011.

The Ruins has generally received mixed reviews.

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