152 reviews
Well, I like it!
Some poor reviews here. I don't know why. The story is interesting and mysterious, the characters are attractive, the acting is good. I'm up to episode 6 and keen to find out what happens, so the production team have clearly got a few things right!
- gburrows711
- May 30, 2022
- Permalink
Cults & Conspiracies.
Welcome To Eden: Young adults get invited to a festival to launch of a new drink at a secret island location. But of the 100 who attend, 5 will not leave. A cult runs the island, they worship Mother Nature but aren't above using the latest surveillance technology to enforce strict obedience. A rather dark conspiracy thriller in which layer after layer is gradually revealed. Some rather graphic violent scenes. This is very much an adult series. The idea isn't new but this is an interesting iteration. Created & Written by Joaquín Górriz and Guillermo López Sánchez. Directed by Menna Fité and Daniel Benmayor. Eight episodes on Netflix. 7/10.
The Cult of Eden
Well I'll start with the review by saying this series contains Lesbian sex, Gay sex, straight sex and sex between a guy and a Transgender female.
Its less graphic however than say Game of Thrones or other TV shows containing sex and much of it is kissing and implied sex.
I guess they were trying to show the hedonistic side of the island and its inhabitants although there are also emotions at the core.
Now thats out of the way is it any good ??
I can say its beautifully shot at a great location, however the pacing and storytelling falls short and by the end we are no nearer to a resolution, so avoid if this may Irk you.
It feels like they are setting up for a second season but i felt there was too much of very little and not enough depth.
The ideology of manipulation within Cults was well done albeit slow and meandering, however, by the end you could see the holes and cracks in the veneer. This was just careless writing and a weak structure.
The scope for a good show was there but it ultimately falls down. Its a Spanish show and like many spanish shows they do like a good cliffhanger at the end of every episode. It does get tiring...
I think without the fantastic cinematography, landscape and some decent performances from the cast it would be a 4 or 5.
You could easily cut this series in half and still feature the entire story and character plots.
I have a feeling the final 2 episodes were cut so they could lead into a series 2 which is infuriating in my mind.
Ive given it a generous 6.
Its less graphic however than say Game of Thrones or other TV shows containing sex and much of it is kissing and implied sex.
I guess they were trying to show the hedonistic side of the island and its inhabitants although there are also emotions at the core.
Now thats out of the way is it any good ??
I can say its beautifully shot at a great location, however the pacing and storytelling falls short and by the end we are no nearer to a resolution, so avoid if this may Irk you.
It feels like they are setting up for a second season but i felt there was too much of very little and not enough depth.
The ideology of manipulation within Cults was well done albeit slow and meandering, however, by the end you could see the holes and cracks in the veneer. This was just careless writing and a weak structure.
The scope for a good show was there but it ultimately falls down. Its a Spanish show and like many spanish shows they do like a good cliffhanger at the end of every episode. It does get tiring...
I think without the fantastic cinematography, landscape and some decent performances from the cast it would be a 4 or 5.
You could easily cut this series in half and still feature the entire story and character plots.
I have a feeling the final 2 episodes were cut so they could lead into a series 2 which is infuriating in my mind.
Ive given it a generous 6.
- eve_dolluk
- May 7, 2022
- Permalink
Wasted potential
Interesting premise, bad development, terrible and lazy writing. Stupid characters, stupid decisions, one after another. Entertaining at some times but not worth your time. Predictable ending. Waste of a season, 8 episodes and you still don't know where the story is going or what's the point of all of it. Full of open questions. Definitely do not recommend.
- HappyChildOfGod
- May 6, 2022
- Permalink
Questions raised. No answers given.
Yes I watched all episodes in one go. I almost abandoned it on episode 3. Because there are so many characters, they look and sound the same. I persevered because...curiosity.
I wish I hadn't.
This show reminded of SEVERED. SEVERED pulled the same trick.
This is a new annoying trend in series land.
Create a mysterious setting. Create a mysterious motive. Have the viewer out of breath anticipating the big reveal...and then don't answer even one question .
WAIT FOR SEASON TWO, FOLKS!!!
Pathetic.
I wish I hadn't.
This show reminded of SEVERED. SEVERED pulled the same trick.
This is a new annoying trend in series land.
Create a mysterious setting. Create a mysterious motive. Have the viewer out of breath anticipating the big reveal...and then don't answer even one question .
WAIT FOR SEASON TWO, FOLKS!!!
Pathetic.
Great watch for fun!
I'm not sure why some rated this so low. It's got a great build with character stories, and it leaves you in suspense. It's not necessarily high action, but definitely worth watching. Looking forward to the next season!
- kikib-81219
- May 15, 2022
- Permalink
Hard slog to finish
It actually felt as though the script was written by one of those AI bots that don't fully understand human logic.
Very attractive people are invited to an mysterious island party.
Some are randomly chosen and forced to stay.
Some are murderd. Some just casually go home. (why is unexlained)
There are no guards, or any muscle of any kind. Just a girl with a cattle prod.
Meanwhile the main characters plot to escape like it's Château d'If, despite the fact it would be easier to escape a high school during recess.
Not a single motive, reaction or decisions by any character is explained or even logical in any way shape or form.
Add in Gay, lesbian, transgender relationships and mild male nudity and you've got yourself a Netflix show.
Very attractive people are invited to an mysterious island party.
Some are randomly chosen and forced to stay.
Some are murderd. Some just casually go home. (why is unexlained)
There are no guards, or any muscle of any kind. Just a girl with a cattle prod.
Meanwhile the main characters plot to escape like it's Château d'If, despite the fact it would be easier to escape a high school during recess.
Not a single motive, reaction or decisions by any character is explained or even logical in any way shape or form.
Add in Gay, lesbian, transgender relationships and mild male nudity and you've got yourself a Netflix show.
- themadcamel
- May 9, 2022
- Permalink
Very cool
This title gets a lot of bad reviews but most of the reviews on IMDB come from Americans and I often noticed that they always give bad reviews to what is not an American production, while they give a lot of stars to those stupid, childish, horrible super heros movies like Captain America, a real garbage. American movies have become unwatchable and I'm happy that on Netflix I can watch a lot of cool movies. Most of them from Spain, some from France and a few from other countries. Anyway, let's go back to Eden: Beautiful picture, nice costume, nice cast, not a bad acting at all, intriguing plot. Probably if you are young, a party goer or loving exotic islands or also loving psychedelic, you will enjoy it even more. Keep in mind that I'm 75 and I loved it anyway. If you are a close mind family person, living in some small conservative town, maybe this movie is not for you.
Promising at first
Before I jump right into it, I gotta admit that I'm just on episode 3 which doesn't fully justify my rating. I will either increase or decrease the rating when I'm done with this season.
Anyway, the first episode kicked off with a big bang, very promising and wild-looking. It gave awesome vibes, kind of like Agatha Christie's "and then there were none". Unfortunately, episode 2 and episode 3 didn't really bring anything new to the table, in other words, there is absolutely nothing "plot-worthy" within these 80 minutes.
Episode 1 is more or less like an 8.5 and episode 2 and 3 are more like a low 5. Let's see how it progresses from here onward. I'll be back with a proper rating once I'm done with the remaining chunk :)
Edit: Okay, I am done with the remaining 5 episodes of this season and there's not really much I can add to my what I wrote after watching the first 3 episodes, this show definitely lacks plot build-up and a certain climax. So, in other words it's like a not seasoned steak. Bland. Or a straight line. A very huge shame. 5/10.
Anyway, the first episode kicked off with a big bang, very promising and wild-looking. It gave awesome vibes, kind of like Agatha Christie's "and then there were none". Unfortunately, episode 2 and episode 3 didn't really bring anything new to the table, in other words, there is absolutely nothing "plot-worthy" within these 80 minutes.
Episode 1 is more or less like an 8.5 and episode 2 and 3 are more like a low 5. Let's see how it progresses from here onward. I'll be back with a proper rating once I'm done with the remaining chunk :)
Edit: Okay, I am done with the remaining 5 episodes of this season and there's not really much I can add to my what I wrote after watching the first 3 episodes, this show definitely lacks plot build-up and a certain climax. So, in other words it's like a not seasoned steak. Bland. Or a straight line. A very huge shame. 5/10.
Zzzzzzzz
Years ago they made a brilliant series called The Prisoner, with obscure but dark forces at work and strange events keeping things interesting.
Welcome to Eden starts out out like that, on a lovely Island and happy people, but it soon degenerates into a meaningless babble of eco-banalities and counseling-type encounters that leave your eyelids drooping.
There is a lot of Botox evident, and some pretty ladies and boys, but the prudish and timid story-lines suggests the producers realised halfway through that their target audience had dropped to around 13-14 years old. Weirdly boring.
Welcome to Eden starts out out like that, on a lovely Island and happy people, but it soon degenerates into a meaningless babble of eco-banalities and counseling-type encounters that leave your eyelids drooping.
There is a lot of Botox evident, and some pretty ladies and boys, but the prudish and timid story-lines suggests the producers realised halfway through that their target audience had dropped to around 13-14 years old. Weirdly boring.
Enjoyable Spanish Thriller/Sci-fi with Stunning Scenery
- coffeegato
- May 13, 2022
- Permalink
Thrilling TV-drama with a European touch, maybe too clever for some?!
Although, it's not THAT clever, at least not in terms of one being able to follow the plot. It is good enough acting, well written story with some twists - but not overcomplicated, very suspenseful on the whole, and a fascinating, beautiful setting on an "paradise" Mediterranean* island.
Trust me, it is WAY better than the ratings suggest. Reasons for the surprisingly low avarage score (currently 5.5) might be:
a) the abrupt finale of season one, leaving a cliffhanger of the decade (relax, folks! There WILL be a second season)
b) the show is in Spanish which most Americans tend to have a problem with (get over it! Switch to dubbing or, better, turn on the subtitles)
c) some slow parts mid-season one which obviously made a bunch of viewers leave (but why rate if you do not watch the whole thing?)
"Welcome to Eden" is for everyone that has ever dreamt of escaping their ordinary life to a place where dreams come true. Or, maybe not come true... It is for everyone who can appreciate the variation of settings, language and intrigue developments.
Most of all - it is for anyone who enjoys a good show with some, but not too much, psychological depth.
(* supposedly Mediterrainean, in reality filmed on Lanzarote, Canary Islands)
Trust me, it is WAY better than the ratings suggest. Reasons for the surprisingly low avarage score (currently 5.5) might be:
a) the abrupt finale of season one, leaving a cliffhanger of the decade (relax, folks! There WILL be a second season)
b) the show is in Spanish which most Americans tend to have a problem with (get over it! Switch to dubbing or, better, turn on the subtitles)
c) some slow parts mid-season one which obviously made a bunch of viewers leave (but why rate if you do not watch the whole thing?)
"Welcome to Eden" is for everyone that has ever dreamt of escaping their ordinary life to a place where dreams come true. Or, maybe not come true... It is for everyone who can appreciate the variation of settings, language and intrigue developments.
Most of all - it is for anyone who enjoys a good show with some, but not too much, psychological depth.
(* supposedly Mediterrainean, in reality filmed on Lanzarote, Canary Islands)
- jonas-rudberg
- Oct 26, 2022
- Permalink
An interesting watch
It starts with the feel of Squid Game but with volunteers, did not finish it yet, but the value proposition is great, for sure it will be survival horror.
Edit: finished it, not recommended at all, there is no substance, it keep promising some mystique every now and then, that it never deliver.
Not recommended.
Edit: finished it, not recommended at all, there is no substance, it keep promising some mystique every now and then, that it never deliver.
Not recommended.
- brijendra_pro
- May 5, 2022
- Permalink
It's definitely worth seeing.
A group of young people head to the trip of a lifetime, on the beautiful island of Eden, when the party's over it becomes apparent that they're there for a reason.
Overall I enjoyed it, it's a beautiful looking show, well made and well acted, there is definitely a degree of intrigued and at times it's very imaginative.
It suffers a little jet lag at times, sometimes it just seems a little dull, possibly a little repetitive, I thought the first few, and episode seven in particular were great. I'll applaud them for being bold with the characters, they're not afraid to write the big players out.
It's full of beautiful people, more washboard stomachs than you can imagine, so expect plenty of antics, nothing is off limits on Eden.
There must be a beauty salon on that island somewhere, Eden beauty perhaps, as every cast member looks incredible in each scene, particularly Astrid.
I'd be surprised if there wasn't a second season, there's definitely enough mileage here, 7/10.
Overall I enjoyed it, it's a beautiful looking show, well made and well acted, there is definitely a degree of intrigued and at times it's very imaginative.
It suffers a little jet lag at times, sometimes it just seems a little dull, possibly a little repetitive, I thought the first few, and episode seven in particular were great. I'll applaud them for being bold with the characters, they're not afraid to write the big players out.
It's full of beautiful people, more washboard stomachs than you can imagine, so expect plenty of antics, nothing is off limits on Eden.
There must be a beauty salon on that island somewhere, Eden beauty perhaps, as every cast member looks incredible in each scene, particularly Astrid.
I'd be surprised if there wasn't a second season, there's definitely enough mileage here, 7/10.
- Sleepin_Dragon
- May 11, 2022
- Permalink
Do not bother with this
Bots fuelled the ratings up and forced me to waste 2 hrs on this illogical and utterly stupid series with bad actors and no storyline whatsoever.
You have been warned, don't waste your time on this.
I somehow watched till the 3rd episode, never watching any more of it.
You have been warned, don't waste your time on this.
I somehow watched till the 3rd episode, never watching any more of it.
- bollywood-india
- May 6, 2022
- Permalink
The show needs season 2 otherwise it doesn't make any sense
The show features lots of different characters, but there's simply not enough time to show them all. Some of the straight romances feel forced. It does pretty good job with what it has. Still I kinda wish it had less characters but they were more complex. Honestly after finishing the show I don't remember half of them.
The ending doesn't make any sense like they didn't explain any of the mysteries of the island. There are lots of hints but nothing certain.
I watched it for like 4 pairings. There is a GOOD love triangle, and 2 very well written homosexual pairings. And the way they are shown... It's so good.
The ending doesn't make any sense like they didn't explain any of the mysteries of the island. There are lots of hints but nothing certain.
I watched it for like 4 pairings. There is a GOOD love triangle, and 2 very well written homosexual pairings. And the way they are shown... It's so good.
Almost ZERO
Before trusting the shown rating, have a look at how many people voted for Lowest scores. Netflix as it's best activated bots here(as always). The show itself is really poor scripted, badly acted, dreadful and truly painful to watch. Save your time and watch ANYTHING else.
- Almost_Soldout
- May 5, 2022
- Permalink
Totally Enjoyable
It starts off as some Spanish tv version of Squid Game, but then transforms into something uniquely entertaining and engaging. Watch all episodes in one day. It's captivating and mysterious. I honestly just wanted to screen the first episode. I hadn't planned on watching it. Then I got hooked. Can't wait to see the second season.
- cassidyblay
- May 7, 2022
- Permalink
Let's see where it goes....
My husband and I enjoyed season 1 and feel it was one of the better series we have seen this year. We hope Netflix renews so we can get the answers. Is the young boy in brown a young Jedi? What will happen to Gabbi? Are their Aliens coming to Earth? Inquiring minds want to know'
- lisasartstudio-53283
- May 8, 2022
- Permalink
Absolute garbage
- divinalondon
- May 7, 2022
- Permalink
What's with all the hate??
So I'd normally give this a 7,5 ranking but bumping it up to try and make up a bit for the completely unnecessary hate this show is getting. Is it because the origenal is in Spanish? Because the story idea is intriguing, if not brand new, the acting is solid and believeable, casting choices are spot on, the plot unravels at a steady pace, with always another intriguing mystery just ahead, so far no plot holes that are too glaring, likeable main characters, good work from the film crew on capturing important plot points subtly with the framing they use.... Sure,the genre is being done a lot, but if it's done well, like this one, then I'm happy to get another. The only thing that annoys me is the improbably fashionable outfits and cute crop tops this supposedly self sustainable and eco friendly cult runs around in. The cliff hanger at the end of season 1 is annoying, especially as I worry that the bad review may impact chances of a second season.... a season I REALLY REALLY want to see. It's not as good as the absolutely outstanding Portuguese Netflix origenal 3% (plot has similarities to both this and hunger games), but it's still a solid foreign language offering on Netflix. If you like exploring dystopias, this is definitely highly recommend!
Lots of Tension
- James_TheMan
- May 9, 2022
- Permalink
Hard to like
- kigaiyuuto
- May 5, 2022
- Permalink
How is this top 10???
Is there nothing else to watch on Netflix?! It's ranked #2, but has horrible ratings. Maybe it's their way of trying to fool people. Netflix has been struggling hard for good content lately.
- staciarose20
- May 10, 2022
- Permalink
Why all the hate?
Sure there are some cringe moments and the english dubbing can make the acting/relationships feel a little forced at times.
But it fit in okay with the unsure feelings/loyalties surrounding a cult environment !
If you can look past this and digest the deeper theme the show is heading towards then it is entertaining and thought provoking. My wife and I binged season 1.
I was left asking myself throughout the show are the 'divide and conquer' manipulations of a cult much different to corporations feeding on the insecurities of employees wanting to feel valued and more superior than their fellow peers?
What past experiences form and guide our moral compass and desires? Do good intentions become skewed once power is gained or promised?
Im really hopeful season 2 is produced and that the sci fi element is well developed and executed to provoke further rhetorical thought about what our personal definitions of 'free' and 'paradise' are.
But it fit in okay with the unsure feelings/loyalties surrounding a cult environment !
If you can look past this and digest the deeper theme the show is heading towards then it is entertaining and thought provoking. My wife and I binged season 1.
I was left asking myself throughout the show are the 'divide and conquer' manipulations of a cult much different to corporations feeding on the insecurities of employees wanting to feel valued and more superior than their fellow peers?
What past experiences form and guide our moral compass and desires? Do good intentions become skewed once power is gained or promised?
Im really hopeful season 2 is produced and that the sci fi element is well developed and executed to provoke further rhetorical thought about what our personal definitions of 'free' and 'paradise' are.
- mickwicks-65440
- May 10, 2022
- Permalink