Manifestations of Eco-horror in Carter Smith's The Ruins: Unveiling the Enigmatic and Malevolent Dimensions of Nature

Carter Smith’s film “The Ruins” explores the complex relationship between nature and the human world. The movie follows two couples vacationing in Mexico, who later joining a traveller named Mathias on a journey to a remote Mayan ruin, lamentably overrun by carnivorous vines. This leads to their tragic fate. This critical study delves into how the vines become an enigmatic and malevolent force. The movie offers an eco-horror perspective by challenging the traditional concept of nature as a nurturing force. Here, nature becomes an unpredictable force that evokes Eco-anxiety, which gives it a mysterious nature. This portrayal also grants nature an autonomous and malevolent identity. This study also views how the visual and sound design enhances the portrayal of nature as a threatening and mysterious force.