Where was The Ruins filmed?
2008
City Locations
Queensland, Australia
Location Types
Film Studio, Unusual
Location Styles
Beachfront, Camper, Exotic/Tropical, Rustic, Retreat
About The Ruins
The Ruins, a gripping 2008 natural horror flick, comes to life under Carter Smith's direction, showcasing his stellar feature film directorial debut. The picture features a brilliant cast, including Joe Anderson, Shawn Ashmore, Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, and Laura Ramsey.
Jeremy Kramer, Stuart Cornfeld, and Chris Bender are among the notable individuals on the production crew, and the world-famous comedian Ben Stiller is the executive producer. Since the film is based on a 2006 book by Scott B. Smith, you may expect an entertaining and thrilling plot.
Two couples – Amy (Jena Malone), Jeff (Jonathan Tucker), Eric (Shawn Ashmore), and Stacy (Laura Ramsey) – are followed on a thrilling adventure to Mexico. Their harrowing adventure with a visitor to a faraway Mayan ruin turns dark when they discover the ruin is inhabited by a vine that devours its kind. It was a relatively innocent beginning. The local Mayan villagers and the enveloping vines pose tremendous threats as they urgently try to escape. This generates a horror narrative that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
Despite earning mixed reviews from critics, The Ruins left an impression on the horror film genre with its original plot and great acting. It offered a new spin on natural horror, even if it bombed at the box office, making just $22.9 million globally on a $25 million budget. Unfortunately, The Ruins did not garner any accolades, yet, horror film lovers still remember its innovative premise and spot-on performances.
The Ruins Locations
The Ruins, an adrenaline-pumping thriller, was set in Queensland, Australia's picturesque and varied landscapes. Queensland's scenic beauty and unique settings were essential to the film's visual storytelling, even though much of the shooting occurred in the Village Roadshow facilities.
Filming took place in several locales, including the village of Mount Tamborine in South East Queensland, which is located in the Tamborine Mountain range. Mount Tamborine's luscious rainforests and gorgeous landscapes offer a glimpse into the region's awe-inspiring tranquility, in sharp contrast to the hectic urban landscape of the Gold Coast. The locations added depth and realism to the film while providing a flexible backdrop.
Visiting Queensland is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the iconic locations used in the film, such as the Gold Coast, picturesque Mount Tamborine, and the ultra-modern Village Roadshow Studios. Combining the thrill of seeing well-known sites with the tranquil beauty of natural wonders, such a journey will be an unforgettable experience for fans and tourists alike.
The Cancún resort scene in The Ruins
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Stacey (Laura Ramsey) and Amy (Jena Malone), along with their boyfriends Jeff (Jonathan Tucker) and Eric (Shawn Ashmore), enjoy the relaxation of a Cancún resort. The peaceful scene is briefly disturbed when Amy learns she has lost an earring. This seemingly unimportant incident leads her to meet Mathias (Joe Anderson).
This sequence, along with most of the film, was shot on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, even though it takes place in Cancún. The Gold Coast, with its broad sandy beachfront, ideal surfing areas, and numerous waterways and canals, easily matches the gorgeous appeal of Cancún.
Located on Australia's eastern coast, just south of Brisbane, this vibrant metropolis offers visitors a perfect blend of natural beauty and entertainment. Adventurers and ecotourists will be captivated by the lush, wildlife-rich landscapes of Lamington National Park and the world-famous theme parks Dreamworld, Sea World, and Wet'n'Wild.
The Gold Coast is easily accessible for anyone interested in this tranquil landscape site. The Gold Coast Airport welcomes domestic and international aircraft, making it an ideal destination for visitors. Alternatively, visitors arriving in Brisbane or from elsewhere in Australia can reach the city in just one hour by car via the M1.
The group reaches the top of the ruins scene in The Ruins
Mount Tamborine, Queensland, Australia
At the summit's peak, Matthias (Joe Anderson) frantically searches for his cousins within the discovered tents. Meanwhile, the rest of the group attempts to use their phones, only to find no signal. Matthias notices the tents are deserted, and his cousin has no trace. Suddenly, from a bottomless pit located at the center of the summit, the faint sound of a ringing cell phone emerges, adding to the mystery and tension of the moment.
This gripping moment was captured amidst the natural beauty of Mount Tamborine in Queensland. Known for its lush rainforests, walking tracks that meander past cliffs and waterfalls, and the charming village atmosphere of Tamborine Mountain, the location adds a layer of authenticity and atmospheric tension to the film. Visitors to Mount Tamborine can explore "Gallery Walk" on Long Road, famous for its art galleries, cafes, souvenir shops, and Main Street’s array of restaurants, shops, and the Tamborine Showground Markets.
Getting to Mount Tamborine is an adventure in itself. Located in the hinterland of the Gold Coast, it is approximately an hour's drive via M1 from Brisbane. Visitors can rent a car or take a bus tour from major cities in Queensland to reach this picturesque destination.
Stacey stands near the pool scene in The Ruins
Village Roadshow Studios, Entertainment Rd, Oxenford QLD , Australia
Stacey (Laura Ramsey), the first to wake up, leaves the tent and stumbles in search of the hunting knife they had used the previous day to cut away the invasive vines. As Eric (Shawn Ashmore) and the others awaken and join her outside, they are confronted with a chilling sight: Stacey stands in a pool of her blood, desperately cutting at her skin in an attempt to rid herself of the parasitic weeds that have begun to invade her body.
Like much of The Ruins, this intense and pivotal scene was filmed at Village Roadshow Studios in Oxenford, Gold Coast, Queensland. Established in June 1991, the studios have become a cornerstone of the Australian film industry. With nine sound stages and a variety of production facilities, Village Roadshow Studios have hosted the creation of several renowned feature films, including The Chronicles of Narnia, San Andreas, House of Wax, Scooby-Doo, and the series H2O: Just Add Water.
While the studio is not open for public tours, its location on the Gold Coast makes it a significant landmark within the region's vibrant film production landscape.
To get to Village Roadshow Studios, travelers can fly into the Gold Coast Airport and drive north towards Oxenford. If coming from Brisbane, a southbound 40-minute trip via the Pacific Motorway will lead them to this iconic film production hub.
Conclusion
Exploring the nightmare of a once-perfect vacation gone wrong, The Ruins provides a horrific yet riveting cinematic experience. Despite being a simplified adaptation of the book, the film successfully conveys the story's core themes with a sharp narrative emphasizing the horrifying struggle of visitors ensnared in a dangerous setting.
Set in the breathtaking landscapes of Queensland, Australia, The Ruins makes effective use of the juxtaposition between the lush beauty of the natural environments and the horrific events that transpire within them. The film's atmospheric tension is amplified by its strategic use of settings, ranging from the controlled confines of Village Roadshow Studios to Queensland's colorful and varied natural landscape.
Horror fans will probably enjoy The Ruins despite its failure to delve far enough into its source material. Those interested in the film's picturesque settings may have a fascinating (though less scary) excursion visiting the filming sites in Queensland.