Eli Roth’s The Green Inferno (2013) stands as one of the most polarizing horror films of the 2010s. A direct homage to the notorious Italian cannibal exploitation movies of the late 1970s and early 1980s—most notably Ruggero Deodato’s Cannibal Holocaust (1980)—the film attempted to revive a subgenre long thought dead. While it delighted gorehounds with its stomach-churning practical effects, it simultaneously drew heavy criticism for its depiction of indigenous tribes and its cynical take on modern activism. The Plot: Slacktivism Meets Savage Reality
This unexpected delay created a sense of morbid anticipation. Rumors began to swirl online about the film's extreme content, granting it a "mythical status" among horror fans who speculated about the true depths of its depravity. It wasn't until June 2015 that a new release date was finally announced. The Green Inferno was eventually given a limited theatrical release on September 25, 2015, by BH Tilt (a genre label from Blumhouse Productions) and High Top Releasing, in collaboration with Universal Pictures.
To understand the film, viewers must trace its roots back to Ruggero Deodato’s infamous 1980 mockumentary Cannibal Holocaust . Roth explicitly frames his narrative within this tradition, even utilizing the working title of Deodato’s masterpiece as his official film title. The Green Inferno -2013-
The vast majority of criticism, however, was directed at the film's screenplay and characters. The activists are portrayed as shallow, unlikeable, and completely out of their depth, making it difficult for audiences to root for them. Critics felt the first act, set in New York, was the weakest part of the film, with dialogue described as juvenile and acting that felt amateurish. Many reviews concluded that The Green Inferno was "all gore and no guts," failing to generate genuine tension or provide a compelling story to support the extreme violence.
If you're looking for where to watch it, I can check current streaming availability. Let me know what you'd like to explore next! The Mystery of the Green Children of Woolpit Eli Roth’s The Green Inferno (2013) stands as
The narrative follows Justine (Lorenza Izzo), a naive yet well-intentioned college freshman who becomes drawn into a campus activist group led by the charismatic Alejandro (Ariel Levy). The group's mission is to travel to the Peruvian Amazon to disrupt a ruthless logging company's operations and live-stream their protest to the world. Believing she can make a difference, Justine joins the eclectic team of "slacktivists," which includes the nervous Lars (Daryl Sabara) and the abrasive Amy (Kirby Bliss Blanton). Their plan is a success; they manage to chain themselves to bulldozers and garner viral internet attention before being arrested. As they are flown out of the jungle, their small plane suffers a catastrophic engine failure and crashes deep into the heart of the rainforest.
When audiences think of the "torture porn" boom of the mid-2000s, Eli Roth’s name sits near the top of the list. With Hostel (2005) and its sequel, Roth redefined American horror for the post-9/11 era—gritty, realistic, and relentlessly cruel. But for nearly a decade, Roth had been nurturing a different kind of nightmare: a return to the gritty, documentary-style shockers of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Plot: Slacktivism Meets Savage Reality This unexpected
The Green Inferno was met with mixed reviews, primarily due to its extreme nature.
Common criticism: "It wants to be a political satire and a cannibal movie, and it fails at both." Common praise: "No one directs visceral, tactile horror like Eli Roth. You feel every cut."