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Sydney Sweeney underwent a makeover for her role as real-life German settler Margret Wittmer in the thriller Eden.
The actress surprised fans by trading her signature blonde bombshell looks for a brunette updo and more modest clothing, in line with the film’s early 1930s setting.
Sydney portrays Margret Wittmer, one of the original settlers of Floreana Island in Ecuador’s Galápagos Archipelago.
Highlights
- Sydney Sweeney surprised fans with a makeover for her role as Margret Wittmer in the thriller 'Eden.'
- Eden, directed by Ron Howard, is based on the true story of European settlers on Floreana Island in the 1930s.
- The film premiered at TIFF and will be released in US theaters on August 22.
Margret, her husband Heinz (played by Daniel Brühl), and her stepson Harry (Jonathan Tittel) moved to Floreana Island in 1932, following the arrival of German doctor Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law) and his wife, Dora Strauch (Vanessa Kirby).
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Sydney Sweeney portrays German settler Margret Wittmer in the survival thriller Eden
Image credits: sydney_sweeney
Image credits: sydney_sweeney
The survival thriller also stars Ana de Armas as a self-described Baroness who arrives on the isolated green island with her two devoted lovers, intent on building a luxury hotel.
Directed by Ron Howard, the film, centered on the problematic relationship between the settlers, premiered last year at the Toronto International Film Festival, and it’s set to be released theatrically in the US on August 22.
The film is based on the real story of a group of European settlers who arrived on Floreana Island in Ecuador’s Galápagos Archipelago
Image credits: Vertical
In its review of the movie, Variety wrote that Sydney earns “the film’s radiant-center-of-sanity award.”
“Her Margaret is humble and likable, and though she has to go through a childbirth scene that’s all but designed to make us squirm, you feel something for her,” writes film critic Owen Gleiberman.
Still, Gleiberman said most of the characters “grow more dislikable by the minute” in a film that feels like a “weirdly madcap version of Lord of the Flies.”
Image credits: Vertical
Similarly, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that “the performances are hit and miss,” with critic Michael Rechtshaffen describing Jude Law’s performance as “tiresome.”
“Only Sweeney manages to retain the viewer’s sympathy and her character’s sanity as the decent pillar of stability that is Margaret,” the review reads.
The movie currently holds a 6.6/10 rating on IMDb.
Sydney traded her blonde bombshell looks for a brunette hairstyle
@01distribution Il club del libro è solo una delle mille cose che non ha funzionato su quell’isola. #EdenIlFilm è ORA AL CINEMA, con Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Brühl e Sydney Sweeney. #cinematok#booktok#davedere#ronhoward#eden#judelaw#anadearmas#vanessakirby#DanielBrühl#SydneySweeney#alcinema♬ suono originale – 01 Distribution
Sydney told The Wrapthat she couldn’t believe that the movie was based on a real story at first. “When I got sent the script, you read about all these crazy characters, and it’s like, ‘There’s no way that this is real.’
“The determination they had to create their own world… It’s the most fascinating look at humans and mankind.”
The 27-year-old actress added: “I think about it a lot…being able to escape and find a new land, and what that experience would be like.”
Sydney said it was a “dream” to be able to play Margret Wittmer
Image credits: sydney_sweeney
She also said it was “a dream” to work with Ron Howard, who has directed films like Apollo 13, The Davinci Code, and Cinderella Man.
“I grew up loving your films, but being able to work with you, I have just learned what an amazing human being you are,” the White Lotus alum gushed during the Q&A at the TIFF premiere last September.
Directed by Ron Howard, the thriller also stars Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Daniel Brühl, and Vanessa Kirby
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“And when Margret came to me, I was absolutely amazed by [it being] a true story and it wasn’t her choice,” she continued.
“She had to follow her husband’s footsteps, and she had no idea what she was getting herself into. She was a child at that!
“It was just such a crazy character journey for her and for all the other characters. And I absolutely wanted to dive into it. And with such an amazing cast, I mean, this is like a dream to be able to be a part of, but I’m just really lucky.”
Eden will hit theaters on August 22 after its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last year
Image credits: Vertical
Sydney fans can also watch her on the crime thriller Americana, which premiered at South by Southwest in 2023 but which will hit theaters in the US on August 15.
The Housemaid, a psychological thriller based on Freida McFadden’s best-selling novel of the same name, is scheduled to be released on December 25.
Variety praised Sydney’s character as “humble and likable”
Image credits: sydney_sweeney/Vertical
The film also stars Brandon Sklenar, Amanda Seyfried, and Michele Morrone.
Sweeney has also wrapped her role as professional boxer Christy Martin in David Michôd’s untitled biopic.
The movie currently holds a 6.6/10 rating on IMDb
Image credits: Vertical
Image credits: Vertical
The star will soon begin filming Scandalous!, a movie about the forbidden love affair between Kim Novak and Sammy Davis Jr at the height of Hollywood’s Golden Age. It will be directed by her Euphoria co-star, Colman Domingo.
People shared their thoughts on Sydney’s makeover and the movie trailer
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What do you think ?
Apatheist Account2 8 months ago
She's an actor. She's not supposed to look the same every time, although admittedly some inhabit a character and stick with it. Personally I won't watch it because I don't rate Jude Law at all.
Apatheist Account2 8 months ago
She's an actor. She's not supposed to look the same every time, although admittedly some inhabit a character and stick with it. Personally I won't watch it because I don't rate Jude Law at all.
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