Well, I’ll give Dreamworks points for balls.

Scott Smith’s THE RUINS was one hell of a read, one of the best pure horror novels I’ve come across in a while. Taut, well-characterized, with a threat that could not be defeated... it was almost too tense an experience in places.

For those of you who haven’t read it, Smith is the same guy who wrote A SIMPLE PLAN. THE RUINS deals with four American friends who wander into the jungle during a vacation in Mexico, only to discover that the place they’ve stumbled across harbors a deadly secret. I’d say more, but I don’t want to ruin the fun for anyone.

Smith wrote his own screenplay adaptation of his novel, just as he did with A SIMPLE PLAN, so I’m confident they’ve got a good script for this one. Now they’ve hired a director, and here’s where those balls of steel come in handy for Dreamworks: they’re going with a first-timer. Carter B. Smith directed a short film called “Bugcrush,” which I haven’t seen. I presume it’s a knockout, though, because this job will require a deft touch with actors, a genuine sense of how to build and sustain dread, and a knack for shooting special effects that don’t look like special effects.

Whatever the case, this one will be on my radar, and I’m looking forward to finding out if Carter B. Smith is up to the challenge ahead.

VARIETY ran the original story here.

Drew McWeeny, Los Angeles