Eden, directed by Ron Howard, by Amazon MGM Studios, dives into a true story of ambition and betrayal on the remote Galapagos island of Floreana. In 1929, Dr. Friedrich Ritter and Dore Strauch fled post-World War I Germany’s chaos to build a utopian life. The documentary Attack on Floreana: The Galapagos Murders (Netflix, July 2025) explores their experiment and its deadly fallout. Their solitude crumbled as new settlers arrived, sparking envy and violence.
The film, shot in Australia and the Galapagos, follows Friedrich and Dore’s dream of a radical philosophy. The Wittmer family and a flamboyant Baroness disrupted their plans. Tensions led to murder, lies, and fractured ideals.
On July 7, 2025, Eden’s premiere at TIFF drew praise for its gritty visuals by Salvatore Totino and score by Hans Zimmer. Starring Jude Law, Vanessa Kirby, and Sydney Sweeney, it grossed $15 million globally by September, per Box Office Mojo. The ending unveils who killed the Baroness and the fates of Dore and the Wittmers.
Friedrich’s Utopian Dream Collapses into Murder and Deception on Floreana
Eden (2025) portrays Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law) and Dore Strauch (Vanessa Kirby) settling on Floreana in 1929 to escape Germany’s economic crisis and fascism. Friedrich, a physician, aimed to craft a world-saving philosophy, detailed in Attack on Floreana: The Galapagos Murders (Netflix, July 2025).
Their vegetarian lifestyle and isolation were tested when the Wittmers—Heinz, Margaret, and son Harry—arrived in 1932, seeking a cure for Harry’s tuberculosis. Friedrich’s envy grew as the Wittmers built a stable farm. The self-proclaimed Baroness Eloise Bosquet de Wagner Wehrhorn (Sydney Sweeney) and her lovers, Phillipson and Rudolph Lorenz, further disrupted the island with plans for a hotel.
Her schemes led to theft and conflict, uniting Friedrich and Heinz against her. Friedrich killed the Baroness and Phillipson, framing Heinz, while Dore’s ideals shattered. The Wittmers stayed, but Dore left, broken. Filmed in Queensland and the Galapagos, Eden’s 127-minute runtime captures this descent into primal instincts.
Margaret’s survival instincts prevailed, while Friedrich’s philosophy failed, leading to his death by poisoned chicken. The documentary notes the unresolved mystery of the Baroness’s body, fueling intrigue.
Friedrich Kills the Baroness to Protect His Island Vision
In Eden’s climax, Friedrich shoots Baroness Eloise after she and Phillipson steal supplies. Her hotel plan threatened Floreana’s isolation, enraging Friedrich and Heinz, per Variety. Heinz kills Phillipson first, leaving the Baroness vulnerable. Her offer to share hotel profits fails to sway Friedrich, who shoots her and disposes of both bodies at sea.
To cover the murders, Friedrich and Rudolph Lorenz pretend the Baroness left voluntarily. Friedrich then frames Heinz in a letter to the Galapagos governor, aiming to eliminate the Wittmers. The documentary Attack on Floreana: The Galapagos Murders notes no bodies were found, leaving the case unsolved. Friedrich’s act reflects his desperation to preserve his utopian experiment.
Dore Feeds Friedrich Poisoned Chicken, Leading to His Death
Dore, disillusioned by Friedrich’s shift from philosopher to violent opportunist, feeds him spoiled chicken, causing his death by food poisoning. Initially, Dore believed in Friedrich’s vision to cure her multiple sclerosis and live idealistically. But his envy of the Wittmers and murder of the Baroness shattered her trust. Friedrich’s destruction of their typewriter and obsession with basic needs—food and sex—further alienated her.
In his final moments, Friedrich curses Dore, suspecting her intent. Margaret’s gift of fresh chickens to Dore, contrasted with the spoiled meat, suggests deliberation. Dore’s act, shown in Attack on Floreana: The Galapagos Murders, marks her rejection of their failed dream, leaving her to face the consequences alone.
The Wittmers Outlast All, Building a Lasting Life on Floreana
The Wittmers—Heinz, Margaret, and their sons—remained on Floreana, outlasting Friedrich and Dore. Arriving in 1932, they built a stone house and farm, defying Friedrich’s predictions of failure. Despite tensions, Margaret delivered a baby alone when Friedrich refused help, though he later aided her post-delivery complications.
After Friedrich’s death, Margaret convinced the governor of Heinz’s innocence in the Baroness’s murder. Harry died young in a drowning accident, but Margaret lived until 2000. Her son Rolf’s descendants now run a small hotel. Attack on Floreana: The Galapagos Murders highlights their resilience, contrasting with Friedrich’s philosophical collapse.
Dore Returns to Germany, Haunted by Floreana’s Failures
Dore Strauch left Floreana with the Galapagos governor after Friedrich’s death, returning to Germany. Her dream of a non-violent, idealistic life crumbled as Friedrich embraced violence and primal instincts. She wrote a book, Satan Came to Eden, detailing her experience, which differed sharply from Margaret’s account in Floreana.
Dore’s multiple sclerosis worsened, and she died soon after. The governor found no proof to charge her for Friedrich’s death. Attack on Floreana: The Galapagos Murders notes her book’s bitter tone, reflecting her disillusionment. Dore’s departure marked the end of her utopian hopes, leaving the Wittmers to thrive.
Related: Eden Trailer: Jude Law, Sydney Sweeney, and Ana de Armas Clash in Ron Howard’s Survival Thriller
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Arvind is a Senior Writer and Editor at Hilvaro, specializing in anime, entertainment, and pop culture. With a BSc in Transportation Technology, his passion for storytelling led him to a career in journalism. He has previously contributed to Sportskeeda and GameRant, covering anime and entertainment with a keen eye for detail.
Outside writing, Arvind loves gaming and is fond of anime, binge-watching movies and television series. He spends some of his free time listening to rock music and writing poetry. What Arvind appreciates most about pop culture is the theme that makes it more alive and engaging for this generation; thus the possibility of such content reaching readers across the globe.
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