Eaten Alive!

An investigator joins a lone ally in a perilous trek into the rain soaked jungles of New Guinea after discovering her sister vanished without a trace. The woman, driven by a stubborn resolve, enlists a seasoned expatriate guide who knows the treacherous terrain. They penetrate thick forests, evade deadly traps, and stumble upon a hidden settlement ruled by a brutal cult. As danger closes in, they discover hints of a dark ritual and a society that treats outsiders with brutal indifference. The search tests their nerves and loyalties, forcing decisions that balance survival against the mystery of what happened to the missing sister, while the jungle keeps its own deadly secrets.

Released in 1980, this Italian exploitation thriller was directed by Umberto Lenzi, a key figure in the cannibal horror wave. The production mixed on location shooting in lush landscapes with controlled studio setups and practical effects. The cast features Robert Kerman, Janet Agren, Mel Ferrer, Ivan Rassimov, and Paola Senatore, delivering broad performances that keep the tension alive even during slower stretches.

Critics at the time treated it as a stark example of the cannibal subgenre with a blunt colonial frame. The film foregrounds survival and moral ambiguity amid hostile tribes, colonial outsiders, and ritual brutality, delivering graphic sequences that sparked debates about exploitation. Viewers are invited to weigh what the film suggests about colonial curiosity and the veneer of civilization when confronted by survival instincts.

Within cult horror circles, Eaten Alive is remembered for its unflinching portrayal of violence and the era's sensational marketing. It helped cement the cannibal film's notoriety and influenced later Italian thrillers that mix travelogue tension with brutal rituals. Its notoriety also sparked discussions about how cinema portrays indigenous cultures and the line between depiction and sensationalism.

Box office data for this title isn't widely published, and it remains a niche item in international repertories rather than a mainstream hit.