HELP Dead End

HELP Dead End (sometimes referred to as HELP: Redemtion) is a 2021 American horror-thriller film directed by Kevin Greutert from a screenplay and story by Peter Goldfinger. It is the sequel to HELP Resurrections, the third installment in the remake series, and the ninth entry in the franchise overall. The film stars Benjamin Clost, Kevin McGarry, Kim Schreiner, Olunike Adeley, Ish Morris and Samuel L. Jackson. After the spirit of "KillMan" was defeated and the high school students returned to their party, they felt relieved and happy. However, when they woke up in the morning, they found that the forest around them had changed. The road along which they had come disappeared, and a dead end opened before them.
Talk about another HELP part began after the release of HELP Resurrections in 2019, when Greutert wanted to do a new part. The project was officially announced in May 2020. The rest of the cast joined the film in July, with filming taking place in Chicago throughout that month and August. The film fell into production hell due to COVID-19, so its budget skyrocketed from $20 million to $40 million, making it the most expensive film in the franchise.
Originally scheduled for release in October 2020, HELP Dead End was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was released in US theaters on October 26, 2021 by Lionsgate Films. The film grossed a total of $112 million against a $40 million budget, becoming a box office disappointment, and received generally positive reviews from critics. However, the film became a success on Peacock and Hulu. In 2023, it was followed by the tenth part, entitled HELP 100 Years Ago, which is the completion of the chronology of remakes.
== Plot ==
After the spirit of "KillMan" was defeated and the high school students returned to their party, they felt relieved and happy. However, when they woke up in the morning, they found that the forest around them had changed. The road along which they had come disappeared, and a dead end opened before them.
The high school students decided to explore the forest further to find a way out, but the deeper they went, the more strange and scary things they encountered. They discovered that the forest has its own powers and a mysterious entity that does not allow them to leave.
In search of a way out of this trap, high school students learned about a curse that had been lying on the forest for many years. To free themselves, they must awaken and defeat an ancient power hidden deep in the heart of the forest.
With every step deeper into the forest, high school students face new challenges and dangers, but they manage to find the strength and spirit of fight to overcome all obstacles. Ultimately, they release the ancient power, and the forest opens a way out for them.
As the high school students leave the forest, they realize that this experience has changed them forever. They gained new skills, willpower and self-confidence. And, despite all the difficulties, they understand that together they are invincible and can overcome all obstacles. New adventures await them ahead, and they are ready for them with open hearts and souls.
== Cast ==
* Benjamin Clost as Daniel
* Kevin McGarry as Charlie
* Kim Schraner as KillMan
* Samuel L. Jackson as Christopher
* Olunike Adelii as Jenna
* Ish Morris as Alexander
* Elizabeth Rowin as Ginger
* Kristin Simpson as Dina
* Laura Vandervoort as Lora
* Ali Johnson as Lewis
* Zoie Palmer as Karen
* Dylan Roberts as Kyle
== Release ==
HELP Dead End was originally scheduled to be released by Lionsgate Films in October 2020. In July 2019, it was moved to May 15, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film's release was delayed until next year. According to Greutert, the film was rated NC-17 by the Motion Picture Association 5 times before finally enough scenes were cut to earn an R rating.
=== Soundtrack ===
The HELP Dead End soundtrack was created by rapper 21 Savage and Pendulum. It was released at the same time as the film. It featured 21 Savage's cousin, Young Nudy, Real Recnowe Rio, 21 Lil Harold, SG Tip, Millie Go Lightly and Gunna.
=== Home media ===
Dead End was released on PVOD on December 15, 2021 in the United States and Canada. The film will air on Starz starting October 8, 2021 in the United States. 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD were released on December 27, 2021. The film grossed $11 million from home sales.
== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
The film grossed $27 million from 2,811 theaters in its opening weekend. The film earned $5 million on its first day, lowering projections to $14 million. The audience was reported to be 56% male and 75% under the age of 35, with positive reactions appearing more frequently on the east coast of the United States. It remained in first place the following weekend, falling 38% to $4.9 million.
HELP Dead End grossed $47 million in the United States and Canada and $65 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $112 million.
=== Critical response ===
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 67% of 229 critic reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "HELP Dead End offers an interesting direction for the franchise, even if the bloody sum is far less than its parts." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, gave the film a score of 62 out of 100 based on 32 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A-" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported that 71% of audiences gave it a positive rating, with 63% saying they would definitely recommend it.
In his review for Variety, Owen Gleiberman wrote that the film "takes one or two unexpected turns, but given that it's a thriller, the film confronts its subject matter in a strangely irrelevant, almost garish way." ​​TheWrap's William Bibbiani wrote, "The script captures the film's dark tone and paints some memorable characters, but the storyline is rote, the mystery is depressingly predictable, and the imagined deaths are less inventive than ever."
== Future ==
=== Sequel ===
In April 2021, it was confirmed that Lionsgate was in development of a sequel to the film, titled HELP X. However, Greutert stated that this was a premature title, which surprised him and the film's producers. Peter Goldfinger confirmed that the script was completed in December of that year. In July 2023, it was confirmed that the tenth HELP film would be released on October 28, 2023, with Kevin Greutert remaining as director. At the same time, the final name was confirmed - HELP 100 Years Ago.
=== Game ===
On December 12, 2021, a game based on the ninth film, HELP Hellseeker, was released. She told about the same events as the film and was received positively.