Dead End (2003)

Christmas Eve. On his way to his in-laws with his family, Frank Harrington decides to try a shortcut, for the first time in 20 years. It turns out to be the biggest mistake of his life.

Directors:

Jean-Baptiste Andrea, Fabrice Canepa

Writers:

Jean-Baptiste Andrea, Fabrice Canepa

Stars:

Ray Wise, Lin Shaye, Mick Cain

7 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ray Wise	...	Frank Harrington
Lin Shaye	...	Laura Harrington
Mick Cain	...	Richard Harrington
Alexandra Holden	...	Marion Harrington
William Rosenfeld	...	Brad Miller (as Billy Asher)
Amber Smith	...	Lady in White
Karen S. Gregan	...	Doctor
Sharon Madden	...	Nurse
Steve Valentine	...	Man in Black
Jimmie F. Skaggs	...	Worker #1 (as Jimmy Skaggs)
Clement Blake	...	Worker #2

Storyline

For the past 20 years, Frank Harrington has grudgingly driven his family to celebrate Christmas with his mother-in-law. This year, he takes a shortcut. It's the biggest mistake of his life: The nightmare begins. A mysterious woman in white wanders through the forest, leaving death in her wake. A terrifying black car - its driver invisible - carries the victims into the heart of the night. Every road sign points to a destination they never reach. The survivors succumb to panic, to madness; deeply buried secrets burst to the surface, and Christmas turns into a living hell.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas eve | black comedy | forest | woods | night | 

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Taglines:

Read the signs.

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Genres:

Adventure | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language, sexual content and some drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the opening scene the father (played by Ray Wise) mentions shock rocker Marilyn Manson. Marilyn Manson has a song titled "Wrapped in Plastic" which was inspired by a line in the television show Twin Peaks which starred Ray Wise as Leeland Palmer the father of Laura Palmer who body was found wrapped in plastic in the opening moment of the show.

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Goofs

Running out of gasoline will not stop the starter from operating.

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Quotes

Laura Harrington: Look we have potato chips!

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits, there's an additional scene showing two old guys cleaning up the road. Then, one of them finds the "Things I Want to Do When This is Over" note that Frank was writing in an earlier scene.

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Connections

References Twin Peaks (1990)

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Soundtracks

Bloody Road
Music by Greg De Belles
Lyrics by Jo Kimberley
Performed by Jo Kimberley
Produced by Greg De Belles
Published by Klektik Music / BMI

User Reviews

Great horror film.

"Dead End" is actually one of the best horror movies of 2003.It's Christmas Eve and Frank Harrington and his family are heading to the in-laws,when for the first time in twenty years he decides to take a short-cut through the woods.What a mistake this turns out to be,as he drives onto a seemingly endless road,and into a creepy land where nothing is what it appears to be."Dead End" is a truly intelligent and downright horrifying horror film.It offers some incredibly unnerving moments,unfortunately there is too much humour for my liking.There is also a fair amount of blood and gore,so I was satisfied.Anyway,if you are a fan of creepy low-budget horror films give this little gem a look.8 out of 10.

Details

Official Sites:

Pentagon Pictures

Country:

France

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 2003 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Dead End

Filming Locations:

St. Luke Medical Center, 2632 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$900,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sagittaire Films, Captain Movies

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1