Dead End

"Read the signs."

2003 1h 23m EN

😐

6.4

MID

🍅

80%

FRESH

⭐

6.5

IMDB

★6.4TMDB · 630🍅80%Rotten Tomatoes★6.5IMDB · 34,533

MysteryHorrorThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

On Christmas Eve, while driving to see 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.

“Read the signs.”

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Cast

Ray Wise
Frank Harrington
Alexandra Holden
Marion Harrington
Lin Shaye
Laura Harrington
Mick Cain
Richard Harrington
William Rosenfeld
Brad Miller
Amber Smith
Lady in White
Karen S. Gregan
Doctor
Sharon Madden
Nurse

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jean-Baptiste Andrea
Writers: Fabrice Canepa, Jean-Baptiste Andrea
Languages: English
Countries: France, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

83 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Shot for just $0.9M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 100% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 23 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: France, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jean-Baptiste Andrea, shot by Alexander Buono. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Greg De Belles. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Antoine Vareille shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jean-Baptiste Andrea directs. Alexander Buono behind the camera. Greg De Belles scores. Antoine Vareille cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in France, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

183 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Shot for just $0.9M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
3Earned back only 100% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
4Released 23 years ago.
5International production across 2 countries: France, United States of America.
6Directed by Jean-Baptiste Andrea, shot by Alexander Buono. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
7Original score by Greg De Belles. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
8Editor Antoine Vareille shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
9Ray Wise and Alexandra Holden and Lin Shaye carry the top of the cast.
10Marketing tagline: "Read the signs.".
11IMDB entry: tt0308152 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
12Classified under 20 themes, including "baby", "coma", "shotgun", "pregnancy".