Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

The Helpers

The Helpers is a written and directed by Chris Stokes. The plot centers on seven friends traveling from Sacramento to for a , whose breaks down near a remote roadside , leading them to accept assistance from the motel's enigmatic inhabitants, only to discover they are being systematically hunted and terrorized overnight. The film blends elements of found footage and traditional narrative styles, emphasizing themes of trust and survival in an isolated setting. Released on September 28, 2012, and also known internationally as No Vacancy, the movie stars Kristen Quintrall as Claire, Denyce Lawton as Brandy, Dustin Harnish as Todd, Black Thomas as Jordan, and as Ryan, among others portraying the group of stranded travelers. With a runtime of 81 minutes, it was produced on a low budget and distributed primarily through video-on-demand and limited theatrical releases. Critics noted its fast-paced structure and gore effects but criticized the predictable storyline and acting, resulting in a 19% approval rating on based on 24 reviews. Audience reception was similarly mixed, with an average user rating of 4.2 out of 10 from over 2,400 votes.

Overview

Background

The Helpers is a 2012 American film directed, written, and produced by Chris Stokes. The story follows a group of friends on a whose journey takes a terrifying turn, presented in a found-footage style that emphasizes the raw, documentary-like capture of events. The film had a special screening in the United States on January 1, 2012, and was released on DVD in the on January 21, 2013, and in the United States on July 1, 2014. It was distributed under the alternative title No Vacancy for its primary international markets, capitalizing on similarities to earlier motel-based films. In some regions, it received unofficial branding as Vacancy 4, positioning it loosely as a to the 2007 Vacancy, though it shares no direct narrative connection. Chris Stokes, the film's creator, had established himself primarily as a director of music videos and urban dance dramas prior to this project. His breakthrough in feature films came with the 2004 hip-hop dance movie , which he directed and produced, featuring emerging R&B artists like and . Stokes transitioned into horror with in 2007, a non-found-footage slasher that also starred Houston and Omarion, but The Helpers represented his first foray into the found-footage subgenre, blending road-trip peril with torture elements inspired by classic slasher conventions. The production was handled by Stokes' own company, Chris B. Stokes Productions, in association with Footage Films, reflecting his hands-on role in low-budget independent filmmaking. This collaboration allowed for a streamlined approach, with completed in locations that evoked isolated desert motels central to the film's tension.

Genre and style

The Helpers is a that blends slasher elements with found-footage techniques, as the story unfolds through the characters' amateur video recordings of their . This approach creates a sense of immediacy and realism, positioning the film within the subgenre of low-budget films that simulate documentary-style narratives. The slasher aspects are evident in the depiction of masked antagonists who systematically target the group, evoking classic tropes of isolated vulnerability and sudden violence. Stylistically, relies on handheld camerawork to mimic shaky, personal footage, enhancing the typical of found-footage while building through the confined setting. Quick cuts punctuate the kill scenes, accelerating the pace and amplifying the brutality without lingering on prolonged . This claustrophobic environment, centered on a remote , fosters and restricts escape routes, a deliberate choice that intensifies the group's peril. The overall aesthetic leans into torture- motifs, with designed to shock rather than psychologize the threats. Influences on The Helpers include the motel-based trap in Vacancy (2007), which shares the premise of unsuspecting travelers ensnared by sadistic hosts, and the raw, verité realism of The Blair Witch Project (1999) that popularized found-footage storytelling. It also echoes the group invasion dynamics of The Strangers (2008), where anonymous killers terrorize a collective, though The Helpers adapts this to a more mobile, road-trip context before converging on the motel. These borrowings contribute to its derivative yet accessible style within the genre. With a of 81 minutes, the film prioritizes rapid escalation and efficient kills over extended atmospheric buildup, maintaining a brisk suited to its origins. It earned an from the MPAA for brutal violence, , and language, reflecting its unsparing approach to conventions.

Story and characters

Plot

The Helpers follows seven friends embarking on a road trip from Sacramento to Las Vegas, only to face unexpected car trouble that forces them to seek shelter at a remote operated by a group of seemingly benevolent locals. The narrative unfolds as a tense tale, blending elements of and as the group's night of respite spirals into terror. The story is presented in a linear structure, augmented by interspersed found-footage clips from one character's video recordings, which heighten the immediacy of the events. In Act 1, introduces the diverse group of friends—highlighting their camaraderie and excitement for the trip—before a roadblock diverts them onto a desolate route, leading to a flat incident that strands their . Desperate for assistance, they hike to the nearby , where the proprietors offer warm hospitality and repairs. Act 2 builds unease upon their arrival, as the initial friendliness of the "helpers" gives way to subtle red flags; the friends are separated, and traps begin to ensnare them individually. Revelations emerge through video-recorded interactions and cryptic hints, uncovering the motel's operators' traumatic backstory linked to a devastating fire that claimed multiple lives. The atmosphere shifts to outright menace, with the group's attempts to leave thwarted by locked doors and surveillance. Act 3 escalates into chaos with gruesome murders, including a victim being torn in half between two cars and a beheading, amid frantic chases through the motel's premises. Partial escapes allow some friends to uncover the ' revenge motive, targeted specifically at one member's family for their alleged role in the . The culminates in a , leaving the surviving antagonists at large and implying ongoing peril.

Cast and characters

The main cast of The Helpers features up-and-coming actors, many with backgrounds in music videos, reflecting director Chris Stokes' connections in the R&B industry. Kristen Quintrall portrays Claire, the and resourceful survivor who is the daughter of the owner; her character's determination drives the group's attempts to escape the killers' traps, heightening the film's tension through her strategic decisions amid escalating . Denyce Lawton plays , Claire's sarcastic friend and an early victim whose quick wit provides initial but underscores the vulnerability of the naive s on the trip. Christopher stars as Ryan, Claire's boyfriend who attempts to assume leadership during the crisis, often clashing with the group's dynamics and amplifying the chaos as victims fall one by one. JoJo Wright embodies , the character who documents the road trip on video, inadvertently capturing key moments of terror that build the found-footage elements of the narrative. Rachel Sterling appears as Anna, another friend in the group whose gruesome death exemplifies the killers' brutality. Black Thomas portrays Jordan, a member of the friend group whose naivety contributes to the early mistakes. Dustin Harnish plays Todd, embodying the archetype of the partying whose carefree attitude heightens the group's vulnerability at the isolated location. In supporting roles, the antagonists are depicted as traumatized orphans transformed into sociopathic killers, with their backstories adding motive depth to the . Dallas Lovato plays Norah, the lead killer and vengeful whose personal against society propels the central , making her a formidable force that preys on the protagonists' trust. These character archetypes—victims as carefree partiers and antagonists as damaged survivors—intensify the dynamics by contrasting innocence with calculated revenge.

Production

Development

The development of The Helpers represented filmmaker Chris Stokes' pivot to the horror genre, building on his prior success with urban dance films such as You Got Served. Stokes penned the original script, inspired by established horror works like Saw and Paranormal Activity, with the goal of merging traditional narrative filmmaking and found-footage aesthetics to craft a novel terror experience. The storyline revolves around a group of friends whose road trip leads them to a remote motel where seemingly helpful inhabitants turn sadistic, systematically hunting and terrorizing the group in a low-budget slasher setup. Pre-production efforts, led by producers Chris Stokes and Zeus Zamani through Footage Films and Chris B. Stokes Entertainment, emphasized logistical planning for isolated settings to heighten tension. The production operated on an estimated budget of $4 million, allowing for a blend of commercial appeal and thematic exploration of retribution.

Filming

Principal photography for The Helpers took place in 2011, primarily in the deserts of and at near . The production adopted a low-budget approach to capture the film's found-footage aesthetic, emphasizing practical locations to enhance realism. Key locations included the motel at , where practical effects were integrated for the story's trap sequences. Road trip scenes were filmed along to simulate the route to , leveraging the desolate highway for tension-building exteriors. These choices aligned with the film's genre constraints, briefly referencing the budget limitations established during development. The found-footage style presented technical challenges, requiring multiple camera setups such as handheld devices and to mimic amateur recordings. Night shoots for the murder scenes caused scheduling difficulties and contributed to actor fatigue, complicating the tight timeline. Special effects focused on practical for the film's murder sequences, avoiding major to maintain low-budget realism. This approach prioritized visceral, on-set executions over digital enhancements. involved basic in 2012 to refine the footage into a 77-minute , streamlining the raw found-footage elements for coherence.

Release

Distribution

The Helpers received a in the United States on September 28, 2012. Internationally, it was retitled No Vacancy or Vacancy 4 in some markets, and distributed through in select markets, with releases rolling out in Europe and Asia by early 2013. Marketing efforts highlighted the found-footage horror elements, featuring trailers that built suspense around the motel setting and group dynamics. Promotion leveraged Chris Stokes' connections in the music industry for targeted campaigns on platforms like and . The film earned an R rating from the Motion Picture Association of America for brutal violence, gore, language, sexual content, and nudity. Initial video-on-demand availability began on platforms including iTunes and Amazon Prime Video shortly after the theatrical run.

Home media

The film was first made available on home media in the United Kingdom with a DVD release titled The Helpers on January 21, 2013. This edition, distributed in Region 2 format, featured the original title and catered to international audiences seeking the horror thriller following its limited theatrical rollout earlier that year. In the United States, the debut occurred later under the alternate title No Vacancy, with issuing a single-disc DVD on July 1, 2014. The release included supplementary materials such as deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and cast interviews, alongside a digital HD copy redeemable via . Encoded in with 5.1 audio and subtitles in English and , the DVD maintained a 2.35:1 but did not extend to Blu-ray format. As of 2025, The Helpers remains accessible through various digital platforms, streaming for free with advertisements on and available via subscription on and + Amazon Channel. Rental and purchase options persist on services like , at Home, and Movies, ensuring ongoing availability without a upgrade or further physical re-releases.

Reception

Critical response

The Helpers received mixed to negative critical reception, with professional reviewers highlighting its derivative nature within the found-footage horror genre. On , the film holds no Tomatometer score due to only one review, which is marked as rotten, while the audience score stands at 19% based on over 100 ratings (as of 2025). The consensus from limited critiques describes it as a "motel-set torture shocker [that] goes efficiently enough through the routines it borrows from , , and Saw, without ever really finding its own voice." Some centered on the film's brisk pacing and compact 77-minute , which prevented it from overstaying its welcome and maintained an energetic flow through its kill sequences. Reviewers also commended the practical effects for delivering visceral impact despite the low budget. For instance, one assessment praised it as a " that doesn't take itself too seriously," emphasizing its unpretentious entertainment value. Criticisms overwhelmingly focused on the film's lack of , with many calling it a clichéd assembly of slasher tropes featuring predictable developments and implausible character choices that strained credibility. Performances were frequently derided as wooden and unconvincing, contributing to from the . HorrorNews.net encapsulated this sentiment by labeling it "utterly unoriginal" with " [that] are not interesting or sympathetic enough to care about" and villains rendered "too cartoonishly screechy," while acknowledging its "high values" as a relative bright spot. User reviews on IMDb averaged 4.2 out of 10 from approximately 2,400 ratings (as of 2025), reflecting similar discontent with its formulaic storytelling and execution, though a minority appreciated the gore and brevity as passable B-movie fare.

Commercial performance

The Helpers had a limited theatrical release in the United States, with minimal box office reporting available and no wide international theatrical distribution reported. It was produced on an estimated $4 million budget. The found distribution primarily through home and video-on-demand platforms. It was marketed in some markets as an unofficial sequel titled "Vacancy 4," which generated initial interest.

References

  1. [1]
    No Vacancy (2012) ⭐ 4.2 | Horror
    **Key Information:**
  2. [2]
    The Helpers (2012) - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 19% (24) Seven friends on a road trip break down near a motel and they are helped by several people. They spend the night and wake up to a gruesome and bloody reality.
  3. [3]
    https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/114635-the-helpers
  4. [4]
    No Vacancy (2012) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Cast ; Kristian Quintrall as Linda. Kristen Quintrall · Claire ; Denyce Lawton · Brandy ; Dustin Harnish · Todd ; Black Thomas · Jordan ; Christopher Michael Jones · Ryan.
  5. [5]
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1854582/releaseinfo
  6. [6]
    Chris Stokes - IMDb
    Chris Stokes has been the creative director for the line since its inception, and it represents his vision of luxurious, beautiful clothes for men and women.Missing: background | Show results with:background
  7. [7]
    Somebody Help Me (Video 2007) - IMDb
    Rating 4/10 (1,098) The screenplay centers on characters Brendan Young and Darryl Jennings who take a trip to the Lake Arrowhead with a group of college friends.Missing: found | Show results with:found
  8. [8]
    The Helpers - ‎Apple TV
    The Helpers ... Found-footage horror directed by Chris Stokes. A group of seven friends head on a road trip to Las Vegas, but along the way encounter a road block ...
  9. [9]
    Film Review: The Helpers (2012) | HNN - Horrornews.net
    Mar 4, 2020 · Seven friends on a road trip to Las Vegas break down near a rest-stop motel, where they encounter a seemingly helpful group of people.
  10. [10]
    The Helpers (2012) - Chris Stokes - Letterboxd
    Rating 2.2 (1,020) Seven friends from Sacramento, California head out on a documented road trip to Las Vegas. Their trip takes a very unexpected turn for the worse.
  11. [11]
    No Vacancy (2012) - Plot - IMDb
    Synopsis. Seven friends from Sacramento California all decide to go on a documented trip to Las Vegas. All seems fun until they hit a detour/road block.
  12. [12]
    The Helpers | Cast and Crew - Rotten Tomatoes
    Cast & Crew · Chris Stokes · Kristen Quintrall · Denyce Lawton · Christopher Jones · Rachel Sterling · Black Thomas · Dustin Harnish · Braxton Davis.
  13. [13]
    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_helpers_2012/cast-and-crew
  14. [14]
    No Vacancy - Footage Films
    Cast & Crew Members ; Kristen Quintrall · Claire ; Denyce Lawton · Brandy ; Dustin Harnish. as Todd ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  15. [15]
    Chris Stokes Goes Indy for New Film "Captivity" - Black Enterprise
    May 31, 2013 · ... The Helpers” gives you.” “I've been writing and directing movies for ... Thanks to the profit formula for lower to medium-budget movies ...
  16. [16]
    9781137391209.pdf
    film. The low-budget 2012 film The Helpers features villains who are moti- vated by revenge. Seven 20-something pals on a road trip to Vegas take a wrong ...
  17. [17]
    The Helpers (2012) | Trailer | Kristen Quintrall | Denyce Lawton
    Mar 9, 2018 · to a gruesome and bloody reality. Director: Chris Stokes Producer: Chris Stokes ... The Helpers (2012) | Trailer | Kristen Quintrall | Denyce ...
  18. [18]
    DVD Review: 'The Helpers' - IMDb
    Like many a low-budget American indie horror, director Chris Stokes' The Helpers (2012) has followed a fairly conventional distribution trajectory.
  19. [19]
    No Vacancy (2012) - Filming & production - IMDb
    No Vacancy · Filming locations · Filming dates · Production dates · Contribute to this page · More from this title · More to explore · User lists · Recently viewed.
  20. [20]
    The Helpers - Wikipedia
    The Helpers is a 2012 American horror film by Chris Stokes. The film was released on September 28, 2012. Also known as No Vacancy. The Helpers.
  21. [21]
    No Vacancy (2012) - Release info - IMDb
    Release date ; United States. January 1, 2012(special screening) ; United Kingdom. January 21, 2013(DVD premiere) ; United States. July 1, 2014(DVD premiere).
  22. [22]
    The Helpers Movie Poster (#1 of 3) - IMP Awards
    Jan 29, 2013 · Official theatrical movie poster (#1 of 3) for The Helpers (2012). Directed by Chris Stokes. Starring Kristen Quintrall, Denyce Lawton, ...
  23. [23]
    The Helpers Official Trailer #2 (2012) Horror Movie HD - YouTube
    Jul 10, 2012 · Subscribe to TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/sxaw6h Subscribe to COMING SOON: http://bit.ly/H2vZUn The Helpers Official Trailer #2 (2012) Horror ...
  24. [24]
    Parents guide - No Vacancy (2012) - IMDb
    Motion Picture Rating (MPA). Rated R for brutal bloody violence, strong sexuality, nudity and language · Sex & Nudity: Moderate · Violence & Gore: Severe.Missing: Helpers MPAA
  25. [25]
    The Helpers streaming: where to watch movie online? - JustWatch
    Rating 19% (31) You can buy "The Helpers" on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home as download or rent it on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home online.Synopsis · About The Movie · Cast
  26. [26]
    The Helpers [DVD] - Amazon UK
    Rating 2.9 (31) Denyce Lawton. Actor · Miko Dannels. Cinematographer · Chris Stokes. Director, Producer. The Helpers [DVD]. 2.9 2.9 out of 5 stars (31). IMDb4.2/10.0. The ...
  27. [27]
    The Helpers Movie UK - The Helpers is out on DVD 21st January ...
    The Helpers is out on DVD 21st January 2013!
  28. [28]
    No Vacancy DVD (The Helpers) - Blu-ray.com
    730-day returnsSeven friends on a road trip to Las Vegas are forced to stop at a roadside motel. With no other option, they are convinced to spend the night.
  29. [29]
    OnVideo.org - Home Video Releases - DVDs, Blu-ray - July
    No Vacancy (aka The Helpers) (2012) Christopher Michael Jones, Jo Jo ... (Phase 4 Films). photo for Make Your Move Make Your Move (2014) Derek Hough ...
  30. [30]
    https://www.roku.com/whats-on/movies/the-helpers
  31. [31]
    The Helpers | Reviews - Rotten Tomatoes
    Explore critic and audience reviews for The Helpers on Rotten Tomatoes. Uncover scores, opinions, and ratings.
  32. [32]
    The Helpers (Review) - AdamTheMovieGod
    The Helpers is just a fun horror film that doesn't take itself to seriously. It's a very quick pace, running just 77 minutes and never wears out its welcome.
  33. [33]
    The Helpers (2012) - Box Office and Financial Information
    Financial analysis of The Helpers (2012) including production budget, domestic and international box office gross, DVD and Blu-ray sales reports.Missing: media | Show results with:media