
Wrong Turn (2003)
Chris crashes into a carload of other young people, and the group of stranded motorists is soon lost in the woods of West Virginia, where they're hunted by three cannibalistic mountain men who are grossly disfigured by generations of inbreeding.
Details
Budget
$12,600,000
Rating
6/10 (2754 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
DCP Wrong Turn Productions, Summit Entertainment, Regency Enterprises, Media Cooperation One, Constantin Film, 20th Century Fox, Don Carmody Productions
About Wrong Turn
Released in 2003, "Wrong Turn" immerses viewers in a survival horror scenario within the forests of West Virginia. The film follows a group of young people, stranded after a car crash, who find themselves hunted by a family of inbred, cannibalistic mountain men. This premise draws on elements of both slasher films and creature features, focusing on the characters' desperate struggle against a relentless, grotesque threat.
The narrative structure sets up a series of escalating confrontations, with the isolated, unfamiliar environment playing a significant role in the tension. Practical gore effects contribute to the film's visceral impact, aiming to deliver a direct, unsettling experience. The film also explores themes of isolation and the breakdown of social order when characters are pushed to their limits in a brutal landscape.
While critics were divided, with a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 32/100 on Metacritic, the audience reception was generally more favorable, indicated by a 6.1 IMDb rating and a 6.0 average on TMDB from over 2,700 votes. This suggests the film resonated more strongly with its target horror audience, who appreciated its straightforward approach to suspense and its graphic content.
Why you might be searching for Wrong Turn
People are often searching for details about the film's memorable villains, the specific horror elements like gore and cannibalism, and the remote, dangerous setting of West Virginia. Details such as a 'thin blonde in the woods' or the 'group of people being pursued by a tribe of cannibals' point to the film's core narrative and its lasting impact on viewers.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer considers "Wrong Turn" an underrated horror entry, noting its effective practical effects and strong cast, which help viewers connect with the characters despite the violent premise involving inbred cannibals.
Read the full reviewThe same reviewer details the film's portrayals of death, highlighting specific, impactful kills like Francine's barbed wire sequence and Carly's beheading, while finding others less compelling.
Read the full reviewThis user also praised the acting, specifically mentioning Eliza Dushku and Jeremy Sisto for their performances.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream *Wrong Turn* (2003) on [Amazon Prime Video](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/wrong-turn) or Tubi. It is also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
No, *Wrong Turn* is not based on a true story. The script was written by Alan B. McElroy, who got the idea after he and his wife had to take a detour on a rural road during a snowstorm.
At the end of *Wrong Turn*, Chris and Jessie escape the cannibals' cabin after Chris frees Jessie and causes an explosion that destroys the cabin. They drive away in the cannibals' pickup truck, and Chris tears up a map he hopes will prevent others from finding the cannibals. However, a mid-credits scene shows that "Three Finger," one of the cannibals, survived the explosion and kills a deputy sheriff investigating the cabin remains.
*Wrong Turn* received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes reports that 41% of 82 critics' reviews were positive, with an average rating of 4.5/10, describing it as an "unremarkable slasher flick."