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Crime Cult Classic

A teenage girl fights to expose her murderous stepfather—if only anyone would believe her.

SCREAM FOR HELP

Alone and afraid... Was she imagining or was it real...

1984 · 1h 30m · R · Crime / Horror / Mystery / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

A teenaged girl discovers that her stepfather is trying to murder her and her mother, but when she tells people, no one will believe her.

Quick Answer

What is Scream for Help about?

Scream for Help is a 1984 United Kingdom/United States crime, horror, mystery, and thriller film directed by Michael Winner about a teenage girl convinced her stepfather is trying to kill her mother.

Programmer's Pick

If you think your family has issues, try being Christie Cromwell, whose stepdad might just have murder on his honey-do list. Michael Winner and Tom Holland serve up a wild cocktail of teen sleuthing, '80s attitude, and home invasion menace—not to mention more awkward sexual tension than a soap opera marathon.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Scream for Help is a 1984 thriller directed by Michael Winner and written by Tom Holland, centering on 17-year-old Christie Cromwell, who is adamant that her stepfather Paul Fox is plotting to murder her wealthy mother. Despite her conviction, Christie finds herself isolated as her suspicions are dismissed by her mother, friends, and even the police chief. The film quickly establishes a tense atmosphere as Christie embarks on a determined mission to protect her family and prove her stepfather's sinister intentions. With a cast that includes Rachael Kelly, Marie Masters, David Allen Brooks, and Rocco Sisto, Scream for Help blends the paranoia of a domestic thriller with the suspense of a teen-driven crime mystery.

Details & Specs

Director
Michael Winner
Writer
Tom Holland
Release
1984
Runtime
1h 30m
Country
United Kingdom, United States of America
Language
English
Also Known As
La casa in Hell Street, Socorro!, Kravges tromou, Spur in den Tod, Condenada sin salida, Крик о помощи, Grito de socorro

Why This Matters

This film features a musical score by former Led Zeppelin member John Paul Jones and was written by Tom Holland, who later became notable for his work in the horror genre.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: Michael Winner Writer: Tom Holland

Why Cult

Teenage Detective Heroine

Christie Cromwell is a determined 17-year-old protagonist who refuses to be dismissed, driving the suspense as she investigates her own stepfather.

Domestic Paranoia

The film plays on the fear of betrayal within the home, with a stepfather whose intentions are as deadly as they are doubted.

Script by Tom Holland

Penned by Tom Holland—who later gave us Fright Night—the film brings a sharp, twisted edge to its tale of suburban menace.

Over-the-Top '80s Sensibility

From its frank take on teenage sexuality to its exaggerated villainy, the film is unfiltered '80s pulp at its liveliest.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Christie suspects her stepfather's intentions

Threat

Stepfather's murder plot

Effect

Endangers Christie and her mother's lives

Setting

Family home and surrounding town

Questions from the Vault

When was Scream for Help released? +

Scream for Help was released in 1984.

Who directed Scream for Help? +

Scream for Help was directed by Michael Winner.

How long is Scream for Help? +

Scream for Help has a runtime of 90 minutes.

What genre is Scream for Help? +

Scream for Help is a crime, horror, mystery, and thriller film.

Why does no one believe Christie when she suspects her stepfather? +

Despite Christie's insistence that her stepfather is trying to murder her mother, her mother, friends, and even the police chief dismiss her claims, leaving her isolated and determined to prove the threat herself.

Trailers & Clips