The Help
“Change begins with a whisper.”
Synopsis
Aibileen Clark is a middle-aged African-American maid who has spent her life raising white children and has recently lost her only son; Minny Jackson is an African-American maid who has often offended her employers despite her family's struggles with money and her desperate need for jobs; and Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan is a young white woman who has recently moved back home after graduating college to find out her childhood maid has mysteriously disappeared. These three stories intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi revolves around "the help"; yet they are always kept at a certain distance because of racial lines.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Official TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2011-05-02
Top Cast
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Emma Stone
Skeeter Phelan
Viola Davis
Aibileen Clark
Bryce Dallas Howard
Hilly Holbrook
Octavia Spencer
Minny Jackson
Jessica Chastain
Celia Foote
Ahna O'Reilly
Elizabeth Leefolt
Allison Janney
Charlotte Phelan
Anna Camp
Jolene French
Eleanor Henry
Mae Mobley
Emma Henry
Mae Mobley
Chris Lowell
Stuart Whitworth
Cicely Tyson
Constantine Jefferson
Mike Vogel
Johnny Foote
Sissy Spacek
Missus Walters
Brian Kerwin
Robert Phelan
Wes Chatham
Carlton Phelan
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Yule Mae Davis
Ted Welch
William Holbrook
Release History & Theatrical Window
Gent International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
August 10, 2011
Wide Cinema Exhibition
February 8, 2012
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$25M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$216.6M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
8.66x
+$191.6M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Tate Taylor
- Screenplay & Story
- Tate Taylor
- Original Score
- Thomas Newman
- Original Title
- The Help
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 26m
- Production Budget
- $25M
- Worldwide Gross
- $216.6M
- Production Studios
- 1492 Pictures, Harbinger Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Tate Taylor
Tate Taylor, Kathryn Stockett, Damon Thomas
Thomas Newman
Stephen Goldblatt
Hughes Winborne
Chris Columbus, Brunson Green, Michael Barnathan, Jennifer Blum, Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei
Department Leadership Roster
Tate Taylor
Director
Chris Columbus
Producer
Brunson Green
Producer
Tate Taylor
Screenplay
Stephen Goldblatt
Director of Photography
Michael Barnathan
Producer
Thomas Newman
Original Music Composer
Sharen Davis
Costume Design
Hughes Winborne
Editor
Mark Ricker
Production Design
Rocky Capella
Stunt Coordinator
Rex Reddick
Stunt Coordinator
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
Parental Guidance Suggested.
FSK 0 — Approved without age restriction.
12 Accompanied — Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Help.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Help
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Help about?
Aibileen Clark is a middle-aged African-American maid who has spent her life raising white children and has recently lost her only son; Minny Jackson is an African-American maid who has often offended her employers despite her family's struggles with money and her desperate need for jobs; and Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan is a young white woman who has recently moved back home after graduating college to find out her childhood maid has mysteriously disappeared. These three stories intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi revolves around "the help"; yet they are always kept at a certain distance because of racial lines.
Who directed The Help?
The Help was directed by Tate Taylor.
Who stars in The Help?
The principal cast of The Help includes Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain.
When was The Help released and how long is it?
The Help was released in 2011 with a total runtime of 2h 26m.
What was the box office and production budget of The Help?
The Help had a reported production budget of $25M and grossed $216.6M at the worldwide box office (8.66 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for The Help?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Help was composed by Thomas Newman.
Is The Help based on a book or true story?
The Help is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Kathryn Stockett".
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Help?
The Help holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); CA: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested.); DE: 0 (FSK 0 — Approved without age restriction.); FR: TP; GB: 12A (12 Accompanied — Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.); US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).