The Help (2011): cast, story & where to watch
2011 · Film · ★ 8.2
Released in 2011, The Help is a drama film directed by Tate Taylor, running about 146 minutes. “Change begins with a whisper.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s 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’s in it. The Help stars Emma Stone as Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark, Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson and Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly Holbrook, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.2/10, The Help sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue. It went on to earn $216.6M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Help page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Help tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Help (2011)?
- In US, The Help is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Help worth watching?
- The Help holds an audience score of 8.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Help?
- The Help stars Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard and Jessica Chastain.
- When was The Help released?
- The Help was released in 2011, with a runtime of about 146 minutes.