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Helen

2009·Movie
2h 0min·R
51
MediocreGoodWatch score

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Helen fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, no humor.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace3
  • Adrenaline2

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

Much of it is about family.

  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy8
  • Family Dynamics8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor3
  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Cringe Humor2

World

Everyday modern life, the mind, and family

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Ambiguity6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacing

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Recurence of mental illness cripples successful woman.

On the outside, Helen has it all – a loving family and a successful career – but when her suppressed mental illness resurfaces, the world crumbles around her. Crippled by depression, Helen finds solace through her friendship with Mathilda, a kindred spirit struggling with bipolar disorder.
Psychological DramaMental Illness ExplorationCharacter-Driven NarrativeDepression and IsolationIntimate and SomberStrong PerformancesFriendship and SupportRealistic Portrayal

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Helen

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Helen legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Hoopla, Plex, and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Helen worth watching?

51
MediocreGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 51/100 (IMDb 6.2 and Rotten Tomatoes 44%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Helen rated?

RSuicide themesDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: suicide themes and disturbing imagery.

How long is Helen?

2 h 0 min

Helen runs 2 h 0 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Helen?

Critics44
Audiences56

Not quite. Audiences rate Helen higher (56) than critics (44). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Helen a box office hit?

Budget$8 million
Box office$34,820

No. It cost about $8 million to make and earned $34,820 worldwide, 0% of its budget.

What language is Helen in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, United States.

In how many countries can I watch Helen?

3CAECUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Helen in 3 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.