Wrong Turn

Jen and her friends set out to hike the Appalachian Trail, chasing a thrill without heeding cautions to stay on the marked path. As they wander off course, the forest swallows their plans and strands them in a remote region best left alone. Dusk tightens in and the woods seem to close in around them, making every step feel watched. What begins as a tense survival exercise shifts into a deadly clash of worlds when they cross into the territory of The Foundation, a reclusive mountain community whose members will go to extreme lengths to guard their way of life. The strangers must maneuver through a maze of traps, suspicion, and escalating danger while trying to understand who they can trust. The tension climbs as supplies dwindle and loyalties tilt under pressure.

Directed by Mike P. Nelson, this 2021 installment reimagines the Wrong Turn premise with a fresh cast and updated rural menace, keeping the claustrophobic tension of the original while bringing a contemporary sensibility to the setting. The project draws on creator Alan B. McElroy's original concept but forges its own path, blending survival thrills with new social tensions and practical effects.

Viewers gave it a mixed reception, with a vote average around 6 out of 10 indicating a divided response among fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. The film explores survival under pressure, outsider danger, and the moral weight of protecting a buried way of life, raising questions about loyalty, fear, and what people will do to safeguard their community.

Its cultural footprint is modest rather than dramatic. While it relaunches a familiar premise for a new generation, it has not produced iconic lines or scenes that endure in pop culture. The film's reception among genre fans centers on its practical effects, performances, and how it reframes The Foundation as a threatening neighbor rather than a distant myth.

Box Office: Data on earnings is limited due to a combination of a modest theatrical run and strong digital release. As a result, figures were not widely reported and box office impact remains understated. This aligns with many 2021 releases that relied on streaming.