Series 7: The Contenders 2001

Lampooning the ever-escalating shock value of reality television, Series 7: The Contenders unfolds a chilling imagined scenario where contestants must kill one another to win. Selected at random, and seemingly with governmental sanction, these real people are thrust into a town armed with weapons, fighting for survival until only one remains. The stakes are life and death, and the audience consumes each episode with the same morbid curiosity they reserve for reality shows.

Dawn, played by the heavily pregnant champion Brooke Smith, is mere kills away from being able to retire from this brutal competition. With a singular goal—to eliminate anyone who stands in her way—her tumultuous emotions about her impending motherhood add a pragmatic twist to her lethal approach. Opposing her are a motley crew of challengers: an elderly gentleman, a cold-hearted nurse, a teenage high school graduate, and a man battling testicular cancer who happens to be Dawn’s ex-boyfriend.

As the games begin, Dawn’s relationship with Jeff—the cancer-stricken old flame—complicates her mission. Initially wishing for death, Jeff requests that Dawn be the one to end his life, believing it would be a merciful release. However, as they advance through the treachery of “The Contenders,” their motivations shift, causing a tangled web of emotions. Will they reconcile their past in the midst of the chaos, or will it lead to their destruction?

The film opens with a shock as Dawn walks into a store, casually killing a man while eight months pregnant. It’s a striking prologue to The Contenders, where five randomly chosen participants navigate this grim reality show in a quaint little town, Newton, CT—choosing life or death based on survival instincts witnessed by eager viewers.

As the narrative unfolds, the viewer is thrust alongside Dawn and her cameraman, Pat, who arrive in the town, preparing for the mayhem that is about to ensue. Facing off against her are several challengers, including Tony, a struggling family man, Connie, an icy nurse, Franklin, a retiree who needs a crutch, and Lindsey, a fresh high school graduate. Each character’s backstory builds a rich tapestry of conflict and drama, interspersed with engaging “interview promos” that reveal their inner turmoil and struggles to survive.

Dawn’s chaotic journey through the town leads to intense and desperate confrontations, as she taunts and confronts her rivals—while simultaneously contending with her complicated family ties and fiercely bitter past. In a memorable twist, as Dawn attempts to deliver her child, she is forced to seek help from Connie, her bitter adversary. This leads to a moment of tension that turns into an odd alliance driven by the instinct of nurturing life amidst a backdrop of death.

As we watch Dawn navigate her conflicting emotions, viewers also witness the burgeoning relationship between her and Jeff, culminating in an emotional meeting where the pasts and futures of both characters hang in the balance. With a thrilling conclusion set in a movie theater turned hostage situation, tensions mount as Dawn must choose between love and survival. The shocking twist of her fate is a devastating commentary on the nature of love, sacrifice, and the societal pressures of reality television.

Ultimately, Series 7: The Contenders serves as a chilling critique of modern entertainment, leaving us questioning the true cost of fame and the lengths to which individuals will go to escape their dark pasts. As the dust settles on this harrowing tale, viewers are left with a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the moral dilemmas that abound in the quest for survival.