The Gallows

The Gallows is a 2015 American found footage supernatural horror film directed by Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing. This gripping and terrifying movie takes us back to the chilling age-old dramatic concept that high school is indeed hell. With an ensemble casting of Reese Mishler, Pfeifer Brown, and Ryan Shoos, the film takes the audience on a horrific journey like never before.

Set in Beatrice High School, Nebraska, the movie follows a group of students tasked with putting together an annual school play. This isn't just any play, however. The in-school production titled ‘The Gallows’ carries with it a chilling history. Twenty years ago, during a live performance of the same play, a high school tragedy occurred. The lead actor of the original performance suffered a freak accident during the show, being hanged for real when a prop malfunctioned, marking a permanent, dark mark on the school's history.

Fast forward two decades later, and the same school decides to resuscitate the play to mark its 20-year anniversary. This decision alone sets an uneasy atmosphere that serves as the foundation for the mounting tension that permeates the film. The narrative primarily focuses on four key characters: stage rookie Reese Houser (Reese Mishler), his crush Pfeifer Ross (Pfeifer Brown), football jock Ryan Shoos (playing himself), and Ryan’s cheerleader girlfriend Cassidy Spilker (Cassidy Gifford).

Reese, desperately wanting to win over Pfeifer, whom he has feelings for, lands the lead role in the revamped play. His close friend, Ryan, believes that the revival of 'The Gallows' is a terrible idea and proposes to sabotage it in an effort to save Reese from a potential embarrassment. Late at night, these characters find themselves in the school, their intentions varied, from preparation to sabotage. In the dim, creepy theater and labyrinth-like backstage area, they're about to discover that they are not alone, and that some stories are better left untold.

What begins as a seemingly innocuous storyline takes a swift turn into the realm of the supernatural. Director-duo Cluff and Lofing manage to successfully manipulate the found-footage genre to create a palpable sense of dread wrapped in suspense. The familiar but eerie setting of a school takes a sinister twist, turning from a haven of education to a labyrinth filled with terror. The heavy emphasis on atmospheric, suspense-building scenes rather than outright gory horror proves to be an effective tactic in retaining the audience’s attention.

Despite its fair share of horror tropes, The Gallows still resonates as it plays on the universal human fear of the unknown and the unseen. This is demonstrated through the use of clever cinematography, shadowy figures, and off-screen sounds that hint at something sinister lurking in the shadows of the desolate theater.

Reese Mishler's character brings a dash of innocence to the tale's dark elements, his initial ambition proving disastrous as horrified uncertainty takes over. Pfeifer Brown delivers a solid performance as the unsuspecting romantic interest caught up in a web of dread and fear. Ryan Shoos takes the movie through terrifying highs and lows with his distinctive role as the 'troublemaker', ensuring that the audience remains on tenterhooks throughout the movie.

While the film remains firmly grounded in the 'found footage' horror genre, it stands out by providing an unexpected exploration of guilt, repercussions, and a desperate prevention attempt that descends into a fight for survival. The Gallows is a haunted house of a film, echoing with the ghostly quietude of the genre’s best, and punctuated by moments so bone-chilling they’ll remain with viewers long after the curtain falls.

Challenging the boundaries of the found footage sub-genre, The Gallows accomplishes an unsettling atmosphere, clever plot developments, and unforgettable frights, all of which serve to contribute to a unique cinematic experience. This is undoubtedly a spine-chilling night at the theatre where the stage is set for the release of an age-old vengeful spirit. It's a bouquet of frights and screams that will keep you on the edge of the seat with bated breath, proving yet again that the horror genre still has a few tricks up its sleeve.