Director: Travis Cluff, Chris Lofing
Writer: Travis Cluff, Chris Lofing (Screenplay)
Starring: Reese Mishler, Pfeifer Brown, Ryan Shoos, Cassidy Gifford, Travis Cluff, Price T Morgan
Plot: 20 years after a horrific accident during a small town school play, students at the school resurrect the failed show in a misguided attempt to honor the anniversary of the tragedy – but soon discover that some things are better left alone.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Solid Low Budget Horror
Story: The Gallows starts in 1993 with a school play and found footage from the crowd witnessing the play, but the play is struck with tragedy when one of the students is killed live on stage.
Move forward 20 years and with the found footage idea continues with our camera man Ryan (Shoos) recording Reese (Mishler) and Pfeifer (Brown) practicing for the school play. The school is doing the same play as 20 years ago The Gallows to pay respect to what happened.
Ryan wants to get Reese out of the play and his plan is to break into the show and destroy the set. With Reese, Ryan and his girlfriend Cassidy (Gifford) in the empty school Ryan calls out the ghost of Charlie the boy who died 20 years before. When the three bump into the lead of the show Pfeifer they find themselves locked in with no signal and the destruction they caused fixed, but that is only the beginning of their terror.
The Gallows really is a simple horror story and that is all we need to have when it comes to horror because this film ends up letting the story unfold without getting complicated. The idea of what happens works really well because it is the found footage idea of four people screaming works. I will say avoid the trailer because it gives too much away as I went in total blind and found everything enjoyable. The film ends up mixing the elements of a slasher and found footage even if you are questioning why Ryan is filming breaking into the school to vandalise the sent. (7/10)
Actor Review
Reese Mishler: Reese is going to be the lead in the play after dropping out of the football team. As he is struggling with the play he agrees to go with his friend to destroy the set but he ends up learning the terrible truth about the original play. Reese does a solid job but doesn’t reach the level of someone you want to care about in a leading role. (6/10)
Pfeifer Brown: Pfeifer is the girl who is also the lead in the play but also the one that picked the play, she ends up stuck inside for now known reason other than driving past, strange to say the least. She has to work with the people who are against the play to survive the night. Pfeifer does a good job in her role. (7/10)
Ryan Shoos: Ryan is the guy with the cameras and typical high school jock, happy to mock anyone that isn’t in his social circle. He is the one that convinces the friend to go and ruin the set and is easily designed to be the guy you hate. Ryan does a good job because in horror it is hard to make a character you really hate and this guy makes it happen. (7/10)
Cassidy Gifford: Cassidy is the girlfriend of Ryan who comes to destroy the set. She is the typical selfish high school cheerleader, who will sell out her friends to survive. Cassidy is good in the role as the girl you know will get what is coming to her. (7/10)
Support Cast: The Gallows has supporting characters early on but none of them are involved in the main action.
Director Review: Travis Cluff, Chris Lofing – The pair give us a good cross between slasher and found footage that pulls you to the edge of your seat. (7/10)
Horror: The Gallows is filled with scares that all suit the genre well. (7/10)
Thriller: The Gallows keeps you guessing until the very end about what is going to happen next. (7/10)
Settings: The Gallows puts our four main characters in a location with no escape, what more do you need in a horror film? (7/10)
Special Effects: The Gallows is meant to be found footage which is fair enough, but the special effects actually look too good for a hand held camera to pick up this well. (5/10)
Suggestion: The Gallows is one for the horror fans to enjoy, just don’t watch the trailer first, go in blind and you will enjoy this one. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: The chase with Charlie chasing them down.
Worst Part: Trying to figure out why the guy filmed breaking into the school.
Funniest Scene: Revenge Pranks
Scariest Scene: Alone on stage.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $22 Million
Budget: $100,000
Runtime: 1 Hour 21 Minutes
Tagline: Every School Has Its Spirit
Trivia: Most of the film’s budget came from people who had never invested in a film before and were local friends of the film-makers in Central California.
Overall: A fright filled horror gem
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