Score: 2/5
Interesting camera tactics, high school stereotypes and a mediocre plot line with some interesting twists kept me entertained throughout the “The Gallows” 80-minute subpar attempt at horror.
While I was entertained, I was hardly frightened. Of course I jumped and cowered in my seat occasionally, but that is a function of my cowardice in horror films, not the movie’s success.
Directors Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing’s use of a video camera and then iPhone camera were interesting touches that saved the film from the void of boring monotony. The film’s initial narrator/camera man, Ryan Shoos strangely played by Ryan Shoos, offers comical moments that keep the audience entertained during the preamble to the “scary” portion.
The filmmakers throw some classic high school stereotypes into the mix with conflicts between athletes and theater kids, giving the audience some relatable material to chew on. Star football player joins the play to impress this girl he likes, only to have his father chastise him for his decision.
On top of that, this star athlete, Reese Mishler played by Reese Houser (clearly there was a lack of creativity in character names), is horrible at his new role as a Shakespearean actor.
In order to stop Reese from embarrassing himself, Ryan, Reese and Ryan’s girlfriend, Cassidy (also played by an actor with the namesake of her character) go into the high school at night to destroy the set and stop the play from going on. Clearly things don’t go as planned, and “horror” commences!
Some plot twists here and there during their time in the high school keep the audience interested, and then a giant surprise at the end of the film almost had me naively leaving the theater saying that the film was good. Upon further inspection, I realized that the ending plot twist was just a hoax to get me to love the movie. I didn’t fall for it.