Taglines: Every school has its spirit.
In 1993, a Beatrice High School senior named Charlie Grimille is killed in a horrific accident during the small town school’s play, The Gallows. In 2013, students at the school resurrect the failed show in a misguided attempt to honor the 20th anniversary of the tragedy – but a few of the students break in at night to stop the production and soon discover that some things are better left alone for good.
The Gallows is an American found footage supernatural horror film written and directed by Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing. The film stars Reese Mishler, Pfeifer Brown, Ryan Shoos and Cassidy Gifford. The film was released by Warner Bros. on July 10, 2015, and has received negative reviews from critics. The film grossed $42 million on its $100,000 budget. The film was originally under the name Stage Fright, and was to be released by Tremendum Pictures on October, 2012. On June 24, 2014, New Line Cinema acquired distribution rights to the film.
About the Story
The film starts in October 1993 at the Beatrice High School performance of “The Gallows”. The parents of Charlie Grimille record the play and admire their son’s performance. Near the end of the play, Charlie’s character is set to be hung at the gallows. Tragedy strikes when the door beneath Charlie’s feet opens and he falls through with a noose around his neck, effectively hanging and killing him in front of his co-stars and the entire audience.
20 years later in 2013, a student at the same school, Ryan Shoos tapes his friend (and the events of the film) Reese Houser as he is in a production of “The Gallows” playing the same character Charlie played. Reese acts alongside his crush Pfeifer, but he never gets to kiss her during their big scene together. Ryan follows Reese and mocks the play while also recording several parents watching the rehearsals. Ryan speaks to a woman who was there during the original performance and witnessed Charlie’s death.
During the day, Ryan continues to mess around with the theater crew and also to hang out with his girlfriend Cassidy. Ryan finds out about Reese’s crush on Pfeifer and decides to play wingman, so he finds Pfeifer and asks her how she feels about Reese and doing the play with him. She dances around the questions and expresses confidence in the play.
As Ryan leaves her, he finds a door that never locks. This gives him an idea that he pitches to Reese and Cassidy in which they will sneak in at night and destroy the play’s set. Ryan knows Reese doesn’t want to do the show for any reason other than to impress Pfeifer, so he coerces Reese into doing it so he can later console Pfeifer when she’s devastated to see the set ruined.
Ryan goes to Reese’s house where he’s arguing with his father Rick over Reese doing the play. Reese takes Ryan and Cassidy to the school to set off their plan. They eventually destroy the set. Pfeifer shows up after claiming to have seen Reese’s car. Ryan not-so-discreetly leaves the camera to record Reese trying to tell Pfeifer his reason for being there.
As they talk, Ryan hears a loud thump that sounds like a bell tolling. The kids get a bit worried and try to leave, only to discover that the door that doesn’t lock has somehow now been locked. They can’t call for help because they have no signal. In their frustration, Cassidy tells Pfeifer that they were there to destroy the set, making Pfeifer angry with all of them, especially Reese.
The Gallows
Directed by: Travis Cluff, Chris Lofing
Starring: Cassidy Gifford, Pfeifer Brown, Ryan Shoos, Reese Mishler, Alexis Schneider, Price T. Morgan
Screenplay by: Travis Cluff, Chris Lofing
Production Design by: Stephanie Hass, Marc Hatwig, Jennifer Sullivan
Cinematography by: Edd Lukas
Film Editing by: Chris Lofing
Costume Design by: Jessica Peter, Nicki Stewart
Music by: Zach Lemmon
MPAA Rating: R for some disturbing violent content and terror.
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: July 10, 2015
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