Rather than taking the time to flesh out the story a bit, writer/directors Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing keep it too simple.
The Gallows has a decent premise. In 1993, an accident at a school play causes the death of a teenager in front of the audience. In 2015, for some unknown reason, the school decides to put on the same play. Reese (Reese Mishler) is cast in the role of the character that died in the original production. His friend, Ryan (Ryan Shoos) ridicules him for quitting the football team to be in the play. Ryan razzes Reese about his acting skills. In an attempt to save Reese from embarrassing himself in front of the school, Ryan comes up with the idea to vandalize the set the night before the first performance. Ryan convinces Reese that this is his only option. Ryan’s girlfriend, Cassidy (Cassidy Gifford), invites herself to participate in the prank.
Sneaking in to the school through a broken stage door, the trio begin to demolish the set. Reese’s crush and co-star, Pfeifer (Pfeifer Brown), finds them in the act. Before they can explain what they’re doing, strange things begin to happen. They find themselves locked in. Someone or something begins to pick them off, one-by-one.
That doesn’t sound so bad, right? Not exactly earth-shattering, but a good idea for a cheaply made horror film. The problem is the use of the found footage trope. It’s a gimmick that has worn out its welcome. It allows for a plethora of jump scares but that’s it. If that’s all you’re looking for, The Gallows is a great way to spend 80 minutes.
It’s disappointing that the promising idea is wasted on a film that takes the cheap scare route. Rather than taking the time to flesh out the story a bit, writer/directors Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing keep it too simple. What Cluff and Lofing produced with a bare minimum of cash (and a refreshing lack of CGI) is impressive. I just wish it went further story-wise.
2.0 out of 5.0 stars
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