The Gallows Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A high school play goes horribly wrong, so naturally, 20 years later, they decide to do it again, because what could possibly go wrong…again?

🍿 The Gallows: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Tragic Accident in 1993

In 1993, at Beatrice High School in Nebraska, a school play called “The Gallows” ends in tragedy. During the hanging scene, a prop malfunction causes Charlie Grimille, the actor playing the lead role, to accidentally hang to death in front of the audience.

Reviving the Play Twenty Years Later

Twenty years later, in 2013, the school decides to revive “The Gallows” as a way to honor Charlie. Reese Houser, a football player with a crush on Pfeifer Ross, the play’s director, takes on the lead role, despite his lack of acting talent. His friend Ryan Shoos mocks him relentlessly, filming their rehearsals.

Breaking into the School

Nervous about his performance, Reese agrees to Ryan’s plan to break into the school the night before the premiere and destroy the set. Ryan’s girlfriend, Cassidy Spilker, joins them. They are soon joined by Pfeifer who catches them in the act. As they try to leave, they find themselves locked inside the school.

Trapped and Haunted

Strange occurrences begin to happen. They start hearing noises and seeing shadows. As they try to escape, they discover that they are being haunted by the vengeful spirit of Charlie Grimille. Doors slam shut, and the school seems to change its layout, making it difficult to find their way out.

The Spirit’s Game

The group is slowly picked off one by one. Ryan is the first to be killed after taunting Charlie’s name. As the night progresses, Reese and Pfeifer discover a hidden history connected to the play and Charlie’s death, finding out that Reese’s father was supposed to play the part.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Reese Houser (Reese Mishler): A former football star turned thespian who experiences stage fright while attempting to win Pfeifer’s affection.
• Pfeifer Ross (Pfeifer Brown): The director of the play who is determined to honor Charlie’s memory, but is tied to the tragedy.
• Ryan Shoos (Ryan Shoos): Reese’s obnoxious friend whose misguided plan sets the horrific events in motion.
• Cassidy Spilker (Cassidy Gifford): Ryan’s girlfriend who gets caught up in the terrifying events unfolding at the school.
• Charlie Grimille (N/A): The vengeful ghost of the student who died in a tragic accident during a high school play in 1993.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Reese: “Don’t say his name!” – Reese warns the others not to say Charlie’s name, hinting at the superstition surrounding him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100,000
• Domestic Gross: $22,764,410
• Worldwide Gross: $42,964,410

💥 The Gallows Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting nothing. Found footage is so hit or miss. While ‘The Gallows’ had a few genuinely creepy moments, mostly I found myself rolling my eyes. The characters were so annoying I almost wanted them to get got. The ending twist, while trying to be clever, just felt kinda dumb. Would I watch it again? Probably not. It’s a decent watch for a scary movie night with friends. Just don’t expect too much!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Teen horror fans”
  • “Fans of found-footage horror films”
  • “Viewers looking for jump scares”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Supernatural violence”
  • “Teenage characters in peril”
  • “Jump scares”
  • “Some disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• Bloody Disgusting: “While ‘The Gallows’ has some decent scares and a creepy atmosphere, it relies too heavily on jump scares and a predictable plot. The found-footage style adds little to the overall experience, making it a passable but ultimately forgettable horror flick.
• Keithlovesmovies.com: “It moved with a pretty fast pace which I found unsettling and I wish they could have spent more time explaining certain elements of the plot which were glossed over.The plot was rather predictable and does have some holes but you’re too busy being scared to notice (until it’s over which was when I did). The ending creates more questions than it answers

Audience Reactions

Some found it genuinely scary, especially the jump scares.: The creepy atmosphere and suspense were praised by many viewers.

Overall Consensus: Mixed reviews, with some finding it a fun and scary ride, and others considering it a predictable and poorly executed found-footage horror.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The filmmakers Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing shot a short film version of The Gallows in 2011 with a budget of only $200. After its success, they decided to expand it into a feature film.”
• “Most of the film’s budget came from local friends of the filmmakers in Central California who had never invested in a film before.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Gallows?

As a found-footage horror film, “The Gallows” is available for digital purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for current availability. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray might also be available from online retailers such as Amazon and at local stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Gallows, you might like these similar films:

• The Blair Witch Project (1999): Pioneering found footage horror film that set the standard for the genre, focusing on a group of students getting lost in the woods and stalked by an unseen presence.
• Grave Encounters (2011): A found-footage film where a ghost-hunting reality TV show crew finds themselves trapped in a haunted psychiatric hospital.
• Hell House LLC (2015): Another found-footage horror film about a haunted house attraction that goes horribly wrong, with a similar low-budget feel and focus on scares.

🛒 The Gallows Related Products

• The Gallows [Blu-ray]: Own the physical copy of The Gallows to relive the terror. Perfect for horror movie collectors.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Gallows features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Gallows End Credits” – performed by Zach Lemmon

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Gallows 2015 Alternate Ending No Mom, Cops Bust In

Ever wonder how ‘The Gallows’ could’ve ended? This alternate ending is WILDLY different! Honestly, I kinda prefer this one, it’s so much more intense. Check it out and tell me what you think!

✨ Rate