The Attic: ‘The Gallows’ Film Review

Welcome to The Attic, it’s showtime!

gallows film

A High School play ended in tragedy when a student, Charlie, was hung to death by what was supposed to be an innocent prop. Twenty years later, they decide the show must go on. Ryan (Ryan Shoos), a student, is filming around school when rehearsals begin, and he interviews a few people in the audience. A strange older woman claims she was at the original play. Another woman says that odd things have happened around the stage. Is this place haunted by the ghost of Charlie? Why would someone who witnessed that tragedy twenty years ago be watching the rehearsals so intently?

Reese (Reese Mishler), your All-American High School jock, has entered the drama scene, and is being teased from people on both sides. He doesn’t seem to mind, since all of his attention is on the star of the play: Pfeifer (Pfeifer Brown). She is your classic drama queen: popular, pretty and talented. But Reese’s best friend, Ryan, doesn’t understand his friend’s crush or desire to be in this play. It is the day before they are set to perform, and he offers Reese a way out.

There is a door behind the stage that doesn’t lock. They can sneak into the school through there, and destroy the set overnight. This way, the play will be cancelled, and Reese will be there to comfort the distraught Pfeifer. Ryan seems proud with this plan, as if he’s doing his friend a favor. Ryan’s cheerleader girlfriend, Cassidy (Cassidy Gifford), demands to come along too. Reese relents, and their plan is set into motion that night. Reese is the most likeable for me, and I was disappointed that he agreed so quickly.

They enter the school that night and begin to damage the set. Reese starts to dismantle the gallows for the infamous scene, and the others break some small items. They don’t do a lot of real damage before they hear a sound and decide to investigate. It is Pfeifer, who has come to see why Reese’s car is in the parking lot so late. When she finds out what they came to do they all rush back into the theater. They are shocked to find a completely untouched set, and the gallows standing tall yet again. Who fixed the set and how did it happen in such a short amount of time?

gallows film

They grow scared, and decide to leave. However, the once unlockable door is now stuck closed. Panic sets in as they realize they have no way to call for help, and something is clearly after them. As they are searching the school for a way out, Reese uncovers some shocking information. His father was in the original play, and was supposed to be in Charlie’s place. But he called in sick and Charlie, his understudy, died instead. They also learn that the strange audience member who claimed to be at the original play was Charlie’s girlfriend.

gallows film

In the end, Reese and Pfeifer are left standing, and they finally have a way out as the door is now open. But Reese runs back inside to get Pfeifer, and finds her on the stage. He decides that the only way to save her is to sacrifice himself. He stands on the gallows and places the noose around his neck. At the last minute he is horrified and confused as Pfeifer begins to recite the lines from her play. It is too late to save himself, and the floor opens up below him. Reese is now dead, and Pfeifer takes a bow. As we hear a single person applauding the conclusion of this scene, the lights come on and we see Charlie’s old girlfriend giving a standing ovation.

The movie switches to the POV of a couple of police officers who are now investigating Pfeifer’s house. Presumably, they have now seen the footage from Ryan’s camera and suspect the young girl. We see the creepy old woman sitting with Pfeifer in a room that can only be described as a shrine to the play. The police officers are killed, and the movie ends.

gallows film

The original play, just seconds before Charlie is killed

So what exactly happened? Well, to many, The Gallows was a bit confusing at times. Why was Charlie so determined to avenge his accidental death on the innocent child of the man who was supposed to be in Charlie’s place? It would make more sense if Reese’s father had been the one to call out on purpose after having rigged the gallows to kill Charlie. But the hanging 20 years ago was an accident.

Next up, why did Pfeifer work so hard to ensure that Reese would die where his father would have so many years ago? Well, apparently Pfeifer is the daughter of Charlie and his girlfriend’s. But even then it doesn’t make sense. I suppose we are meant to believe that Pfeifer inherited her mother’s insanity. Why does Pfeifer’s mother seem so much older?

One thing that was never properly explained was why Ryan would continue to film as they destroy school property. But hey, it’s a movie, right? Acting was certainly a weak point for The Gallows, but it usually is with most found footage horror movies. The ending was a nice twist that I didn’t see coming, but it still felt a bit cheap overall.

The good: Surprising twist ending. Some solid creepy moments.

The bad: Stereotypical characters. Weak acting. Too many questions left unanswered. Shaky filming may make you nauseous.

Stay scared,
Dark Princess

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *