Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Gallows’

Written by Scott Edwards

It is hard to get up on a stage and make your dreams come true. As someone that does not ever want to be in the center of the spotlight of a production, I know I would not be able to do it, even if I was begged to. I know I do not have the chops, or the memory to go up on stage and remember my lines, much less deliver them with any sort of emotion. But enough about me, there are many people that would love the opportunity to get on the stage and have people adore them and their skills. It is not for everybody and you will never know if you will like it until you take that chance. Make sure to give it a go at least once in life, it does not have to be a stage, it could just be public speaking and if you decide that you like it, keep it up, if not, well, there is no shame in working behind the curtain. 

Ryan is watching as his friend Reese is preparing to take center stage in the school's production of The Gallows. Taping his friend and making fun of every move that he makes, Reese seems to be a bit uncomfortable, but his co-star Pfeifer is ready for the show to go on. While trying to figure out why his friend Reese has given up on the football team, Ryan finds out that he has a big-time crush on theater nerd Pfeifer and that is why he signed on for the show. But Reese may never need to take the stage since Ryan comes up with a plan to take the show down before it even starts, thus enhancing Reese’s relationship with Pfeifer, by destroying the set.

Finding that the back stage door does not lock, Ryan, his girlfriend Cassidy and Reese are ready to take down The Gallows before it sees the light of day for the first time in over twenty years, since the last production took place in 1993, which ended with a student being killed on stage. Dismantling the gallows in the center stage, the group is ready to be on their way, but to their amazement, all of the doors in the school are locked. Hearing someone else in the theater with them, the group is shocked to see that Pfeifer is there as well. Needing to find a way out of the building so they will not get into trouble, the group follows a trail of open doors leading them throughout the school, but there is somebody lurking in the shadows, watching the students at every turn. With the ghost of the student that was killed years before after them, the group is starting to understand the importance of the show and why it must go on.

I know that found footage movies are here to stay and I am all right with that as long as a good storyline is present in them. I liked how the story played out in this movie, even though I was not too blown away with the characters. As the night continued on and strange sounds were being heard around the theater, nothing was too frightening, until Cassidy got a little love grip around her neck. Once the ghost was awakened, all bets were off for the group and not being able to escape and having to take the scenic route around the school makes you wonder what secrets your old high school might have had. Dying cell phones, darkness and the only light coming from a camcorder, the scares do wind up finding you, and even though you expect them, you might be surprised where they come from. Stay Scared.

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