Blumhouse Productions is returning to theaters this summer with another horror entry—The Gallows. The film is set for release on July 10 and hopes to tap into the same fear-driven formula that made Paranormal Activity and Insidious successful. This time, the story unfolds in a small-town high school with a dark past—and a theater production gone fatally wrong.
Written and directed by newcomers Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing, The Gallows centers around a group of high school students who sneak into their school overnight. Their goal? To resurrect a long-abandoned stage production that was canceled under tragic circumstances years ago. During the original performance, a student actor was killed on stage in a freak accident involving a prop gallows. Now, years later, this new group decides to pay tribute by reviving the play—only to find themselves at the mercy of something far more sinister than poor taste.
Shot in a found-footage style, the film takes a low-fi, DIY approach that’s become something of a Blumhouse trademark. While the format can be divisive, it’s proven to be an effective way to generate suspense and immerse audiences in the horror as it unfolds. If early clips and teasers are any indication, The Gallows is leaning heavily on atmosphere, claustrophobic settings, and the slow unraveling of the characters’ sense of safety.
The cast is largely made up of fresh faces, most of whom are using their real first names for their characters—perhaps a choice intended to heighten the realism, or simply a practical move during production. Among them is one actress who previously appeared in God’s Not Dead, a bit of trivia for fans looking to spot familiar faces in an unfamiliar (and likely more dangerous) setting.
One of the more bizarre touches in the marketing so far is the promotional tagline: “Every school has its secrets.” And if this one involves a ghost with a vendetta and a noose, that’s probably one you don’t want to uncover during tech rehearsal. The film’s trailer features glimpses of shadowy hallways, flickering lights, and terrified teens trying to make it out alive—all staples of modern horror that, if executed well, could make The Gallows a surprise summer hit.
Whether it becomes another breakout horror franchise or a one-off scare, The Gallows looks to deliver the frights when it lands in theaters on July 10.