There are some things that will never get old or any less frightening.
Proof is in the new teaser trailer for The Gallows (in theaters July 10) the latest horror flick from Blumhouse Productions, which previously gave us Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister, The Purge, Oculus and this week's Unfriended. There's no denying the tension and terror provoked by what's simply a clip of a young woman crying and a mysterious figure barely emerging from the darkness to ultimately drag that woman to her doom.
Watch it below.
Yikes, that was creepy
The decision to go with a clip like this is smart, as it doesn't bother to set up a story or show any good times before the darkness falls. We're immediately chilled by the movie's tone. It also offers some mystery. You see this and you want to go learn more.
Compare it to the teasers for previous Blumhouse horror movies, including the one that started the company's good fortunes. In 2009, we caught our first glimpse at Paranormal Activity with their now signature focus on the audience of an early screening.
Take a look:
Let me see some of their other teaser trailers
Marketing of their other releases has typically kicked off with the usual quick-cut montage of scenes. Just hints of terror, which is what you want from an early preview. Plus a mention that these movies are made by the people who brought us Paranormal Activity, of course.
Check out a couple of these here:
Insidious:
Oculus:
Here's the official synopsis of The Gallows, which opens on July 10, 2015:
Everyone in Beatrice, Nebraska knows the name Charlie Grimille, just as everyone knows what happened 30 years ago on stage at Beatrice High School’s production of ‘The Gallows.’ Originally the understudy, Charlie took the lead’s place on opening night. But instead of bowing to applause, Charlie ended up really swinging from the noose. Charlie’s death has loomed over the small town ever since. Now, on the anniversary of his tragic real-life curtain call, Beatrice High School’s drama department is preparing to perform the same play, in the same auditorium. Pfeifer, the star of the show, has spear-headed the revival in an attempt to put the past to rest. The night before the big debut, however, Pfeifer discovers her male costar, Reese, with his football buddy, Ryan, and Ryan’s cheerleader girlfriend, Cassidy, sabotaging the props in an attempt to ruin the opening. But there is far more to worry about than the show going on. Suddenly locked in, with no cell service, no way out, and no one knowing they are even there, the teens soon realize Charlie isn’t at peace. And he isn’t resting.
