Poster for The Gallows

The Gallows (2015) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

20 years after a horrific accident during a small town school play, students at the school resurrect the failed show in a misguided attempt to honor the anniversary of the tragedy - but soon discover that some things are better left alone.

Rated R • 2015 • 1h 21m

4.9
800+
Average rating by Bontent members
Sign up for full access
Age
13+

The Gallows (2015) is rated R for disturbing violent content and sustained terror surrounding a 20‑year‑old school play accident. Expect repeated supernatural/slasher violence tied to hangings and rope injuries (the ghostly "Hangman" chokes, drags and kills several teens on school property), plus found‑footage style phone and tape footage that shows on‑screen deaths. There is no explicit nudity and no drug or alcohol use, but the film… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Reese Mishler
Reese Mishler
Pfeifer Brown
Pfeifer Brown
Ryan Shoos
Ryan Shoos
Cassidy Gifford
Cassidy Gifford
Price T. Morgan
Price T. Morgan
Mackie Burt
Mackie Burt
Travis Cluff
Travis Cluff
MB
Melissa Bratton
TB
Theo Burkhardt
DH
David Herrera
Alexa Benson
Alexa Benson
Rebecca Dowty
Rebecca Dowty
Sign up to get 40,000+ Bontent parent guides
Unlock ratings, reviews, recommendations and guides for all content types

Is The Gallows appropriate for kids?

The Gallows (2015) is rated R for disturbing violent content and sustained terror surrounding a 20‑year‑old school play accident. Expect repeated supernatural/slasher violence tied to hangings and rope injuries (the ghostly "Hangman" chokes, drags and kills several teens on… Read more — free account

Content severity in The Gallows

Sex Mild 2/10
Violence Intense 8/10
Language Moderate 4/10
Substances None 0/10
Themes Strong 7/10

What happens in The Gallows, moment by moment

  1. 0:02 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
  2. 0:03 ♥ Sex & Nudity 2/10
  3. 0:06 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
Unlock all 18 flagged moments — free account →

Sex and nudity in The Gallows

Light, non‑graphic sexual material: brief shirtless/underwear moments and crude talk among teens, but no explicit sexual activity or nudity. Examples include a boy caught in his underwear by his mother and a quick locker‑room shirtless complaint about filming.

Violence and gore in The Gallows

Strong, persistent supernatural violence centered on hanging and strangulation: the film shows archival footage of an accidental hanging, a discovered hanging body, rope burns, characters yanked into the air, a broken leg from a fall, and multiple on‑screen killings (students and a policeman). Violence is often shown via found‑footage/phone tapes and staged onstage sequences; blood is limited but the choking/hanging imagery and on‑screen deaths are intense.

Language in The Gallows

Mild overall but includes occasional strong profanity, including the f‑word, alongside more common teen swearing. Language is brief and not pervasive, but there are several moments of explicit cursing during fights and panicked scenes.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Gallows

None. There is no notable alcohol, drug use, or smoking shown on screen.

Mature themes in The Gallows

Strong themes of accidental death, grief, legacy and revenge permeate the film: the plot revolves around the 1993 stage death of Charlie Grimille and its effects twenty years later, including identity revelations and obsession with reenacting the original play. The movie repeatedly returns to trauma, blame, and the idea that the past 'won't stay buried.'

Bontent Member Reviews

Register for free to join the conversation!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Gallows appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests The Gallows is best for ages 13+. It's rated R. The Gallows (2015) is rated R for disturbing violent content and sustained terror surrounding a 20‑year‑old school play accident. Expect repeated supernatural/slasher violence tied to hangings and rope injuries (the…

What age rating does The Gallows have?

The Gallows is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.

What is The Gallows about?

The Gallows (2015) is rated R for disturbing violent content and sustained terror surrounding a 20‑year‑old school play accident. Expect repeated supernatural/slasher violence tied to hangings and rope injuries (the ghostly "Hangman" chokes, drags and kills several teens on school property), plus found‑footage style…

Is there sex or nudity in The Gallows?

Light, non‑graphic sexual material: brief shirtless/underwear moments and crude talk among teens, but no explicit sexual activity or nudity. Examples include a boy caught in his underwear by his mother and a quick locker‑room shirtless complaint about filming.

How violent is The Gallows?

Strong, persistent supernatural violence centered on hanging and strangulation: the film shows archival footage of an accidental hanging, a discovered hanging body, rope burns, characters yanked into the air, a broken leg from a fall, and multiple on‑screen…

Is the language in The Gallows appropriate for kids?

Mild overall but includes occasional strong profanity, including the f‑word, alongside more common teen swearing. Language is brief and not pervasive, but there are several moments of explicit cursing during fights and panicked scenes.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Gallows?

None. There is no notable alcohol, drug use, or smoking shown on screen.

What mature themes appear in The Gallows?

Strong themes of accidental death, grief, legacy and revenge permeate the film: the plot revolves around the 1993 stage death of Charlie Grimille and its effects twenty years later, including identity revelations and obsession with reenacting the original…

How long is The Gallows?

The Gallows runs 81 minutes, directed by Travis Cluff, Chris Lofing, released in 2015.

Where can I read the full The Gallows parent guide?

Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.

Sign up for access to 40,000+ parent guides.