From Jeff Nelson

The horror genre’s take on scarecrows proves that these objects have the potential to strike fear into more than birds. 30 Days of Night director David Slade takes a stab at Norman Partridge’s 2006 horror novel of the same name, which also brings hints of The Hunger Games into its survival premise. Unfortunately, its promising concept falls flat in the execution.

Every Halloween, a cursed town sends a group of teenage boys off to save all that they hold dear in a battle against a murderous scarecrow named Sawtooth Jack before the clock strikes midnight. Set in 1963, Richie Shepard (Casey Likes) volunteers to join the annual fight after his older brother (Britain Dalton) won the previous year, earning the family a beautiful home and other luxurious prizes. However, Richie discovers that there’s more to the tradition than meets the eye, motivating him to break the cycle once and for all.

Dark Harvest puts the stakes on display in the previous year’s hunt, showcasing the death and violence unleashed on the holiday to keep the town safe. We soon realize how the adults manipulate the adolescent boys to create barbarian-like warriors that will do anything to killthe monster, although they also have the notable prize package to secure for their families and themselves as motivation. Nevertheless, some boys freeze in the face of the killer scarecrow, resulting in certain death.

Michael Gilio’s screenplay infuses dramatic sub-plots that involve Richie’s romance with a local girl named Kelly (Emyri Crutchfield) and his frustrations living in his brother’s shadow. Jim’s success made him somewhat of a legend among adults and teenagers alike, making it impossible for Richie to compete for such high praises. Meanwhile, he feels abandoned by his brother, only further pushing him to break the rules about siblings competing to prove that he has what it takes to win the hunt. Kelly is the potential light at the end of the tunnel, never defining him by who he’s related to.

Sawtooth Jack defines the Halloween holiday for this town, looming over their customs long before he rises from the cornfields once again. Dark Harvest takes some time before unleashing the monster and beginning the hunt, where the blood then begins to flood the streets and cornfields. Sawtooth Jack kills with brutality, delivering on the gore factor with impressive FX at work.

The mysteries behind the hunt and its authorities aren’t difficult to figure out, as Richie and his fellow classmates begin to learn more about the horrors of their traditions. The battle against the murderous scarecrow could go for longer, rather than investing so much time into Richie’s personal struggles that never come to life, making for awkward lulls.

Dark Harvest builds an intriguing world involving a bloodthirsty scarecrow, but the movie around it is poorly executed and forgettable. Richie’s family and social woes of inferiority have potential, although he never makes for a particularly compelling lead. We never grow particularly invested in his journey, which leads us to an obvious conclusion that frustratingly takes the front seat over any tense buildup or scares surrounding Sawtooth Jack. A few strong gore effects aren’t enough to make up for that.

Rating: 2/5

Dark Harvest hits select Alamo Drafthouse locations for one night only on October 11th, 2023, before it becomes available On Digital starting October 13th, 2023.

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