Release Date: January 2, 2025 (Russia)
Country of Origin: United States
Language: English
Genre: Horror
Director: Kevin Lewis
Writers: Phil Claydon, Scott Windhauser
Production Companies: Blood Red Films, BondIt Media Capital
Story
A sinister legend haunts the people of Crestwood, a peaceful town. There is an old oak tree deep in the shadowy forest that is said to be cursed. A terrible fate awaits anyone who touches the tree, so goes the legend. A group of friends from high school—Amber Chase, Fletcher Wilson, Faye Parker, and Eli—decide to test the myth during a late-night party in the woods on the spur of the moment, disregarding these warnings.
Amber is the first among the others to reach out and touch the oak’s gnarled bark. However, no sooner are they gone than a strange wind howls through the forest and Eli appears out of nowhere. Unable to locate him, the group is left in shock and terror.
Amber discovers a peculiar, rapidly expanding rash on her palm where she touched the tree the following morning. Days later, the rash starts to take on the appearance of cursed oak bark, and she starts having horrifying visions of Eli pleading for aid. The gang must discover the oak tree’s mysteries and discover a means to lift the curse before it consumes them all after realizing they are all cursed.
The teenagers turn to Abe (Armand Assante), the town’s reclusive historian, who shares the dark history of the oak tree, including centuries-old tales of disappearances, insanity, and death. They learn that the tree is connected to an old ritual with the assistance of Detectives Mills (Lorenzo Antonucci) and Somers (Cindy Vela). To lift the curse, they must perform a risky and forbidden ceremony before the next full moon.
Friendships are put to the test as the curse grows stronger and the distinction between reality and a nightmare becomes more hazy. Knowing that a single mistake could mean the loss of another friend or, worse yet, their own lives, the group fights against time to save themselves.
Plot
A group of teenagers makes the decision to look into the spooky tales surrounding an ancient oak tree that stands ominously at the edge of Oak Hollow, a small, charming town. Locals refer to the tree as the “Cursed Oak” because of its eerie past filled with unexplained disappearances and weird happenings. The teens dare each other to touch the tree in defiance of the warnings, setting off a terrifying series of events. One of them disappears completely, and the other gets a dark rash on her palm that spreads and becomes its own thing. As fear and paranoia set in, the group realizes they are being pursued by a malevolent force connected to the tree. In a desperate battle for survival, they must uncover the truth behind the curse and find a way to break it before the ancient evil claims them all.
Cast
Catharine Daddario as Amber Chase
Amber is a fearless teenager who leads the group to the cursed oak tree. She must fight to uncover the mystery behind her friend’s disappearance and the strange rash on her palm.
Joey Lauren Adams as Mrs. Chase
Mrs. Chase is Amber’s concerned mother, who becomes increasingly worried as the events unfold.
Armand Assante as Abe
Abe is a local historian with knowledge of the oak tree’s dark history. He tries to warn the teenagers of the dangers but is dismissed as a madman.
Lorenzo Antonucci as Detective Mills
Detective Mills is investigating the strange disappearances in the town and starts uncovering the supernatural elements tied to the oak tree.
Cindy Vela as Detective Somers
Detective Somers is Detective Mills’ partner, skeptical of the supernatural theories but gradually convinced as the horrors unfold.
Hudson Thames as Fletcher Wilson
Fletcher is one of Amber’s friends, who dares her to touch the oak tree and mysteriously disappears afterward.
Maemae Renfrow as Faye Parker
Faye is another friend of Amber’s who gets a rash after touching the tree. Her condition rapidly deteriorates, leading to more sinister developments.
Roberto Portales as Teacher
The high school teacher who tries to maintain calm in the wake of the events but ends up being drawn into the nightmare.
Callum Vinson as Eli
Eli is a quiet, introverted student who joins the group out of curiosity and becomes vital in figuring out the curse.
Burns Burns as Nurse Kane
Nurse Kane is the school nurse who first notices the strange symptoms of Faye’s rash and suspects something beyond the natural.
Sierra Nowak as Maria Atkinson
Maria is another student who initially dismisses the curse but becomes a believer as events spiral out of control.
Lauren Daisy White as Eleanor ( as Lauren White)
Eleanor is the cautious friend who tries to avoid the tree but is inevitably dragged into the chaos.
Derek Severson as Teacher
Another high school teacher who plays a minor but crucial role in the plot.
Trenton Schillinger as Student
Trenton plays a minor role as one of the students in the school, providing background to the main story.
Max Davis as Reporter
The local news reporter covering the strange happenings in the town, inadvertently becoming part of the story.
Nicole Rodan as Principal
The high school principal trying to keep order amidst the growing panic.
Korin Stewart as Jessie
Jessie is another teenager who dares to touch the tree but suffers terrifying consequences.
Kat McLeod as Young Nurse Grey ( as a different name)
Young Nurse Grey is shown in flashbacks, giving insight into the history of the oak tree and the curse.
