Dark Harvest is a 2023 horror film directed by David Slade, adapted from the 2007 novel of the same name by Norman Partridge. The film is set in a small rural town during the 1960s, where an eerie and violent tradition takes place every year on Halloween night.
The story revolves around a supernatural entity known as “Sawtooth Jack” or “October Boy,” a grotesque figure with a pumpkin for a head who rises from the cornfields and embarks on a killing spree. Every year, the teenage boys of the town participate in a deadly hunt to stop Sawtooth Jack before he reaches the church by midnight. The boy who kills the creature wins the prize of leaving the oppressive town for a better life.
The protagonist, Richie Shepard, dreams of escaping the stifling small town and sees this dangerous ritual as his only way out. However, as Richie and his friends confront Sawtooth Jack, they uncover the horrifying truth behind the town’s dark tradition and the sinister forces that control it.
Dark Harvest is praised for its mix of folk horror, coming-of-age themes, and the way it builds a suspenseful and eerie atmosphere. With its period setting, haunting visuals, and brutal tension, the film captures the violent rituals and societal pressure that define the lives of the characters, while also delivering intense supernatural scares.
