Dark Harvest: Old Sawtooth Jack is gonna rise from the cornfields in the new trailer for David Slade’s new urban legend

Last Updated on September 29, 2023

A new urban legend comes to life in the new trailer for Dark Harvest. The trailer starts with the ominous, almost Grimm fairy tale-esque narration that says, “It’s Halloween. You know what that means. Old Sawtooth Jack is gonna rise from the cornfields. It’s gotta be stopped. Kill or be killed.” David Slade returns to a grittier tone after the Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night director took on one of the chapters in the Twilight franchise, helming The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. The director also returns to features after Slade tried his hand at television with Breaking Bad and Black Mirror. He also once set to make a series, Red Bird Lane, with Crispin Glover and Susan Sarandon until Max (HBO Max at the time) opted not to continue with it.

Slade has now adapted Norman Partridge’s Halloween-themed novel (you can pick up a copy of the book HERE) for the big screen. The horror film is a take-off of both small-town urban legends and the classic trope of a scarecrow coming to life and killing townspeople. There is a fun twist where the established monster is now being hunted by a small posse determined to end its reign.

The official synopsis of Dark Harvest from MGM reads,
“In a cursed town, the annual harvest becomes a brutal battle for survival. On Halloween 1963, Sawtooth Jack, a terrifying legend, rises from the cornfields, threatening the town’s children. Groups of boys unite to defeat the murderous scarecrow before midnight. Richie, a rebellious outcast, joins the run, motivated by his brother’s previous victory. As the hunt progresses, Richie makes a shocking discovery and faces a pivotal choice to break the relentless cycle.”

The new Halloween-themed film stars an ensemble of actors, including Casey Likes, E’myri Crutchfield, Dustin Ceithamer, Elizabeth Reaser, with Jeremy Davies. The executive producers of the film include Pamela Hirsch and Michael Gilio. Matt Tolmach and David Manpearl are also both on board as producers of this urban legend flick. In addition to executive producing, Michael Gilio had penned the screenplay based on the novel of the same name, which was written by Norman Partridge. Brian Reitzell is providing the music for the film.

Dark Harvest has been given an R rating for strong horror violence and gore, language and brief drug use.

Incidentally, there is another film titled Dark Harvest that will feature James Caan’s final performance which was also slated to release this year.

This Dark Harvest will be screening at Alamo Drafthouse one night only on October 11, then will be available on digital on October 13.