Cherry Tree

Faith is thrust into a crisis when her father falls gravely ill, and the world around her tilts toward fear. A magnetic field hockey coach named Sissy Young enters with warmth, guidance, and a motherly aura Faith never anticipated. Sissy is concealing a centuries-old coven that guards a secret tied to an ancient cherry tree, whose fruit is said to awaken life through a ritual. When Sissy offers a cure for Faith's father in exchange for Faith bearing a child, the teenager agrees in a desperate bid to save her dad. The bargain triggers a supernatural drift that reshapes Faith's body and blurs the line between protection and peril, setting a tense course for what lies ahead.

Directed by David Keating, Cherry Tree surfaced in 2015 as a compact British horror feature. The concept comes from Brendan McCarthy, blending folkloric witchcraft with modern family dread to frame a chilling bargain tale. Keating emphasizes mood over gore, using tight locations and restrained effects to keep the threat personal.

Box office data is not widely reported, reflecting the film's limited release and niche status within the horror landscape. It did find an audience among genre enthusiasts through festival screenings and later streaming, though it remains a modest performer.

The film adds a distinct flavor to its subgenre by tying a witchcraft plot to a domestic, motherly dynamic and a deadly bargain with a tree like no other. It may not spawn catchphrases, but it contributes to the conversation about female power in horror.

Reception across critics leaned toward mixed but appreciative notes for mood and Naomi Battrick's performance. Some reviewers praised the film's atmospheric visuals and the slow burn, while others argued the setup felt familiar and the pacing faltered at times. Thematically, Cherry Tree wrestles with sacrifice, maternal bonds, and the lure of immortality, testing loyalty within a fragile family unit.