Official synopsis
After suffering a devastating loss, grief-stricken arborist Ellie and her son Wyatt are hired by mysterious recluse Arthur Randolph to fell the trees in part of his vast, remote estate. As Wyatt starts showing signs of erratic behavior and falls prey to creature hallucinations, a past tragedy reveals itself, a haunting awakens, and Arthur discloses the real reason he hired them.
Review
Writer/director Andrew Mudge’s The Arborist deftly blends supernatural and psychological horror. The film is a fine modern spin on classic gothic horror involving ghosts, long buried secrets, and grief.
Lucy Walters is terrific as single mother Ellie, who found her youngest child dead in her crib. Now-teen son Wyatt (Hudson West) reluctantly accompanies her to the isolated estate of Arthur Randolph (Will Lyman), who has hired Lucy to fell trees for firewood, which is far below her skill level. Nevertheless, she needs the money and takes the job, and she and Wyatt immediately find odd and unsettling things in the woods.
Mudge gives viewers plenty of time to get to know the characters before he ramps up the mysteries. The film is well paced as it slowly unveils its secrets, and there are plenty of them. The mansion and its surroundings are a perfect gothic fright-fare setting, and Cinematographer Dan Kennedy captures the eerie proceedings wonderfully.
In addition to Walters, Lyman is super in his supporting role as the estate owner, and West is solid as the troubled teenager. Each actor lends the proper amount of gravity to their role.
The film also adds a touch of folk horror and body horror elements. Recommended for scare-fare fanatics of all stripes, and especially those who appreciate dread and creepiness over loud jump scares.
The Arborist, from Dark Sky Films, is available on Digital Platforms from February 6, 2026.
