The Curse of Bridge Hollow

The Curse of Bridge Hollow 2022

Directed by

Jeff Wadlow

Jeff Wadlow

Made by

Netflix

Netflix

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


When the Gordon family relocates from the bustling streets of Brooklyn to the quaint little town of Bridge Hollow, they quickly discover that this new place has a rather peculiar obsession with Halloween. Their daughter, Syd, is mesmerized by the festivities, while her father, Howard Gordon, a scientist with little patience for such frivolities, finds himself quite disturbed by the whole idea. As Syd becomes engrossed in her new surroundings, she stumbles upon the Paranormal Society at her school. To her surprise, they inform her that their new residence has a haunted reputation, which heightens her curiosity and causes tension with her skeptical father.

In the spirit of the Halloween season, Emily Gordon, Howard’s supportive wife, decides to whip up some vegan snacks for the local Stingy Jack festival, while Syd enthusiastically adorns their home with decorations. However, the situation takes a strange turn when Syd accidentally ignites a mysterious lantern she found. To her shock and delight, the family’s decorations come to life and begin fluttering about. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Syd learns from an elderly woman in a nursing home—who happens to be a descendant of the spirit that originally died in their house—that lighting the lantern releases the infamous Stingy Jack. The legend states that he will claim a soul at the stroke of midnight to replace him.

Eager to solve this peculiar mystery, Syd reunites with her friends from the Paranormal Society. She recounts the astonishing events that have unfolded, and together, they discover that a town resident possesses a vital page torn from a spell book that may hold the key to trapping Jack once more. To their shock, they find out that this person is none other than their own school principal. Despite facing more of Stingy Jack’s chaotic minions, the group valiantly presses forward to a crypt, seeking the incantation from the original owner of the spell book—itself a ghost who happens to haunt Syd’s new home.

As the Paranormal Society and the principal head to the town square to thwart the mayhem unleashed by the animated decorations, Syd and Howard come to a startling realization: Emily has abandoned the festival and returned home, putting the lantern at risk. Rushing back, they find Stingy Jack threatening Emily, mistaking her for the one who unleashed him and, therefore, the one whose soul he intends to claim. In a desperate attempt to save her, Howard repeatedly tries the incantation but falls short. It’s not until Syd encourages him to truly believe in the magic that things begin to change. Finally, channeling belief into his voice, Howard utters the incantation with conviction, successfully banishing Jack and returning the decorations to their inanimate state.

In the aftermath of their harrowing night, the family emerges forever changed. Howard’s views on Halloween soften, embracing the joy it brings to his family. Syd embraces her newfound passion and becomes a member of the Paranormal Society, while Emily embraces a new philosophy on life and starts baking treats that aren’t vegan, declaring, “you only live once.” The odd adventures of the Gordon family in Bridge Hollow leave behind a trail of acceptance, bravery, and a newfound appreciation for the magic of Halloween.

Timeline

Track the key events of The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Moving to Bridge Hollow

The Gordon family relocates from Brooklyn to the small town of Bridge Hollow. This change of environment sparks excitement in daughter Syd, while her scientist father, Howard, feels contempt for the town's Halloween obsession.

Bridge Hollow

Discovering the Haunted House

Upon settling into their new home, Syd learns from her new school's Paranormal Society that their house has a reputation for being haunted. This revelation adds an element of intrigue to Syd's new life in Bridge Hollow.

Syd's new house

Emily's Halloween Spirit

Despite Howard's disdain for Halloween, Emily gets into the spirit by preparing vegan snacks for the town's Stingy Jack festival. Meanwhile, Syd eagerly decorates their new home for the festive occasion, hoping to embrace local traditions.

Bridge Hollow

The Lantern's Power

Syd accidentally lights a mysterious lantern she discovered, which unleashes the family's Halloween decorations to come to life. This unexpected event marks the beginning of the family's supernatural troubles in Bridge Hollow.

Syd's home

Meeting the Descendant

Syd learns about the lantern's dangerous power from an elderly woman in a nursing home, a direct descendant of the spirit who once lived in their house. She warns Syd and Howard that the lantern releases Stingy Jack, who demands a soul at midnight to replace him.

Nursing Home

Finding the Spell Book Page

At school, Syd shares her worries with the Paranormal Society, who uncover that a town resident possesses a torn page from a spell book. This page is key to re-trapping Stingy Jack inside the lantern.

School

Confronting the Principal

The Paranormal Society tracks down the person with the spell book page, only to discover it belongs to their principal. After a surprising encounter, they must fend off some of Stingy Jack's minions that threaten their safety.

Principal's office

Journey to the Crypt

To retrieve the necessary incantation, the group ventures to a crypt, which houses the ghost of the original owner of the spell book. This ghost offers crucial insights that could help them combat the threat looming over Bridge Hollow.

Crypt

Race Against Time

As chaos erupts with Halloween decorations attacking the town, Syd and Howard realize that Emily is left vulnerable at home with the lantern. They rush back, determined to save her and stop Stingy Jack before it's too late.

Syd's home

Stingy Jack's Threat

Upon arriving home, Howard and Syd discover that Stingy Jack is threatening Emily’s life. He mistakenly believes she has taken the lantern and that her soul is the one needed to fulfill his curse.

Syd's home

The Incantation Challenge

Howard struggles to successfully recite the incantation that will bind Stingy Jack, as Jack attempts to take Emily away. With Syd's encouragement, Howard finally believes in the spell, empowering its effectiveness.

Syd's home

Banishing Stingy Jack

With newfound belief, Howard completes the incantation and succeeds in banishing Stingy Jack back to the lantern. The tumultuous decorations fall still, returning to normal as peace is restored to the town.

Syd's home

A Changed Outlook

Following their nerve-wracking ordeal, Howard starts to appreciate Halloween, shedding his earlier disdain. Syd officially joins the Paranormal Society, embracing her newfound thrill, while Emily decides to bake regular treats, declaring the philosophy of 'you only live once.'

Bridge Hollow

Characters

Meet the characters that bring The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Howard Gordon (Marlon Wayans)

Howard is the skeptical father of the Gordon family who has a scientific approach to life and is initially disgusted by Halloween. As the story unfolds, he confronts his fears and learns to embrace the holiday's spirit through his daughter's enthusiasm. His character growth is a focal point, showing how love for family can transform one's perspective.

👨‍👧 Family Man ⚗️ Scientist

Syd Gordon (Priah Ferguson)

Syd is the adventurous and curious daughter who finds excitement in the town's Halloween customs. Joining the Paranormal Society, she takes the lead in uncovering the town’s spooky secrets. Her bravery and determination drive the plot forward as she rallies her family and friends to confront the challenges posed by Stingy Jack.

🎃 Adventurous 👩‍👧 Inspired

Emily Gordon (Kelly Rowland)

Emily is the warm and supportive mother who balances the family's needs with her love for Halloween traditions. She provides a sense of comfort and stability, encouraging her family to embrace their new surroundings. Through her character, the theme of nurturing and community involvement is highlighted.

🍰 Nurturer 🎉 Community

Setting

Uncover the settings of The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The movie takes place in contemporary times, during the Halloween season. This period is characterized by the celebration of Halloween, where communities come together to engage in festivities, decorations, and storytelling about local legends and ghosts. It reflects modern society's fascination with supernatural themes, particularly around this festive time of year.

Location

Bridge Hollow

Bridge Hollow is a quaint small town known for its vibrant Halloween celebrations and a deep-rooted community obsession with the holiday. The town’s charm lies in its colorful decorations and unique events, like the Stingy Jack festival, which draw in locals and newcomers alike. It serves as the backdrop for the Gordon family's adventures filled with supernatural elements.

🏡 Small Town 🎃 Halloween

Themes

Explore the core themes of The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


👻

Family Bonding

The film explores the dynamics of the Gordon family as they adapt to their new life and embrace the Halloween traditions of Bridge Hollow. Through their challenges with the supernatural, they learn the importance of working together and supporting one another. Ultimately, their experiences during Halloween serve to strengthen their family bonds.

🎃

Acceptance

A central theme of acceptance is portrayed through Howard's journey from skepticism to embracing Halloween. Initially repulsed by the holiday, his experiences force him to reconsider his views, illustrating that understanding and acceptance can lead to personal growth. This theme resonates strongly as Syd combats the supernatural and learns to cherish her new community.

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