Cherry Tree

What would you do if you were given the chance to save a dying loved one?

This and a few other dilemmas come up in the new Dark Sky Films thriller "Cherry Tree," a welcome relief from the spate of zombie, slasher, and ghost horror films that inundate the genre. The Irish filmed feature has a devilish coven of witches the like of which we've not seen since season three of "American Horror Story"; they worship at the altar of a life-saving cherry tree.

The appropriately named character of Faith (Naomi Battrick) in "Cherry Tree" isn't the most popular gal in school. She's tormented by her soccer team, yet still has boys after her, most notably Brian (Patrick Gibson). Faith's dad (Sam Hazeldine) has terminal leukemia, adding to her stress.

The school's new soccer coach (Caroline Murphy) just happens to be the head of a centuries-old witches' coven. When she offers to cure Faith's father in return for a newborn baby, Faith can't refuse -- but soon she discovers she will be giving birth to the devil.

With plot devices taken from the classics "Rosemary's Baby," "Carrie," and even "The Coven," this VOD film isn't all that original, and it doesn't have a funny bone to tickle throughout its 85-minute running time. The exception comes in the very last line and frame of "Cherry Tree," the only drawback to a mostly satisfying horror film.

Acting is on par with other movies of its genre and, specifically, Battrick shows the most promise as a lead actress.

Dark Sky, you've released another horror winner. Keep 'em coming.