The Gates [2026] – Movie Review (3/5)

THE GATES is a thriller that plays out more like an actual horror story for the three main characters. It has a few solid twists and turns along the way, and it was very entertaining. Also, this became the last role James Van Der Beek played, and the movie is lovingly dedicated to him. Read our full The Gates movie review here!

THE GATES may be labeled as a thriller, but its release on a Friday the 13th should give you an indication that it covers more than this one genre. In fact, it played out a lot like a horror movie. At least to the three main characters, going through a waking nightmare as the plot progresses. Also, one could even argue that it manages some dark comedy and social commentary satire.

Fans of everything from Get Out to Antebellum, or even Midsommar, should enjoy this movie. Or “enjoy” is not the best word, but I would expect genre fans to find it entertaining… and terrifying. Also, the runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes works well, and nothing drags on for too long. Well, it does for the characters trying to survive, but not for the audience.

Continue reading our The Gates movie review below. Find it in theaters on Friday the 13th of March, 2026.

The horror of a gated community

In The Gates, we follow three black college students as they drive to a party and take a wrong turn. Classic horror movie mistake. I mean, there’s an entire horror movie franchise called Wrong Turn for a reason. In any case, we’re along for the ride on this nightmarish night with Derek (Mason Gooding), Kevin (Algee Smith), and Tyon (Keith Powers).

In an effort to avoid terrible traffic, they opt for a shortcut through a remote gated community. This is an affluent and (almost exclusively) white neighborhood, so they stand out pretty quickly, and want to leave. Unfortunately, getting in was a lot easier than getting out.

Mostly because they’ve just witnessed a murder, and the killer saw them. Now, the three friends are a liability and need to be eliminated. It’s not difficult to convince others that these three young, black men are dangerous, so they are blamed and hunted immediately.

Stick together or die apart

To make matters worse, they have very different belief systems. One of them is very used to being judged by the color of his skin, while another still believes most people are inherently good and will judge him by the content of his character. He puts his proverbial best foot forward and expects to be met with an open mind.

And how does that go?!

Well, if you think any positive indications will last long, then you must have forgotten that this is a thriller (which feels like a horror story). Also, it’s getting its theatrical release on a Friday the 13th.

Final role of James Van Der Beek in The Gates

In his final role, before his all too early death, James Van Der Beek (Bad Hair) delivers a strong portrayal of a real creep. A man of faith, who believes mostly in covering his own behind.

In this role as the perpetrator trying to catch the three witnesses, James Van Der Beek is able to switch between his trademark charm and pure terror. It’s not the most positive role, obviously, but it is an important one, and he does a great job. And yes, the three main characters are also very strong in their portrayals. Even if they do have to (initially) be either quite naive or jaded in their approach.

Watch The Gates (2026) in theaters this Friday the 13th

John Burr is the writer and director of The Gates. Previously, John Burr wrote and directed the genre-mix movie Muse (2017). While horror fans at large may relate this experience to that of the main characters in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or The Cabin in the Woods, I hope most of us can also recognize the very relevant and real racial element of the story.

Yes, you can enjoy it “simply” as a story about three young men trying to survive a bad situation, where a crazy killer is after them. However, that makes it sound like a very generic genre production, and I think The Gates offers more than that. And I applaud it for this. We’ve had lots of movies about rednecks and hillbillies being dangerous, but affluent neighborhoods can be just as scary!

I was a fan of this movie for the simple reason that it is very relatable. Yes, even to me as a white European-born woman. I know when I need to be careful, and I absolutely recognize that for anyone of color, there are situations that are dire to them. Not just for anyone, but specifically for them. I would hope (and expect) that, at the very least, most women could relate to this?!

The Gates (2026) is out In Theaters on March 13, 2026.

Details

Director: John Burr
Writer: John Burr
Cast: Mason Gooding, Algee Smith, Keith Powers, James Van Der Beek