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‘The Gates’ Opens, Showcasing James Van Der Beek’s Final, Against‑Type Performance

Early reviews commend the acting, citing sluggish pacing plus familiar plotting.

Overview

  • The Lionsgate Premiere release opened in theaters March 13 following the actor’s death in February.
  • The thriller follows three young Black men trapped inside a largely white Texas gated community after witnessing a violent crime, with Van Der Beek playing a charismatic pastor antagonist.
  • Critics single out Van Der Beek’s soft‑spoken menace and note strong work from Mason Gooding.
  • Reviews frequently fault the film’s pacing and predictability, describing tension that plateaus rather than escalates.
  • The film carries an on‑screen dedication to Van Der Beek, and director John Burr says the production was unaware of his illness during filming.