Two estranged brothers reunite at their missing father's video store to liquidate the property and sell off his assets. As they dig through the store, they find a VCR board game dubbed 'Beyond The Gates' that holds a connection to their father's disappearance and deadly consequences for anyone who plays it.
Director: Jackson Stewart; Writers: Stephen Scarlata, Jackson Stewart; Stars: Barbara Crampton, Brea Grant, Ryan Kunert
Beyond the Gates is an adventure horror movie that pays loving tribute to the VHS format, video stores, and board games of the 1980's era. You can't help but get a little nostalgic when you see the video store from hayday to when the boys are packing it into boxes. Ahh the days when you could find all those hidden gems in Mom and Pop video stores! These days the gems are hard to find unless you know the right people. Thankfully we do! Beyond the Gates looks and feels just like one of those little gems I would have rented just because I was a geek who loved independent horror films on VHS, no matter how bad they were. Also, despite a few issues I'll mention, Beyond the Gates isn't a bad movie.
Beyond the Gates is truly a horror lovers movie. It's like Dungeons and Dragons and Jumanji had a bastard child called Video Nasties (for some history on why VHS games check out this link). The boys father picked up one of these some years before and just recently decided to play it when he disappeared. Leaving a mystery and gory adventure to the depths of evil for them to explore in order to find him. Starring a Creepercsat favorite Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, We Are Still Here) as amazingly creepy video game gate keeper. Other than Barbara, Matt Mercer (Contracted, Contracted: Phase 2, The Mind's Eye) pulls off his part flawlessly and Graham Skipper (The Mind's Eye, Almost Human, Carnage Park) comes in a little short but still fits the bad 80's character perfectly. Brea Grant (Halloween II, Heroes) comes in as the super cool girlfriend with Justin Welborn (The Final Destination, The Crazies, The Signal) kills it as the loser friend. Finally we would be remiss in not paying homage to one of the best Harbingers you'll ever see in a film, Jesse Merlin (FDR: American Badass!, Helen Keller vs. Nightwolves).
Now I want to believe that the often moments of awkward staring wasn't because this these actors are bad, because they aren't. With the exception of Skipper being too monotonous and stiff at times I'm almost certain the awkwardness is by design, and it works. Especially when Barbara states out from the TV waiting for the guys to do what is expected of them. Absolutely enjoyed the truly interactive aspect of the video with the characters. The story line, once the concept of VHS gaming is explained to the uninitiated, is simple. Dad played the game and ended up in an alternate level of hell. His sons are forced to play the game in the hopes of finding and or freeing dad's soul. Everything that happens in the game is tied to real places, events and consequences. In the end a fractured family bond must be mended or all is lost. And yes, there will be blood.
Back to the little things... honestly the video did not look like old VHS. Though it was in black and white and washed out, it didn't have the usual and expected glitches and tape tracking issues. Though this may be a blessing of sorts, it is an expected effect that I'm afraid is lacking. Also, I kept wondering why they never tried rewinding the video. I mean, eventually the video takes over, starts interacting with the characters in real time, and won't be stopped, and yet no one tried to rewind it. Granted, by not going back on the tape they did keep the forward progression of the film going. Which is good thing since, like mentioned before, the awkward staring at each other made me wonder why someone didn't yell "LINE".
Despite the little things, Beyond the Gates is a perfect nostalgic trip to days long past. Barb Crampton, as always, is amazing. Mysterious happenings in real life are related to the game and have real consequences. The creepy owner of the antique shop (the Harbinger) is awesome comic relief. And before we go, there is a final scene after the credits, so read them!
Beyond the Gates is now available from Amazon and all other digital platforms.
