'The Gates' is our last 8 hours with Van Der Beek and they're worth every second
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
ATLANTA, ga. (Mar. 12, 2026) -- For audiences hitting theaters this week to see The Gates, It’s hard to believe that metaphorically, these may be the last 8 hours the world will get to spend with Actor James Van Der Beek; The 48-year-old, popularly known for his role as Dawson in Dawson’s Creek, passed away last month after battling colorectal cancer… but not before leaving us with a powerful final screen performance.
If I had to describe the film to potential viewers using only the titles of other film projects, I’d say it’s a cross between Get Out, The Purge, and Sinners.
The thriller, directed by John Burr, kicks off in the middle of a heated
standoff before traveling back in time to eight hours earlier.
Three young men, Tyon, Derek and Kevin (Keith Powers, Mason Gooding, and Algee Smith), find themselves in heavy traffic on the way to a party and attempt to take a shortcut through a gated community. While behind the gates, they witness a murder, realize their cultural differences make them an easy target for neighbors to deem them responsible, and quickly begin fighting to save their own lives.
Derek (Mason Gooding) emerges
as the logical, level-headed friend, though a few blind spots leave him holding onto a sense of hope that can feel almost naïve as the night unfolds. Kevin (Algee Smith) brings a layer of unpredictability that keeps viewers on edge as tensions escalate, while Tyon (Keith Powers) carries an ongoing vulnerability that softens the trio’s journey as they fight to survive the night.
Van Der Beek appears in the film as a highly-respected pastor, but a twist pushes him and long-time fans into new territory as he embodies a darker persona than we’ve seen with past roles.
There’s a balance between its thrills, underlying themes and flashes of relatable humor in moments where viewers find themselves imagining how they would react in the characters’ shoes.
The growing paranoia and utopian ideals of a perfect neighborhood mirrors that of The Purge. While, the film’s exploration of race and power dynamics echoes the cultural commentary that made Get Out an easy conversation starter for weeks after its viewing.
The deeper themes of faith, morality and intention echo the spiritual symbolism seen in Sinners.
In the end, The Gates takes viewers on a ride that proves to be more than just a thriller and serves as a memorable final chapter in Van Der Beek’s on-screen legacy.
The Gates is in theaters March 13.
Comments