Thriller movie The Gates, friends trapped with Mason Gooding and James Van Der Beek

The Gates, the movie’s plot

The Gates is the thriller movie coming out. Derek (Mason Gooding), Kevin (Algee Smith), and Tyon (Keith Powers) are three college students: they decide to take a shortcut through a gated and isolated community during a car trip.

What was supposed to be a quick passage transforms into a deadly trap when they witness a murder. Trapped behind the gates, the three boys find themselves accused of the very crime they witnessed. Over the course of one night, they are hunted by the community’s residents. The real danger, however, is Jacob (James Van Der Beek), a sinister patriarch who exercises total influence over the community.

“I was called to lead this community” says Jacob in the released trailer, “and those boys are trying to destroy us.” Later, pointing a gun at the trio, he adds: “You’ve seen what happens when people get in my way.”

Then the three try to escape: “I think we’re stuck here” says one of them. “You’ve seen what happens when people get in my way?” Jacob sentences to Derek.

The Gates, the movie’s cast

Mason Gooding is in theaters with Scream 7, and has acted in Heart Eyes and in episodes of Love, Victor. Algee Smith is known for his role in the series Euphoria.

Keith Powers has worked in The Tomorrow War with Chris Pratt; James Van Der Beek - who passed away in February 2026 - was an interpreter of Sidelined 2: Intercepted and of the series Overcompensating and Walker.

The direction is by John Burr, who has already directed Legend of the Muse. Director John Burr shared on Collider a tribute to the deceased actor: “Although he is no longer with us, his energy seems to still live on, bringing us all together again, inspiring us to live life as he did.”

The Gates, the production and shooting of the movie

The production is by Indy Entertainment & Core 4 Films. The movie comes out in American theaters on March 13, 2026.