BEYOND THE GATES is an entertaining throwback to shot-on-video horror films of the past. Back in the heyday of mom and pop video stores, VHS reigned supreme and wild mavericks were committing some of the craziest shit you’ve ever seen to video - Including the infamous VHS board game, which is at the center of this film.
Estranged brothers Gordon (Graham Skipper) and John (Chase Williamson) find themselves reuniting at their father’s video store after he has mysteriously disappeared. He has been gone for seven months, and with little information as to his whereabouts, the two assume the worst and begin wrapping up the loose ends of his life, which includes cleaning out the store and boxing everything up. In the process, they come across an old VHS board game called Beyond the Gates in the store office. The tape is still in the VCR, which leads them to the conclusion that their father may have watched it just before his disappearance. Curiosity and a longing for a sense of closure lead them to give the game a whirl, which gives them a bit more than they bargained for.
Upon pressing Play, a strange and mysterious woman (Barbara Crampton) appears onscreen. Calling herself Evelyn, she provides a brief introduction to the game, and helps to kick everything off. The game itself plays like something of an evil Jumanji. The premise requires them to play and collect four keys to unlock the mysterious gates. This is easier said than done, as the game can influence the world around them (violently), and it quickly becomes clear that simply walking away isn’t an option. Additionally, Elaine promises that by collecting the four keys, they will learn the truth about their father's disappearance. The brothers realize that the only way forward it to finish the game and face whatever horrors lie at the finish line.
Crampton is both entrancing and menacing as the embodiment of the game itself. Evelyn watches the proceedings from inside the television, giving cryptic information and instructions whenever the group seems to get stuck and acting as an overseeing presence throughout the story. She is delightfully creepy, appearing as more than an image on the screen, and is closer to an all-seeing entity who knows exactly what is going on and how to manipulate it. She provides a wonderfully unsettling presence that permeates the entire story.
At the heart of the story is the brothers’ relationship and history with one another. After growing apart, Gordon became too straight-laced for his own good and John is barely keeping his life together. The pair have nothing in common, yet we sense a closeness that once existed but is now long gone, and part of the joy of this film is watching the two reconnect, despite the circumstances. The presence of Gordon's girlfriend, Margot (Brea Grant) is also a helpful addition, as she is able to bridge the brothers' past with whatever the future may hold, and provide another voice in the proceedings.
This film is a lot of fun. From the story, to the brothers’ relationship and journey together, to the crazy-entertaining throwback vibes, it’s really a blast to watch. Director Jackson Stewart displays a clear love for genre that is apparent from the get-go. BEYOND THE GATES is definitely one to check out.
