Lionsgate has just unveiled the trailer for the dark thriller The Gates. It is a film that has taken on a deeply poignant meaning following the tragic passing of James Van Der Beek.
At just 48 years old, the “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues” icon lost his battle with cancer on February 11, 2026. He leaves behind an incredible legacy, a wife, and six kids. In one of his final screen performances, Van Der Beek delivers a chilling transformation, shedding his “boy next door” image to play a truly sinister villain.
What’s Behind The Gates?
The film follows three friends, Mason Gooding, Algee Smith, and Keith Powers. What starts as a road trip turns into a living nightmare. To avoid traffic, the trio takes a shortcut into a remote, gated community. However, things quickly go south when they accidentally witness a murder. The killer, the community’s “cunning patriarch,” a terrifying pastor played by Van Der Beek. The men find themselves locked behind the walls of the hostile neighborhood. Soon, they find themselves hunted by its residents. As the fight for survival unfolds, their friendship begins to fracture under the pressure.
A Final, Powerhouse Performance
Director John Burr’s thriller shows a side of Van Der Beek we’ve rarely seen. He plays a leader who holds the entire community under his thumb. His character, Jacob, is described as a “cunning patriarch” who is both manipulative and dangerous. It’s a heavy, high-stakes role that serves as a powerful final chapter for an actor who spent decades as a household name.
Coming Soon
The Gates is set to hit theaters on March 13, 2026, from Lionsgate. Check out the trailer below.
