Review: Beyond the Gates

(imdb.com)

There's no shortage of 80s-inspired horror movies. These retro films utilize all of the iconography and cinematography of classics like Nightmare on Elm Street, but when effective, also take on their own form. Movies like The House of the Devil, capitalize on horror fans yearning of a time more recently exchanged for glossed over and bland craftsmanship. The recent addition to Netflix, Beyond the Gates, attempts to further this trend with varied success.

On one hand, Beyond the Gates is a terrific movie with some small scares and a plot that ties movies like Jumanji with films like The Ring. On the other hand, Beyond the Gates is either too long of a film, given its lack of action for the first hour, or too short of a film, given the universe that could easily be expanded into a series. Regardless, there is should be enough content to maintain interest, if not complete intrigue.

Beyond the Gates follows a pair of brothers whose search for their father leads them to a VHS board game with a sinister past. Far too immersive and ultimately deadly, the game soon takes a horrific turn with all the fog and lighting of the 80s leading the way. Beyond the Gates stars horror icon, Barbara Crampton (We Are Still Here) as Evelyn, the video game's narrator, Chase Williamson (SiREN) and Graham Skipper (The Mind's Eye) as estranged brothers, John and the straight-laced Gordon, and Brea Grant as Margot (Halloween II). The acting varies in strength, mostly settling for acceptable if not always great. Skipper seems unsure of how to play his character realistically, sometimes coming across as a caricature, but together all of the cast hold up.

Beyond the Gates exists in a universe that feels much larger than its result. Between confusing demon-ghost grab scenes and a random mystery store, there is definitely a larger story that could have been built to keep the mythology more clear. Frankly, if the film had spent less time on their character's backstories, these issues may have been easily supplemented, but it's hard to tell. It's never actually bad though, so the film's positives easily keep it up to par. The 80s inspiration is clear throughout and there are a few jump scares that are definitely worthwhile. Plus, the use of a VHS board game is entertainment enough to suffice.

Beyond the Gates begins as a movie that seems better suited for a short or a student film fest entry, but slowly becomes an entertaining throwback of a movie with plenty of original storytelling to offer. It's definitely short, which helps move things along, but it does feel like some opportunities are missed in its attempt to maximize on the climax. 6 out 10.