Beyond The Gates review: A fantastic blend of Jumanji and horror that reaps very entertaining results. Bring on the sequel!
Beyond The Gates review, Kat Hughes, Frightfest 2016.
Beyond the Gates Review
Estranged brothers Gordon (Graham Skipper) and Johnny (Chase Williamson) reunite seven months after the disappearance of their father. Having written him off as presumed dead the siblings are clearing out the family business, a video store, when they stumble across an interactive video board game called Beyond the Gates. Believing the game will bring some much needed fun, the duo plus Gordon’s girlfriend Margot (Brea Grant), decide to give it a whirl, but this is a game that won’t be stopped.
As the game progresses the brothers discover that the game has very real implications for those around them and worse still, it’s holding their father hostage. The only way out is to rescue their departed dad’s soul and finish the game.
Beyond the Gates Review
A film born into the wrong decade, Beyond the Gates has a very late eighties / early nineties vibe to it. It’s disarmingly charming and conjures up memories of The Twilight Zone and Eerie, Indiana with just a smattering of The Evil Dead. This by no means makes it dated, but rather emits a nostalgic aura that is impossible to ignore. There will of course be members of the audience that have no idea what a VHS or VCR are, but the rest of us remember them fondly. Those of us of a certain age grew up with VHS tapes, stores and games. This writer spent many an afternoon with friends playing all the variations of Atmosfear, Beyond the Gates offers an extreme version of this.
It’s not the inclusion of the sadly departed VHS tape that emits good memories. The whole film feels like it’s been lifted straight out of the late eighties / early nineties. Johnny’s wardrobe, the coat in particular, is straight out of the nineties, the visuals replicating well known genre films of the era. There’s dry ice oozing everywhere and the visual effects are suitably practical in nature. Shirking the CG enables the film to feel that extra bit more tangible.
Beyond the Gates Review
A video board game that is a literal gateway to Hell is only ever as good as the quiz-master and Beyond the Gates has enlisted royalty. Scream Queen Barbara Crampton makes an excellent dis-embodied head, guiding Gordon and John through the game. In order to progress to the next level they must unearth keys, but the keys have a more sinister charm to them. Combined with tarot-like cards the keys have an odd voodoo doll result on those around them. This really is a dangerous game, one which people actually are dying to play.
The dynamic between the two brothers is suitably awkward, the pair being variations on familiar stereotypes. Gordon’s the straight-lace, tee-total businessman, whilst John or Johnny is the perpetual waster, with no home or job to speak of. As always this dynamic works, and despite the horror of the rest of the film there’s a lot of heart and comedy to be found within their relationship.
A film that will induce a bout of nostalgia and mourning of the VHS era Beyond the Gates will become a cult classic for audiences of a particular age. It plays very much like an adult version of Jumanji or Zathura, but with a twisted horror spin. Ending with the perfect set-up for more movies, we’re ready for Beyond the Gates: The Harbingers Return whenever the filmmakers are.
Beyond the Gates forms part of this year’s Frightfest programme.
