Lionsgate Premiere Unveils Chilling Trailer for 'The Gates
The official trailer for the upcoming thriller The Gates
has been released, featuring the late James Van Der Beek in one of his final film roles. Released on February 18, 2026, just a week after the actor's passing, the footage showcases a sinister turn for the Dawson's Creek alum.
Synopsis: A Road Trip Gone Wrong
Directed by John Burr (Legend of the Muse), the film follows three college students—Derek (Mason Gooding), Kevin (Algee Smith), and Tyon (Keith Powers).
The Incident: During a road trip, the trio takes an ill-advised shortcut through a remote, elite gated community.
The Witness: Their journey turns into a nightmare when they witness a murder committed by the community's charismatic but dangerous patriarch, Pastor Jacob (Van Der Beek).
The Trap: Once the gates lock, the friends find themselves trapped and hunted by the suspicious residents who are under the pastor's psychological influence.
The Final Performance of James Van Der Beek
Van Der Beek, who passed away on February 11, 2026, at age 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer, delivers what critics are already calling one of his most terrifying performances. In the trailer, his character chillingly proclaims, "I have been called upon to lead this community, and those boys seek to destroy us. Find them, and let God’s will be done".