Two estranged brothers, ex-alcoholic Gordon (Graham Skipper) and slacker John (Chase Williamson), are brought back together to box up their father’s old VHS rental store.  They find a VHS board game called Beyond The Gates and they decided to start playing it with Gordon’s girlfriend, but they soon find the game has deadly consequences and they must finish the game if they’re to survive.

 

BEYOND THE GATES is an ode to 1980s horror movies with a callback to the once popularity of VHS/ DVD board games.  Barbara Crampton is the latest iconic horror as the creepy sexy blond on the VHS tape giving game instructions and clues.   The music gives the 1980s horror movie vibe too and it would be the type of horror movie I would rent on VHS back in the early 1990s. Director/ Co-writer Jackson Stewart has created a fun and tense horror movie that doesn’t overstay its welcome and I would welcome a sequel with other characters (with a  different ending and fate for the people who play the game next time around).

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Three audio commentaries with various members of cast and crew

 

Behind-The-Scenes faturette with behind-the-scenes footage and cast and crew interviews

Two deleted scenes rightfully cut from the movie

 

Cast and crew Q&A (after a screening of the movie) with moderator Stuart Gordon which is interesting to watch, but I wish the sound was better.

 

Theatrical trailer and a fun retro Beyond The Gates VHS board game commercial

 

FINAL ANALYSIS: BEYOND THE GATES is a creepy throwback horror movie.  It made me think of the 1980s and 1990s horror movies I used to rent on VHS.  Highly recommended

 

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