Beyond the Gates

Beyond the Gates from 2016, directed by Jackson Stewart, is a horror film that delights with its blend of nostalgia, creepiness, and inventive storytelling. It stars Graham Skipper as John Hardesty, Chase Williamson as Gordon Hardesty, and Brea Grant as Margot.

The plot navigates the strange and sinister territories of a supernatural, life-sized VHS board game. The old-school VHS cassette plays a powerful role in bringing back the nostalgia of the '80s and '90s. The game, discovered by two estranged brothers, becomes their only chance to understand what happened to their missing father, once the owner of an old school video store.

After their father's unexplainable disappearance, brothers John and Gordon are begrudgingly brought together to clear out the content of their family's video store. During the tedious process of sifting through dusty tapes and old movie posters, the brothers unearth the peculiar, antique VHS board game, "Beyond the Gates".

Mystifyingly, the found board game seems to hold a deep connection to their father's disappearance. As curiosity gets the better of them, they begin to play the game with Gordon's girlfriend, Margot, only to find that this isn't some ordinary game. The complications are deepened when the game's ominous hostess, played by horror icon Barbara Crampton, pops out from the videotape. Her cold, threatening instructions and implications make it clear that failure to complete the game carries dire consequences.

Luring the watchful trio into an eerie world of intrigue and surrealism, the game gradually unfurls its uncanny influence over real life. The spine-chilling transitions from the black-and-white manifestation of reality on the VHS tape back to their actual existence crafts an atmosphere of dread that the characters are ensnared in. As they delve deeper into the game, they struggle to keep up with its escalating danger, questioning their sanity and reality.

Graham Skipper and Chase Williamson convincingly deliver the discomfort of siblings forced together under unfortunate circumstances, depicting their complicated relationship in a layered manner. Brea Grant, playing the role of the supportive girlfriend, pulls off an equally impressive performance. Barbara Crampton's depiction of the foreboding game hostess only adds more depth to the horror vibe of the movie.

Beyond the Gates incorporates a sense of vintage charm and nostalgic appeal by utilizing the '80s-style visual and audio effects. Its scorer, Wojciech Golczewski, deftly uses a synthesizer-based sound to take viewers back to the nostalgic times of the most iconic horror movies. The set design and color palette support the retro feel copiously, intensifying the horror feel, and making the movie a profound experience for the audience.

Beyond the Gates takes an interesting spin on the horror genre by blending it with elements of fantasy and suspense. It's a throwback to classic horror/suspense films, with its familiar pulse and rhythm that will remind audiences of the now-cult films it pays homage to. Alongside this, the movie speaks volumes about family relationships, adversities, and dynamics between siblings, making it not purely horror but also a story of love and bonding underneath it all.

The plot of Beyond the Gates is very tight, never letting the tension drop, and each scene serves to draw audiences into the brothers' unpredictable predicament. The plot pacing is well-maintained, letting the story unfold organically without losing sight of the horror elements. The cinematography elegantly captures the essence of the atmosphere and brings it to the screen.

For fans of psychological horror movies and those who appreciate nostalgic nods to the cult horror clasics of the '80s and '90s, Beyond the Gates serves up an enjoyable and thrilling viewing experience. However, the movie isn't merely limited to the realms of horror and suspense. The underlying theme of family ties, the strength of relationships, and resilience in the face of adversity bring depth to the narrative. It is a movie that appeals on multiple levels, guaranteeing the audience a thrilling story along with food for thought.

In summary, Beyond the Gates is a unique, nostalgic horror movie that brings a refreshing take to the genre filled with suspense, fantasy, family ties, threatening evil, and an unremitting sense of dread. It's a much-recommended watch for horror enthusiasts and lovers of ’80s and ’90s cinema.