Set your calendars for a Friday the 13th fright. Director John Burr is bringing the high-stakes horror thriller The Gates to limited theaters on March 13, 2026. The film stars a powerhouse trio of young talent: Mason Gooding, Algee Smith, and Keith Powers. They play college friends who find themselves in the ultimate nightmare after witnessing a murder they were never supposed to see.

The story follows the group as they become trapped within a remote, high-end gated community. What starts as a terrifying crime scene quickly turns into a lethal hunt, as the friends are chased through the exclusive enclave. Fans are particularly eager to see James Van Der Beek in a rare villainous turn. He plays Pastor Jacob, a sinister figure looming over the community who is determined to keep its secrets buried at any cost.

Sources like Collider and MovieWeb note that this project marks one of Van Der Beek’s final on-screen appearances following his recent health disclosures. The film is set for a strategic release during the second Friday the 13th of the year. With a focus on claustrophobic tension and a script by Burr, The Gates aims to deliver a fresh, terrifying take on the "trapped in paradise" subgenre this spring.