The Gates

When I stumbled upon the 2023 horror/thriller "The Gates" here in 2024 and seeing that it had Richard Brake on the cast list, then there was no doubt about me sitting down to watch it.

Writers Tim Reynolds and Stephen Hall, with the latter also being the director of the movie, put together an enjoyable supernatural thriller with a good storyline. The storyline included the creation of the EVP (Electrical Voice Phenomena), which was a nice touch. It is an atmospheric thriller, where the writers gradually builds up the suspense and piles up elements of a supernatural dread.

Something that worked against the movie was the pacing of the narrative, because it was rather slow and bland at times, without much of anything thrilling or exciting happening, and that made sitting through 111 minutes of the movie somewhat of an ordeal at times. So either a more round-handed trim in the editing or a more spruced-up storyline would have served the movie well.

The acting performances in the movie were good from the entire cast ensemble, and with the likes of John Rhys-Davies and Richard Brake at the helm, then you're in capable hands. Richard Brake brought his usual devilish charm and sinister charisma, while John Rhys-Davies brought a level of class and Shakespearian atmosphere to the movie. Michael Yare (playing Lucian Abberton) and Elena Delia (playing Emma Wickes) definitely put on good performances as well.

The colors and lighting used throughout the course of the movie were definitely enhancing the atmosphere of the movie tremendously, making it seem and feel like a distinct 1890-period set movie. As did the wardrobe, sets and props department, I liked that level of dedication to making the movie feel authentic. It worked marvelously in favor of the overall feel of the movie.

While "The Gates" certainly is a watchable movie, I was expecting a bit more from a movie with Richard Brake and John Rhys-Davies. And I have to admit that this is not a movie that I will be returning to watch a second time, because the storyline just doesn't have the contents to support more than a single viewing.

My rating of director Stephen Hall's 2023 movie "The Gates" lands on a five out of ten stars. It was as if the movie buckled in under its own ambition to deliver more than director Stephen Hall could muster.

Don't buy all these fake reviews on here. This is one of the most boring, drawn out, tiring films I've ever seen. I couldn't get past 1 hour 20 minutes. It's literally a bunch of people dressed in period piece costumes in an old prison discussing some ghost.

I fell asleep twice trying to get through it and just gave up. All these 8 or 7 reviews are completely fake. I couldn't spend one more minute watching this thing. It's just that boring and drawn out. Why is every scene just boring dialogue? If you like falling asleep on your couch while trying to get through a 2 hour movie then this is for you!!! 2/10.

One known name to head the poster: Check!

Found old prison to serve as the place where to shoot almost the entire movie: Check!

Apart from above everything about this movie is awful. Terribly awful. Oh, apart from the mass murderer, because he was actually kind of cool.

This movie reminds me of a too long and drawn out episode of some campy Sherlock Holmes episode for teenagers. Everything, apart from maybe the first two minutes, is absolutely wrong. Which is quite interesting in a way. Did they use some other director for the first two minutes, I wonder, because the first two minutes were actually dark and bloody. Immediately after that everything turned horribly boring with a horribly boring script and cast.

Throughout most of the performance, we watch the characters gracefully move around the stage, creating an exciting spectacle. The climax gradually grows closer to the finale, attracting our attention with the supernatural frenzy of an unsettled spirit belonging to an evil sorcerer. Out of nowhere, as if materializing from another world, the character "Maria" suddenly appears - why and for what purpose?... The humorous situation develops as rapidly as it ends :) But why was this introduced, you ask? :) - I don't know either :))) The otherworldly manifestation causes a whirlwind of demonic fun - a flickering light bulb built into a musical instrument turns out to be a powerful magical force :)))))) - hands grab the viewer's face, leaving him puzzled. What's going on here? - Even I ask myself this question with good reason :)))) Finally, the climax comes - a confrontation with a vile sorcerer. The characters use a glowing light bulb inside a musical instrument, and thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the actors, this brings wonderful "fruits" - the absurdity ends the performance, leaving the curtain down and not saying goodbye, subtly hinting at a future sequel. :)))) Admittedly, this scenario was conceived by artificial intelligence - I have no other explanation.

I'm honestly not sure what people don't like about this movie.

Because it is pretty damn good!

It's a period piece, that takes place in the late stages of the 19th century.

In a prison that has been cursed- and is haunted- by a satanic serial killer, who was caught, and put to death, prior to bringing his nefarious goals to fruition.

We find ourselves watching as a priest, ghostbusting expert, and two fledgling paranormal investigators, attempt to confront the demon, with hope they can get rid of the dark entity once and for all- using a combination of spiritual and scientific techniques.

So that it can't attach itself to someone, and escape the confines of the prison walls.

The demonic ghost of the killer has a sort of Exorcist meets Evil Dead vibe.

While the film, as a whole, is like a more dramatic version of Ghostbusters.

Either way...I thought that it was both well done, and highly entertaining!

Though, perhaps it's not what some people were looking for, or expecting.

That being said...it does seem to set itself up for a sequel.

So, if you liked it as much as I did.

You have that to look forward to, in the future.

A solid supernatural thriller, all around.

6 out of 10.