Beyond the Gates (2016)

Two estranged brothers reunite at their missing father's video store and find a VCR board game dubbed 'Beyond The Gates' that holds a connection to their father's disappearance.

Review

From 2016, Beyond the Gates is the most 80's horror movie I've seen in some time. Writer and director Jackson Stewart (feature debut) has created something that is fantastic to behold - at least for me. I'm well aware that the film preys on my nostalgia somewhat, and that others may not enjoy the film as much as me. For example, if you don't know what a VCR board game is - or a VCR, come to that - then some of the finer points of the plot may be hard to follow. That said, it's still well worth watching.

With a brief intro in the 80's and a family opening a video store, we jump to the present, where the boys of the flashback, all grown up, have returned to the family business where their father disappeared some months ago. From there, we have a demonic board game, 80's icon Barbara Crampton, and blood. So much blood. The plot of the film is fairly simple, with a heavy Jumanji meets Evil Dead vibe, which is unsurprisingly fun to watch. The ending is satisfying, and all around the film works on a base level.

The acting is good, with the three leads, Graham Skipper (Space Clown), Chase Williamson (John Dies at the End), and Brea Grant (After Midnight) doing a good job.

It's a one of the fun crowd of horror films, with little in the way of scary per se, but it is a great watch. The FX on show are all practical, and there are buckets of blood. There is something visceral about practical effects.

Definitely one to watch.