Lionsgate Premiere is bringing a new specialty thriller to the big screen. The studio has set March 13, 2026 for the selective theatrical release of The Gates, the latest film from writer-director John Burr.
The film stars Mason Gooding, Algee Smith, Keith Powers, and James Van Der Beek in a tense, socially grounded thriller that unfolds over the course of a single harrowing night.
The Gates follows three college friends—Derek, Kevin, and Tyon—whose road trip takes a terrifying turn after they cut through a secluded, gated community and witness a murder. Trapped behind the neighborhood’s walls, the trio becomes the target of suspicion, paranoia, and an escalating manhunt. As fear closes in, their friendships splinter along lines of belief, identity, and trust in authority.
At the center of the community is a chilling antagonist played by Van Der Beek, described as both magnetic and menacing—a patriarch whose influence keeps the neighborhood firmly under his control.
For Burr, The Gates is deeply personal. Drawing from his own upbringing, the filmmaker explores how race, perception, and privilege shape the way people experience danger and authority. The result is a genre film that pairs propulsive suspense with pointed social commentary, continuing the thematic work he began with his debut feature, Muse.
The film is produced by Nancy Leopardi (Indy Entertainment), Ross Kohn (Core 4 Films), and Gary Glushon, with executive producers including Michael Cassutt, John Harris, J. Todd Harris, Kamala Avila-Salmon, Arlie Day, Mike Page, Andy Dube, Courtney Henggeler, Eric Belgau, Damian Horan, David Gendron, Ali Jazayeri, Viviana Zarragoitia, and Gooding.
Production was supported by the Oklahoma Film & Music Incentive and the Cherokee Film Incentive, with Rebellium Films overseeing physical production and financing provided by TPC.
With its mix of psychological tension, social insight, and a rising cast led by Gooding, Smith, and Powers, The Gates positions itself as a timely thriller designed to linger long after the credits roll.