James Van Der Beek plays a pastor with a terrifying secret in the first trailer for one of his final roles, horror film The Gates.
Lionsgate has released the first look at director John Burr’s thriller feature which will premiere on March 13 and stars Mason Gooding, Algee Smith, and Keith Powers as three friends who take a short cut home only to find themselves in a battle for survival when they witness a murder, and realize they are in a community run by a pastor, Jacob, with a strange hold over his flock.
Watch the trailer above.
“We were just trying to pass through, and we saw something, and now this psycho is after us,” Gooding is seen telling a potential good Samaritan in the trailer (played by Friday Night Lights’ Brad Leland.)
“That is my pastor, Jacob,” Brad can then be heard telling them.
“I have been called upon to lead this community, and those boys seek to destroy us,” James’ pastor later tells a member of the community before he tells Mason: “You understand now? Inside these gates, I am a God.”
© Penske Media via Getty ImagesDawson’s Creek star James passed away aged 48 on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in late 2023.
The news was announced by his family on Instagram. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come,” wrote his wife Kimberly.
“For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
The actor married Kimberly in 2010, and together they share children Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
Last September, the actor was due to make an appearance at a Dawson’s Creek reunion put together by much of the cast, spearheaded by Michelle Williams, but was unable to appear due to ill health.
Another of his final roles will be in the Prime Video series Elle, a prequel to Legally Blonde, which will drop on the platform in July.
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