Trailer Drops for James Van Der Beek's Final Film
Trailer for The Gates precedes its March 13 theatrical release and follows Van Der Beek’s Feb. 11 death, with the late actor starring as a murderous pastor.
Overview
The trailer for The Gates was released and the film is set to hit theaters on March 13, making it one of James Van Der Beek’s final film roles.
In the R-rated thriller Van Der Beek plays Pastor Jacob, who hunts three young Black men after they witness him commit a murder in a gated community.
Director John Burr said the production was "incredibly fortunate" to work with Van Der Beek and praised his energy and relationships with cast and crew.
Following Van Der Beek’s Feb. 11 death at 48, a fundraiser for his family gathered roughly $2 million to $2.7 million, according to reports.
Van Der Beek will also recur in the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle, which is slated to premiere on July 1.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this story neutrally: reporting basic plot facts, release details, and quoted tributes without using partisan language. They rely on source content (director statements and trailer description), avoid evaluative framing, and include relevant context like Van Der Beek’s other projects — focusing on informational, descriptive coverage rather than a specific narrative.
Sources (4)
FAQ
The film follows three college students—Derek, Kevin, and Tyon—on a road trip gone wrong, where they witness Pastor Jacob commit a murder in a gated community and become hunted by him.
James Van Der Beek stars as Pastor Jacob, a murderous pastor who hunts three young Black men after they witness his crime.[2]
The film is set to hit theaters on March 13.[1]
James Van Der Beek passed away on February 11 at age 48, prompting a fundraiser for his family that raised $2 million to $2.7 million.
Van Der Beek will recur in the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle, premiering July 1.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.