The Gates

Of the many moving parts here, the highlight is Van Der Beek in his final film role. Though he’s playing with a broad character—a white man who believes himself to be a kind of messiah—he does so with an edge. He effortlessly translates the internal calculations, moral tiptoeing, and vicious aims of Jacob onto his face and into his frame (in many ways, it’s a performance that’s reminiscent of Josh Hartnett in "Trap"). Van Der Beek keeps the film interesting and guarded, even when it tries so hard to blurt out its every theme and lesson. So while "The Gates" itself isn’t a total smash, it’s a more than sturdy final effort from a beloved actor.