A young couple discovers that their dream home is all a facade in the micro indie Beyond the Gates of Hell. Just in time for the Halloween spooky season, writer/director Dustin Ferguson brings out the horrors and haunts in this 42-minute mid-length feature. Drawing inspiration from 80s Italian horror, Beyond the Gates of Hell is a witty and entertaining B-horror film that uses its kookiness to its advantage.

Dream Home Turns Into a Death Trap

What caught my attention immediately was the “Movie Trailers” that precede Beyond the Gates of Hell. The first five minutes are dedicated to other similarly gory films, providing a uniquely comical touch. Once we settle into the “Feature Presentation,” we meet our protagonists, Ian (Eric Larsen) and Katrina (Traci Burr). The newlywed couple arrives at their recently purchased mansion in the countryside, eager to fulfill their dream by opening a bed & breakfast. However, they become suspicious when their realtor warns them to “watch your step, these old places are full of tricks.”

She then explains the mansion’s lore. This includes how the previous owner was burned alive in the basement by neighbors who believed he was a devil worshipper. Katrina is not amused at this horrifying discovery and begs Ian to reconsider buying the property. At first, Ian brushes off Katrina’s concerns, but unexplainable things begin happening inside the house that the couple can’t ignore. One night, a mysterious neighbor named Henrietta (Jennifer Moriarty) shows up with a message from “beyond the gates of hell.” She explains to Katrina that the mansion is cursed and sits atop one of the seven gateways of hell. What follows is a crescendo of nightmarish incidents that leads to a not so happily ever after.

Bringing Big Ideas to Life in a Big Way

Dustin Ferguson crafts a devilishly wicked world within the confines of what I can only assume is a micro budget. The ingenuity to bring such a big idea to life with limited resources is a truly admirable feat. Ferguson is no stranger to the micro indie universe. With a filmography over 160 credits long, he is perhaps one of the only directors who can successfully execute a genre film that is this ambitious.

 Takeaway

Beyond the Gates of Hell is a fun popcorn flick to lose yourself in during this spooky season. Strong performances and a pitch-perfect score make this horror haunt both a trick and a treat for audiences at home.