The Gateway Blu-ray Review

THE MOVIE — 3/5

Plot Synopsis: Parker (SHEA WHIGHAM) is a down-on-his-luck social worker who finds himself in over his head when he tries to protect his client (OLIVIA MUNN), and her daughter (TAEGEN BURNS), from her recently paroled husband (ZACH AVERY). Can Parker save the family from the violent threat of the maniacal drug dealer (FRANK GRILLO) and his crew, desperate to reclaim their priceless stash?

Review: The Gateway is one of those movies with a basic story but a lackluster screenplay that probably could’ve undergone more rewrites to better hone in on a central theme, which delves a little into the foster care system but doesn’t really bring it home, plus you have a side action with a gang ripping off drugs from a Mexican cartel; a decent sequence I suppose but only there to fuel a final confrontation in the end.

However even with a shaky plot, and one that does meander a bit along the way to a bloody finale, this does feature quite the cast. Shea Whigham, whom I recognize mostly as one of the detectives in Joker, is a great and mostly underutilized talent, reminded me a bit like John Hawkes, another actor relegated to mostly supporting roles but when he gets a lead (see 2011’s Martha Marcy May Marlene), he’s absolutely tremendous; same goes for Whigham, who gives a great performance in what otherwise is a character not fully realized.

The supporting cast also deliver the goods. Olivia Munn, whom I will always remember for Attack of the Show has shown herself to being a pretty decent dramatic actress, she doesn’t get a whole lot to work with outside of being an abused wife and struggling mother, but holds her own. Frank Grillo has an all too short role as a local gangster, likely all of his scenes were shot in a day (and shares no screen time with Whigham sadly). Bruce Dern does his best in another small but important role, as a father-figure to the Parker character who attempts to make amends for his past. Also featured in a tiny part, maybe 2 minutes of screen time is the wonderful Keith David.

The Gateway, titled as it takes place in St. Louis, was co-scripted and directed by Michele Civetta, which is his sophomore feature following a 2020 thriller called Agony starring Asia Argento, and here Civetta does try a few things utilizing a handheld camera and a few long shots, but can’t say there was anything that really stood out, and if not for a well rounded cast, this might’ve been a tough movie to sit through.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 1¾/5

This release comes with a glossy, title-embossed, slip cover. Inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Only features are Living Legends: The Cast of The Gateway (4:14) featurette and the film’s Trailer (2:20).

VIDEO – 4/5

AUDIO – 4¼/5

OVERALL – 2¾/5

The Gateway is only worth checking out if only for some solid performances, however the story is relatively thin and clocking in around 87 minutes doesn’t allow these characters to be developed, don’t know if it was due to budget, covid or both, but the screenplay is the weak point.