At the Gates

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At the Gates

R

2023

1h 37m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

When immigration officers arrive at an affluent family's home searching for its housekeeper and her son, their employers convince them to go into hiding in the family's basement closet. What unfolds is a riveting thriller about two families who begin to question each other's true intentions as the days go by and the threat looms ever nearer.

Rex Reed

Observer

At the Gates is a noble film that forces you to think about both sides of a controversial issue in a new light. Not exactly a masterpiece, but highly recommended.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 13, 2023

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David Ehrlich

IndieWire

There’s just not enough going on to fill out some of these shots, let alone the story they’re meant to serve.

Rated: C

Nov 3, 2023

Full Review

Manuel Betancourt

Variety

Aiming to be a tense drama about trust, the film struggles to balance the personal and cultural stakes at the heart of its neat conceit.

Nov 1, 2023

Full Review

Cody Allen

Geek Vibes Nation

At the Gates inadvertently sidelines the potential richness of Ana's character, despite the magnetic performance by Benavente.

Rated: 5.5

Jul 22, 2025

Full Review

Tara McNamara

Common Sense Media

Playing into and off of stereotypes, cliches, and expectations based on the many films that have come before it, At the Gates makes us question the Barris family's intentions -- and, for some viewers, confront their own assumptions.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 8, 2023

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

Melodramatic contrivances undermine some of the more provocative social messaging, although this tightly wound thriller builds tension as an intimate study of paranoia and family dynamics.

Nov 3, 2023

Full Review

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Tate Rosio

Incredibly fresh, original and timely film that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. A must-see for any fans of independent cinema and cultural thrillers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/23

Full Review

Philip W

The story focus is on a wealthy family tricking illegals fto stay 24 hours a day and serve them. The Actor who plays Nico is totally unconvincing and a terrible actor. The story itself is weak. None of the acting is good. Nor is the premise. Today it would be good for Stephen Miller to watch.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

Perla H

Great movie, reminds me when my mom takes me to go clean the rich people’s house 🇸🇻🥹

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

Full Review

Eric T

Highly recommend. Interesting suspense film that keeps you thinking about the dynamics after the movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

Full Review

Sam B

Timely and captivating

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/23

Full Review

Vincent

Ezekiel Pacheco steals the show. Great acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/23

Full Review

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Augustus Meleo Bernstein

Director

Ezekiel Pacheco

Nico Ibarra

Sadie Stanley

Lauren Barris

Christopher Alvarenga

Officer Derek

Vanessa Benavente

Ana Ibarra

Nikita Chaudhry

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Synopsis

When immigration officers arrive at an affluent family's home searching for its housekeeper and her son, their employers convince them to go into hiding in the family's basement closet. What unfolds is a riveting thriller about two families who begin to question each other's true intentions as the days go by and the threat looms ever nearer.

Director: Augustus Meleo Bernstein
Producer: Augustus Meleo Bernstein, Jhanvi Motla, Paulo Torres
Screenwriter: Augustus Meleo Bernstein
Distributor: Picturehouse
Production Co: Beacon Pictures, Five Towers, Picturehouse
Rating: R (Language|Some Drug Use)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 3, 2023, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.6K
Runtime: 1h 37m