Hellgate (2011 film)

Hellgate, originally titled *Shadows*, is a 2011 supernatural thriller co-produced by the United States and Thailand. Written and directed by John Penney, the film features William Hurt and Cary Elwes. Elwes portrays a man who, as the lone survivor of a car crash, starts encountering ghosts and turns to a spiritual guru played by Hurt for assistance.

Jeff Mathews, an American businessman, is in a car accident in Bangkok, Thailand. Waking in a hospital, his nurse, Choi Luang, tells him his wife Som and son Kyle died. Mathews finds himself unable to grieve. Troubled by his emotional numbness and recurring hallucinations, he asks Luang for help. She takes him to her psychic aunt, who suggests his soul has separated from his body. Unable to assist, she directs him to Warren Mills, an American spiritualist experienced in soul reconnection. Mills initially refuses, deeming the required ritual too hazardous, but eventually agrees. He explains that Mathews must traverse a perilous passage guarded by demons and maintain focus during a critical ceremony where he will face temptation. Mathews abandons the ritual when he learns demons threaten his family. Mills takes over, and Mathews crosses into the afterlife to rescue them. He successfully leads his family to safety and reunites with his lost soul.

The film premiered at the Italian Fantasy Horror Film Festival on June 3, 2011, followed by its United States premiere in Los Angeles on November 5, 2011. IFC Films released it theatrically and on video on demand on November 16, 2012, with a DVD release on March 12, 2013.

Jason Panella of *DVD Verdict* noted that while the concept is strong and Penney deserves credit for an introspective approach, the result is boring and not particularly frightening. Mark L. Miller of AICN wrote that the film is not especially scary but contains "moments of awesome."

*Hellgate* won Best Film at the Bram Stoker International Film Festival and Best Horror Film at the Fantasy Horror Awards in Italy.