The Gateway is a crime thriller that tells the story of a single mother named Parker, her daughter, and a social worker named Jane. Parker works as a struggling waitress, trying to make ends meet to take care of her daughter, Dahlia. Jane comes into the picture as the assigned social worker to take care of Dahlia.
One day, Parker's ex-boyfriend and Dahlia's father, Mike, comes back into town after serving a sentence in prison for robbery. Mike's presence immediately causes tension as Parker is afraid he will take her daughter away from her. However, Mike promises to turn over a new leaf and be a better father.
Nevertheless, Mike's attempt to start anew goes awry as he drags Parker and Dahlia into his criminal activities, causing them to get involved in a drug deal gone wrong. In the face of impending danger, Jane tries to intervene and protect Parker and Dahlia.
In the end, the trio must find a way to navigate the dangerous world of crime orchestrated by Mike and stay alive. The Gateway showcases the complexity of family dynamics and the devastating consequences of criminal activity on everyday lives.