The Gorge on Apple TV+

A Review I Wish I Didn't Have To Write

Scott Derrickson’s The Gorge is an ambitious mix of romance, sci-fi, and action horror that ultimately struggles to deliver on pretty much any of these. Starring Miles Teller as Levi and Anya Taylor-Joy as Drasa, the film places two elite snipers on opposite sides of a mysterious gorge, tasked with preventing anything from emerging. What begins as an original concept with potential for emotional depth and thrilling action devolves into a disjointed genre mashup that leaves much to be desired.

The movie is not without its strengths, of course.

Both Teller and Taylor-Joy bring charisma and effort to their roles, making their characters’ budding connection somewhat engaging despite limited material. Taylor-Joy, in particular, shines with her usual screen presence. Who doesn’t love to see her on the screen? Am I right?

The initial premise—a gorge that might be a portal to hell guarded by two isolated snipers—is compelling and sets the stage for both tension and mystery. You know from the outset something is coming out of that gorge. You just don’t know what.

Some of the early scenes rely on visual storytelling, such as silent communication between the leads, which, while totally unbelievable, adds charm to their relationship development. One of their orders is that they are to have no contact with the person on the other side of the gorge. But then, if they followed orders we wouldn’t have a budding relationship would we?

Unfortunately, the weaknesses far outweigh the strengths in this movie.

Both leads are cast as expert snipers with extraordinary records, but their portrayals feel unconvincing in the context of their roles. Teller’s Levi lacks the gravitas of a hardened contractor, while Taylor-Joy’s Drasa doesn’t fully embody her character’s elite status. Levi is dressed in fatigues while Drasa nearly always appears in skin-tight leather. In the jungle. Every day. For a year. What the..?

The film struggles to balance its romantic subplot with its sci-fi horror elements. The romance feels underdeveloped, while the action sequences lack impact due to generic CGI monsters and uninspired set pieces. There is more I would love to tell you here, but I’m sworn to doing these reviews with no spoilers if possible.

As the story progresses into the gorge itself (since that element is in the online preview, that’s not really a spoiler is it?), the revelations fail to live up to the buildup. The final act feels all too common, relying on overused tropes rather than delivering fresh ideas or satisfying answers. I won’t spoil the ending, but it feels like it has been lifted directly from one of my most beloved movies (which I won’t share because that would spoil the ending).

Despite a capable director and a score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the film suffers from flat visuals dominated by green screen effects and uninspired creature designs. In other words, they could have done so much better.

So, what’s my verdict?

While The Gorge offers moments of charm and intrigue, it ultimately falls short due to its lackluster execution and inability to fully commit to any one genre. Fans of Teller and Taylor-Joy may find it worth a watch for curiosity’s sake, but most viewers will likely be left underwhelmed by its missed potential. A 6/10 rating feels fair for this flawed yet occasionally engaging effort.

Maybe if this had been a limited series it would have held up. But it doesn’t even come close to something like Silo. Not. Even. Close.