The 2025 monster/romance/horror film The Gorge is just, for all purposes, a romance at the gates of evil. That could be spelt “H-E-L-L.” A science fiction horror at heart, the film turns into an old fashioned cute “boy meets girl”scenario as two snipers meet at the opposite sides of a gorge out of a nightmare.
This nightmare, however, is very real and deadly.
the story
Two top of their league snipers are placed on opposite sides of a gorge, “The Gorge.” In an operation so secret only a shadowy non-governmental agency knows of its mission, the pair have to learn “by doing.” They find out that they have to keep the inhabitants of the gorge from leaving.
the main cast
Miles Teller is Levi.
Anya Taylor-Joy is Drasa.
Sigourney Weaver is Bartholomew.
Cast Kudos
Sope Dirisu is J.D. This “Edgeware, London lad” scores major kudos here. A cast regular for six episodes in Slow Horses; he played Sean Donovan, this actor shines in his “small” part. #nosmallparts He plays the chap that Levi is replacing. English as tea and crumpets, he manages to stand out in the few moments he is onscreen.
behind the camera
Written by Zach Dean (The Tomorrow War, Deadfall) and directed by Scott Derrickson (Dr Strange, Sinister) The Gorge is well paced and thorough. The Cinematography by Dan Laustsen marries well with the editing skills of Frédéric Thoraval. Overwhelmingly CGI, the action seems to be a mixture of practical FX and CG. This pairing works very well overall.
It all works
The Gorge is a bit contrived. The opening sequence of Levi’s hiring is a bit taxing. Drasa, on the other hand, is so scant as to be puzzling. The secrecy behind their tasking is annoying. We literally do not know what they are meant to stop. It is, to put it bluntly, monster creations. They are pretty darn scary. It is, however, the technology behind the creatures they must really control.
Apple TV
This is another win for Apple TV. The production portion of Apple TV has given us, in 2024 alone, a number of winning shows/movies.
These are just a few of the “winning” films and series on offer that were financed, aka; produced by the company. The Gorge is another winner.
The Verdict
The Gorge is a full 4 star film. It could have easily earned that 5th star had the plot not been so contrived from start to finish. The two main stars are, however, suitable as romantic leads. They make a “believable” couple and both do what they do so well; appeal to a certain demographic.
The film is streaming on Apple TV + right now.
The Trailer
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