The Gorge: A Sci-Fi Thriller That’s Almost Stupid Fun

Introduction

When I saw the trailer for The Gorge, I was hooked. It’s exactly the kind of science fiction thriller schlock I gravitate toward. I’m a sucker for films like Edge of Tomorrow and Oblivion, and this story seemed right up my alley. Plus, I’m always down for a good sniper and survival movie.

It took me a while to watch it because I didn’t have Apple TV+. But when Apple offered a discount for a few months, I finally got the chance to sit down and watch it.

The Story

The story centers on two snipers, an American sniper named Levi, and a Russian assassin named Drasa.

Levi is introduced to a shadowy character played by Sigourney Weaver, whom he assumes is a CIA spook. After some personal questioning, Weaver’s character sends Levi on a mission to an undisclosed location in the wilderness for a full year, where he will be totally isolated, manning a tower next to a gorge that has an ever-present shroud of fog hiding what lies at the bottom.

On the other side of the gorge is a sister tower manned by his counterpart, someone sent from the eastern world powers.

The mystery sets in when the two isolated snipers hear otherworldly shrieks and noises coming out of the gorge at night, and both snipers are thrust into a mission of survival, horror, and betrayal that could mean the end of the world if the hidden menace in the gorge is unleashed on the world.

Things I Liked

I haven’t seen many movies with Anya Taylor-Joy, but I really liked her character. She nails the tough-girl role better than most of her modern counterparts. One standout in recent memory is Emily Blunt in Edge of Tomorrow, who did a fantastic job playing a strong yet vulnerable action hero. Anya Taylor-Joy pulls it off in a way that complements her male counterpart without feeling forced.

Miles Teller is always reliable, and he was great in Top Gun: Maverick. Here, though, he feels a bit stiff and neutral, like he’s not fully connecting with the role.

Still, the leads do a solid job with what they’re given. They’re two attractive people who are practically destined to fall in love—who wouldn’t in that situation?

She and Levi work well together, with Levi taking on more of a protective role, while Taylor-Joy slides into a supporting one, while still getting plenty of moments to shine. Their dynamic feels natural and refreshing, with both parties combining their skills in a way that feels refreshing and natural.

I really liked the story when it was leaning into its survivalist element. Like a Robinson Crusoe or Cast Away survival story, I wanted to see more about the characters dealing with the effects of isolation and living off the land, and for the first half of the movie, it really got me hooked.

Things I Didn’t Like

Despite my high expectations, The Gorge felt sillier than its already whimsical premise promised. At times, the characters and filmmaking style lean so heavily into absurdity that they undermine the story's events with how unseriously they react to the horror elements going on around them.

I was most disappointed that I enjoyed the story elements surrounding the gorge—like the sniper setup and the overall mystery—more than the scenes inside the gorge itself. This became clear after the duo’s first encounter with the monsters that emerge from the gorge. The monsters appear, seemingly triggered by the loud music Drasa plays for her birthday. After some flirty, hijinks-filled communication, the two grab their guns when they realize something is coming out of the canyon.

They fight the monsters off and stand guard all night. In the morning, Drasa holds up a sign for Levi to see that reads, “Best Birthday Ever!” Really? Instead of grappling with the insane events they just witnessed, she makes a joke? This nonchalance by both characters permeates the entire movie, and it undermines the story’s weight in return.

I appreciate when stories embrace the absurdity of their wild premises by having characters react realistically to the bizarre things they’re seeing. But when you lean into Marvel-esque humor, quipping away serious moments, it chips away at the story’s credibility for the viewer.

The logical inconsistencies also pile up. The agency that sent the two snipers to their outpost equips them with automatic turrets and drones with miniguns. So... why do they need snipers in the first place?

Also, the two snipers are told no contact with each other, but… they hired snipers. And they gave the snipers plenty of ways to communicate with each other, high-powered binoculars among other things. So the idea that the snipers aren’t allowed to communicate seems a little far-fetched, given that these individuals are supposed to be totally isolated for a year. It’s obvious that these two individuals are going to communicate and interact with each other, even if at a distance.

The soundtrack is another sore spot. The music choices are... pretty bad, clashing with the seriousness and mystery of the premise. I was hoping for a film that played up the mysterious and thriller aspects, not something that felt like a straight action flick.

Then there’s the interesting creative choices with the color selections when the characters make it into the gorge itself. The fog starts with an orange hue but then randomly switches to purple for no clear reason. The inconsistency feels sloppy.

The romance also springs up too quickly. Instead of letting the chemistry build slowly, it jumps straight in without either character showing much resistance. They become besties practically overnight, with no tension or disagreement to add depth to their relationship.

The mystery falls flat, too. The monsters are revealed way too soon, and the protagonists aren’t shocked or mortified by anything they see. They take it all in stride, like it’s just another Tuesday. It’s hard to stay invested when the characters seem unbothered.

Finally, the special effects are hit-or-miss. Some set pieces are creepily beautiful, but the zombie-like creatures in the gorge feel generic and non-threatening.

Conclusion

I genuinely love many elements of The Gorge. The sniper setup and survivalist vibe are fantastic. Even though it’s cheesy, I was a fan of the romantic scenario, and the lead actors settle into their roles well for the most part. The mystery and horror elements are promising... but that’s where the film falls short.

It shifts into action-adventure territory too quickly when it should have leaned harder into its mystery-horror roots. While the film is fun and entertaining in its own way, it’s also kind of silly. I love the concept, but I wish the filmmakers had done more with it.

The Gorge is a mystery that isn’t mysterious enough. It’s a romance that isn’t romantic enough. It has action but isn’t exciting enough. With a bit more focus, it could’ve been something special.