Two highly trained operatives become close after being sent to protect opposite sides of a mysterious gorge. When evil emerges, they must work together to survive what lies within.
Of course, there are rules. The rules are strict instructions to not communicate with each other and to eliminate anything that emerges from the gorge. We already know from the official synopsis that they break the first rule. So, what about this evil that is most definitely going to emerge? What lies in the depths of the gorge? Is it physical, metaphysical, hullabaloo, or something entirely different?
Released through Apple TV+ on February 14, 2025, Scott Derrickson’s directed The Gorge aims to answer that question while weaving a Romeo and Juliet story into the suspense and action.
With a streamlined cast, the film stars Miles Teller (War Dogs 2016, Top Gun: Maverick 2022) as Levi Kane, Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch 2015, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga 2024) as Drasa, Sigourney Weaver (Alien 1979, Avatar: The Way of Water 2022) as Bartholomew, Sope Dirisu (Gangs of London series, Mr. Malcolm’s List 2022) as J.D, and William Houston (Sherlock Holmes 2009, Wednesday series) as Erikas.
Looking back, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet first emerged in 1597. According to research, there have been thirty-four films based on the Romeo and Juliet theme since then. Although, you can beg to differ.
Practically from the start, “Straydog,” an unknown emergency protocol, is enacted. Then, we meet Dresa and Levi, a Lithuanian covert operative and a former U.S. Marine Scout/Sniper. They are stationed for a year on the west and east sides of the gorge…alone.
Here lies the crux of their assignment. As people, even the most standoff-ish, introverted person, we cannot go indefinitely without some interaction…even if it is just “hi(s)” in passing. So, to pull an entire year with the self and just one’s thoughts would be impossible. Dresa’s and Levi’s first interactions hearken back to 2004’s Dawn of the Dead remake, where they use signs to communicate without catching the dead’s attention.
True, if Dresa and Levin are professionals, then the mission will always come first, which makes the relationship highly improbable. But when has Hollywood stuck to complete realism? 2005’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith comes to mind in a roundabout way in this vein. Then again, there is that pesky need for human interaction.
The Gorge was released strictly to streaming, so it has no box office take. It became Apple TV+’s most significant film premiere, boosting new viewers by over 80% and driving double-digit global growth for the service. So, how does The Gorge meld Horror, Action, Psychological, and Romance in one movie? Well, some critics have back-handed feedback saying it is good enough for theaters, but there is enough for everybody that it is goofily entertaining. General audiences have been much more forgiving, with most enjoying the film.
We already know going in that one, or both, might die with the Romeo and Juliet theme, so there is the tragic psychological element there. We do not know what is in the gorge, if any, so there is psychological uncertainty. Could they just be sent on a nothing mission? There are scenarios and visuals we concoct in our minds without even seeing. Psychological is horror. Joy and Teller convey the push and pull of knowing their objective but dealing with their humanness and knowing they must work together to survive nicely.
There are other movies in theaters where you can waste a little over two hours, not to mention gas, tickets, and snack money. Or, you can stay home and watch a movie that might surprise you. Decisions, decisions. With everything considered, Cryptic Rock gives The Gorge 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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