Apple TV+ continues its foray into original content with *The Gorge*, a film that blends romance, sci-fi, and action into an ambitious yet ultimately disappointing experience. Directed by Scott Derrickson (*Sinister, Doctor Strange, The Black Phone*), the film sets up an intriguing premise but fails to deliver on its potential, especially in its second half. While it boasts strong performances from Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy, the movie succumbs to uninspired storytelling, questionable visual effects, and a lackluster execution of its sci-fi elements.
The Gorge
The film introduces us to Drasa, a top-tier Lithuanian fighter and sniper, and her American counterpart, Levi, a highly skilled soldier. They are assigned a secret mission that isolates them from the world for an entire year, tasked with guarding a massive trench hidden from humanity for decades. The mission is bound by strict rules, the most crucial being that they are forbidden from communicating with each other.
Naturally, as cinematic tradition dictates, a rule like this is bound to be broken, leading to an unexpected romance that challenges the very foundation of their assignment. The first half of the film does a commendable job of exploring this dynamic. The character development is solid, and the tension between them is well-paced. If given more time to breathe and evolve naturally, this portion of the movie could have been exceptional.
Unfortunately, *The Gorge* stumbles significantly in its second half. As the film shifts its focus to the mystery surrounding the trench and its sci-fi elements, it quickly spirals into a mess of poor storytelling choices and uninspired action sequences. What was initially an engaging romantic sci-fi thriller turns into a nonsensical spectacle filled with cheap visual effects—smoke machines, colored lights, and generic action tropes.
For a director with Derrickson’s background in mystery and horror, this should have been his moment to shine. Instead, the execution feels rushed and uninspired, almost like a children’s story with a few forced jump scares. The intrigue built in the first half is squandered, leaving audiences with more frustration than excitement.
Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy start off strong, bringing depth and emotion to their characters in the film’s early moments. Their chemistry helps sell the premise, making the audience invest in their relationship. However, as the story unravels into chaos, there’s little they can do to salvage the film’s downward spiral. Despite their talent and recent strong film choices, *The Gorge* does little to showcase their abilities beyond the first act.
*The Gorge* had all the ingredients for a compelling sci-fi romance but failed to capitalize on them. The first half holds promise, with an intriguing setup and strong character work. But by the time the film transitions into its grand reveal and action-heavy climax, it loses its way completely.
While *The Gorge* deserves credit for its ambition, its flaws ultimately outweigh its strengths. A great concept and solid performances are let down by poor execution, weak visuals, and a second half that turns an intriguing mystery into a forgettable misfire. For sci-fi and romance fans, this one might still be worth a watch—but don’t expect to be blown away.
My rating for “The Gorge” is 4/10