The movie The Gorge starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller has been released on Apple TV+. Expecting a tense horror? You’ll get a military drama. Hoping for an action-packed thriller? It comes with a romantic subplot. Maybe some well-crafted sci-fi? Unfortunately, it’s more atmosphere than substance. The film tries to please everyone but ends up feeling disjointed — neither horror, action, nor sci-fi is properly explored.
The Plot of The Gorge
The plot seems intriguing: Levai (Miles Teller), a mercenary with PTSD, receives a strange assignment — to guard a secret facility at the edge of an impassable gorge. His partner, a sniper named Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), is a mysterious killer from Lithuania.
At first, it all seems serious: the misty gorge hides a deadly threat, with watchtowers on both sides, and the heroes must remain vigilant. But after a couple of scenes, instead of a tense thriller, the film turns into... a romantic melodrama.
The characters flirt, stare into each other’s eyes for long moments, and it seems everyone has forgotten about the terrifying creatures lurking below. Of course, when the monsters finally appear, Levai and Drasa have something to fight for. But the problem is, the film takes too long to introduce this twist, and by that point, we’ve already grown tired of their "love games."
The Plot's Downsides
The main problem with the film is its mix of too many genres. It starts with a military thriller vibe, reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan, featuring secret missions, special forces, and a military base. Then, it shifts to sci-fi, with elements resembling Resident Evil and Silent Hill, including a secret facility, mysterious creatures, and experiments. Next, it transitions into pure action, with the heroes armed and fighting monsters, before suddenly diving into philosophical reflections on humanity, guilt, and the past, alongside a romantic subplot.
Just when the viewer thinks they understand what kind of film this is, it abruptly switches genres. As a result, none of them are fully explored, and the overall tone feels chaotic.
Monsters You Can't See
The film promises a terrifying secret deep in the gorge. The "hollow people" concept could have been intriguing. But when the monsters finally appear, the special effects feel like something from the early 2000s. Weak graphics and unconvincing animation — it's unforgivable for a film with such a budget and high expectations.
Conclusion
The Gorge tries to blend horror, sci-fi, military drama, and romance all at once. As a result, each genre competes with the others, leaving the viewer confused. Is it worth watching? Only if you enjoy genre chaos and beautiful actors against a spooky landscape. But if you're looking for a coherent story, you'd better choose something else.
