The Gorge Movie Review dissects director Scott Derrickson’s ambitious 2025 thriller, blending romance, sci-fi, and survival horror. Written by Zach Dean (The Tomorrow War), the film stars Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy as elite snipers tasked with guarding opposing sides of a fog-drenched canyon. When an ancient evil awakens beneath them, their professional detachment crumbles into urgent collaboration—and unexpected intimacy.
Plot Overview
Eli (Teller) and Hannah (Taylor-Joy), rival operatives, surveil a remote gorge from isolated towers. Their only interaction? Crackling radio banter that evolves from witty exchanges to emotional vulnerability. This fragile bond is tested when seismic anomalies unleash a malevolent force, forcing them to confront both the gorge’s secrets and their growing connection.
Cast and Performances
The trio delivers standout performances:
| Actor | Role | Performance Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Miles Teller | Eli | Balances stoicism with dry humor |
| Anya Taylor-Joy | Hannah | Radiates sharp intellect and guarded warmth |
| Sigourney Weaver | Commander Voss | Steely authority with hidden motives |
Weaver’s Commander Voss, overseeing the mission from afar, adds layers of intrigue. Her scenes with Taylor-Joy crackle with tension, echoing themes from North Korea Expands Nuclear Program.
Direction and Writing
Derrickson (Doctor Strange) masterfully sustains suspense through claustrophobic framing and the gorge’s oppressive fog. Dean’s script cleverly subverts rom-com tropes, using the snipers’ radio dynamic to mirror modern digital relationships. The “evil” remains ambiguously Lovecraftian, visualized through pulsating terrain and distorted sounds—reminiscent of Mysteries of Pulsar Signals.
Themes and Symbolism
- Isolation in Connectivity: Radio dialogues contrast physical solitude.
- Nature vs. Unknown: The gorge symbolizes humanity’s fragility against cosmic horrors.
- Trust as Survival: Echoes themes in Unlocking Memory Retrieval.
Production Insights
- Budget: $50–70 million, with costs prioritized on Nepal’s Kali Gandaki Gorge filming and practical effects.
- Sound Design: Field recordings of wind patterns and subterranean rumbles create unease.
- Release: Premieres February 13, 2025; streaming on Prime Video by late 2025.
Comparison to Genre Peers
| Film | Genre Mix | Tone | RT Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gorge (2025) | Romance/Sci-Fi/Thriller | Suspenseful, wry | 81% (Early) |
| Annihilation (2018) | Sci-Fi/Horror | Existential dread | 88% |
| The Adjustment Bureau | Romance/Sci-Fi | Philosophical | 72% |
Trailer and Reception
The official trailer highlights sniping sequences, eerie visuals, and the leads’ chemistry. Early reactions praise Taylor-Joy’s performance but critique pacing lags. With a pre-release popularity score of 3135.209, it’s poised to resonate with fans of Dandadan Review.
FAQs
- Is the gorge real?
Filmed in Nepal’s Kali Gandaki, enhanced with CGI fog. - Age rating?
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences and brief language. - Sequel plans?
Unconfirmed, but Dean hints at expanded lore.
Final Verdict
The Gorge deftly intertwines sniper precision with emotional stakes. While its genre shifts may jar purists, Teller and Taylor-Joy’s magnetic dynamic and Derrickson’s atmospheric dread make it a 2025 standout.