The Gorge

I often feel like I am just swimming through life, unnoticed. But as I do so, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be the best at something—to always be in demand. Is that a gift or a burden? I’ll never know. But I imagine that having everyone want you for the one thing you’re so good at can be pretty lonely.

In Scott Derrickson’s new film, The Gorge, we meet two snipers—both the best of the best—who are called upon to use their talents in a unique way, all while uncovering a secret that will stay with them forever.

Levi (Miles Teller) is a damn good sniper, but his job has isolated him from life. He has no family, no friends—making him perfect for a job where no one would miss him. Dresa (Anya Taylor-Joy) is also an incredible assassin, her skill with a rifle is earning her quite the reputation. Unlike Levi, though, she still has her father in her life. Levi is recruited for a special mission by a woman named Bartholomew (Sigourney Weaver), who believes his solitude and precision will be invaluable. Soon, Levi is taken to a hidden location, where he meets J.D. (Sope Dirisu), the man he is set to replace. J.D. gives him a rundown of the job: Levi is to stay in a watchtower, overlooking a vast gorge fortified with heavy weaponry and a cloaking system.

On the other side of the gorge stands another tower, occupied by someone with the same mission. That person is Dresa. They are instructed to remain out of contact, but Dresa breaks protocol, reaching out to Levi through messages. Over time, they find ways to see each other in person, forging a connection neither expected. But The Gorge has other plans—their budding romance is about to take a backseat to survival.

Written by Zach Dean, The Gorge feels like two movies in one. The first half is filled with rom-com elements, allowing us to connect with the characters naturally as they grow closer. But just as love is in the air, the film shifts gears, dropping us into a different world—one where some truly freaky monsters show up, and they’re not in a good mood. What follows is an explosive final act, packed with intense set pieces as our heroes fight for their lives.

The Gorge is a high-concept film that takes a big swing, blending romance with sci-fi action. As a ride, it’s a lot of fun, and you get the sense that the world it builds would have been even better experienced on the big screen. Directed by Scott Derrickson, the film feels assured—he makes the most of what he has. However, the final act takes too many twists and turns, and the movie could have benefited from trimming about twenty minutes off its runtime.

As for the cast, Teller and Taylor-Joy sell the relationship between their characters, even if those characters lack much depth. That said, The Gorge is a surprisingly entertaining romantic action film, with a little horror sprinkled in for good measure. The result? A pretty good time that overcomes its shortcomings, making you forget what it wastes and just enjoy what it is.