The Gorge Review
Introduction
The Gorge, a film directed by Scott Derrickson, featuring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy seems to be confused whether it’s a science fiction, horror, action-romance or a hybrid of some sorts.
The Setup
For those without Apple TV Plus, you may have missed The Gorge during its promotional period. I utilized an offer for three months of service at a nominal fee and have recently watched the film. Directed by Scott Derrickson, I initially expected it to focus on horror, yet the film presented a more multifaceted approach.
Plot Recap
The story begins with sniper Levi Kane, played by Miles Teller, who experiences PTSD-induced nightmares. He has participated in some unknown conflict, worked as a mercenary and now military spook Sigourney Weaver wants to hire him for a top secret assignment that will last a year. The catch is he cannot contact anyone, including whoever else is in the location he’s going to. He accepts the assignment and arrives at the location where there’s two towers facing each other on opposite sides of a gigantic, foggy gorge.
Concurrently, Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), a sniper from Lithuania, interacts with Levi from opposing towers across the mysterious gorge in an unnamed location. The towers are in an undisclosed location, isolated from the outside world, where they guard against entities called the Hollow Men.
The narrative transitions into a romance as Levi and Drasa communicate using large drawing pads, forming a bond despite being forbidden from contacting each other. As they challenge their isolation, the film introduces the Hollow Men—humans overtaken by tree roots—as a primary threat. They uncover a conspiracy involving military experiments and a nuclear bomb intended to maintain the secrecy of their location.
Themes and Impressions
The film explores themes of solitude, survival, and unexpected connections. The decision to forgo a guiding narration or explicit introduction allows viewers to discover the mysteries of the gorge through the characters' perspectives. The Gorge shares tonal similarities with Annihilation, incorporating director Derrickson's horror touch, such as a scene with human-skulled spiders in an abandoned church.
Music and Atmosphere
Trent Reznor composed the film’s music, which features electronic soundscapes reminiscent of Boards of Canada. The soundtrack enhances the film’s atmospheric depth, subtly shifting the tone from romantic to suspenseful in harmony with the visuals.
Final Thoughts
While The Gorge does not redefine any particular genre, its blend of elements makes it engaging enough, but mostly entertaining. The performances, particularly by Anya Taylor-Joy, display moments of light heartedness, although her accent occasionally distracts from the drama. Miles Teller provides a consistent performance, though his role variations appear limited throughout his career. He’s found his niche in playing reserved men in military or law enforcement.
In summary, The Gorge is a distinctive film that engages with its combination of themes and atmospheric sound. It may not be Derrickson's best work, but it is entertaining. For the best experience, watch it on a large screen with high-quality sound settings. I’m guessing that perhaps Derrickson, with his horror background probably wanted to make it darker and scarier. The slant of the final product was more of a romance, which gives it an odd ending.
Conclusion
Whether you are interested in the romance, sci-fi, or horror elements, or simply appreciate atmospheric music, this film is worth watching if you get a chance. Is it a classic? Is it something new? Is it stylistically new? Not really. But it’s an intriguing premise.