The Stream: Corny dialogue and the actors lack chemistry.

The Big Screen: Interesting visual effects and some thrilling action sequences.

The Final Bill: As a sci-fi horror movie, it’s entertaining and intense; as a sci-fi romance, it’s corny and lame.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Scott Derrickson
Writers: Zach Dean
Stars: Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sigourney Weaver
Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror, Sci-Fi, Romance
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, brief strong language, some suggestive material and thematic elements
Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes
Production Companies: Crooked Highway, Skydance Media, Lit Entertainment Group
Platform: On Apple TV+ February 14, 2025

Hey, Streamers! In the afterglow of Valentine’s Day, a movie with some romance still hits the spot. The Gorge, released on Apple TV+ on Valentine’s Day, promises action and romance. Here’s whether its promises were kept.

In The Gorge, Levi (Miles Teller), a former military sharpshooter, who doesn’t have any worldly connections, is tasked with a secret mission to guard the west tower at an undisclosed location. Meanwhile, Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), a Lithuanian sniper, receives a similar mission to guard the east tower on the side of the same gorge. All Levi and Drasa know is that they are alone, and the mission is dangerous. When Levi and Drasa connect with each other from across the gorge, they have to figure out the mysteries from below and protect each other from danger. Dark and foggy hijinks ensue.

Recently, we reviewed Heart Eyes, which deftly intertwined romantic comedy with a horror slasher flick. Unfortunately, The Gorge is not as successful in mixing its multiple genres. This movie wants to be a sci-fi, action film and it succeeds on that front pretty well. There are cool action sequences, and the premise of the film is intriguing enough to sustain its mystery. There are tense moments, there are thrills, and it has a good energy to it.

Also, The Gorge wants to be a sci-fi, horror film. On that front, it’s okay, but not as successful because the movie is not really scary overall.  Some of the visual effects are good, particularly in building a creepy atmosphere, but some of the effects look like videogame effects and sequences. Honestly, it was a bit silly, but I can’t say I wasn’t entertained.

Finally, the movie also wants to be a sci-fi, romance. This is where the movie ultimately falters. The dialogue that’s supposed to establish and propel this romance is pretty lame and corny. Miles Teller and Any Taylor-Joy struggle to have realistic chemistry. They’re not bad, just not believable. The romance doesn’t make sense in the context of everything else that’s going on. In fact, the movie would not miss anything if that entire storyline was left out – especially since Teller and Taylor-Joy do well in the action sequences.

Ultimately, The Gorge is an occasionally thrilling movie with a lot of potential. While the concept is strong, the movie is confused about whether it should be a sci-fi romance or a sci-fi horror movie. The sci-fi horror movie is fun and entertaining, but the sci-fi romance is pretty corny and lame. The dialogue is not great, and the actors don’t save it; but the visual effects are pretty cool. Grab a bowl of popcorn for an evening viewing on Apple TV+.