Scott Derrickson’s The Gorge (2025) is a film brimming with promise, a high-concept action thriller that attempts to blend existential depth with pulse-pounding survival horror. Known for his ability to balance terror and emotion (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister, Doctor Strange), Derrickson crafts an ambitious narrative, but despite its stunning visual execution and compelling leads, the film struggles to fully immerse the audience before it reaches its true stakes.

Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy bring a welcome chemistry to the screen, embodying two highly trained operatives assigned to opposite sides of a seemingly insurmountable gorge. Their dynamic is at the heart of the film, offering a blend of tension and reluctant camaraderie that gradually builds into something more profound. Teller’s rugged intensity contrasts well with Taylor-Joy’s ethereal yet steely resolve, making their interactions compelling even when the story falters.

The film’s core themes—uncertainty, forced isolation, and the necessity of connection—are its most intriguing elements. The gorge itself serves as both a physical and metaphorical chasm, a representation of the vast emotional and ideological distances that separate us. Derrickson is no stranger to exploring the psychological strains of confinement and survival, and The Gorge is at its best when it leans into this existential unease. The idea that we must plunge into the abyss together to find true connection is a powerful one, but the film often stumbles in delivering this emotional payoff.

The emergence of the mysterious evil lurking below should serve as the catalyst for a gripping second half, yet the film lingers too long on its setup. While tension builds effectively, the story meanders in its attempt to establish a connection between the leads, losing narrative momentum before the stakes fully materialise. By the time the horror takes centre stage, the audience’s investment feels slightly strained, making the ultimate conflict feel less urgent than it should.

The Prognosis:

Derrickson’s visual craftsmanship and the undeniable chemistry between Teller and Taylor-Joy elevate The Gorge, making it an intriguing but flawed experience. Its themes of human connection and survival resonate, yet the film struggles under the weight of its own philosophical ambitions, delaying the inevitable descent into true terror. By the time the audience is fully engaged, it feels as though the film has only just begun to reveal its true depths. A fascinating misstep, but a misstep nonetheless.

• Saul Muerte

The Gorge is available to stream on AppleTV+