Scott Derrickson’s The Gorge Fell Short of Being a Masterpiece

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Apple TV+ is known for high-quality films and series, but a recent romantic horror movie by Scott Derrickson didn’t quite succeed. Many successful films, like Don’t Worry Darling, Promising Young Woman, Bird Box, and The Hunger Games, began as scripts featured on the Black List. One of the most popular unproduced scripts from the Black List, The Gorge, was finally released on Apple TV+ in 2025.

Scott Derrickson, the director known for films like Doctor Strange and The Black Phone, signed on to direct The Gorge in March 2022. His involvement suggested the film would deliver fresh and exciting horror. The screenplay was penned by Zach Dean, who also wrote Deadfall and The Tomorrow War. Despite its potential, many viewers felt the movie was weakened by an abrupt shift in genre and a confusing ending. With a few changes, The Gorge could have been a standout romantic horror film.

1 Year After Its Release, The Gorge Is Back in Apple TV’s Top 10

Originally released on Apple TV on February 14, 2025, The Gorge quickly became popular, briefly surpassing Wolfs (starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney) as the most-watched show. However, its time in the spotlight was short-lived, as Guy Ritchie’s Fountain of Youth took over less than a month later. Now, The Gorge is experiencing a resurgence in popularity and is currently ranked #3, alongside shows like F1, Greyhound, and Highest 2 Lowest.

In the film The Gorge, skilled snipers Levi Kane (Miles Teller), a former Marine, and Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), a Lithuanian operative, are stationed at opposite ends of a secluded, highly classified gorge. They’re tasked with protecting the area from terrifying creatures—the result of genetic experiments gone wrong within the gorge. Cut off from each other, Levi and Drasa begin to communicate, eventually forming a strong connection despite strict orders against it.

The first part of The Gorge shows a rarely-seen dynamic as the characters are forced apart by the deep canyon that gives the film its name. While set in a post-pandemic world – a concept that could have felt very timely and impactful – the movie doesn’t quite deliver on its potential. The film boasts impressive visuals and strong performances from Teller and Taylor-Joy, but ultimately feels inconsistent in its focus.

The Gorge Couldn’t Decide What Kind of Movie It Wanted to Be

Okay, so The Gorge started with real promise – a genuinely interesting romance with a creepy horror edge. But honestly, things went downhill once Levi and Drasa actually headed into the gorge. That’s when it shifted focus to explaining the Hollow Men and the Darklake corporation, which, while informative, completely abandoned the movie’s more personal and intimate story. It’s a shame, because that initial focus was what drew me in, and it felt like it was just tossed aside.

Levi and Drasa discovered that Darklake was gathering mutated specimens, attempting to build an army of super-soldiers. Their escape from the gorge became a struggle against the Hollow Men, all while trying to trigger a nuclear explosion – codenamed Straydog – to obliterate the entire area. Unfortunately, the movie descended into increasingly unbelievable territory, losing its original spark and becoming predictable and boring. This ultimately led to a confusing and unsatisfying ending in The Gorge.

I just finished watching The Gorge, and honestly, I was left a little frustrated. The film sets up a meeting between Drasa and Levi in France after some dangerous assignments, and we do eventually see them reunite, but the story glosses over so much! We know Drasa escaped a perilous gorge, but Levi’s journey to France is a complete mystery – no explanation of where he’s been, how he got hurt, or even what happened to the gorge after it was blown up. It felt like the movie couldn’t decide if it wanted to be an action thriller, a romance, or something else entirely, and ultimately, it buckles under the pressure of trying to be too many things at once. It’s a shame, because the premise had potential, but the execution left me wanting more – and more clarity.

The Gorge Could Have Been Apple TV’s Best Romantic Horror Movie

Despite initial promise, The Gorge suffered from a confusing plot twist that led to a disappointing 62% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many viewers found the movie overcomplicated its science fiction ideas, relying too heavily on predictable monster movie clichés and feeling similar to a WWII video game. Though it briefly showed potential, The Gorge could have been a truly great film if it hadn’t strayed from its original vision.

The relationship between Levi and Drasa was the strongest part of The Gorge. Seeing them come up with unique ways to connect despite being separated was both fun and touching. If the movie had really focused on their connection, it could have been a truly original romantic horror film. Unfortunately, The Gorge ended up being a confusing and uninspired collection of tired tropes and predictable plot points.

The movie didn’t need to avoid science fiction altogether. It just felt strange that such a dramatic setting – the gorge – wasn’t used more directly to impact the characters. The gorge could have been a great way to deepen the connection between Levi and Drasa, challenge their relationship, or hint at bigger, more unusual things to come in future stories. Looking back, it’s clear The Gorge could have explored these possibilities to create a more compelling experience.

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2026-04-21 03:15