The Gorge (2025) is a sci-fi romantic action film directed by Scott Derrickson, featuring Miles Teller as Levi Kane and Anya Taylor-Joy as Drasa. Both are elite snipers from opposing nations, assigned to guard opposite sides of a mysterious, top-secret gorge that conceals monstrous entities known as the “Hollow Men.” Their mission is to prevent these creatures from escaping, with strict orders prohibiting any communication between them. Despite this, the isolation leads them to form a bond, initially through silent gestures and eventually through direct interaction. Their relationship deepens over time, culminating in a romantic connection that defies their orders. โ
As their assignment progresses, a breach occurs when Levi’s return to his post is thwarted by an attack from the Hollow Men, causing him to fall into the gorge. Drasa, determined to save him, descends into the gorge, where they uncover the horrifying truth: the Hollow Men are mutated remnants of soldiers from past missions, victims of a failed World War II bioweapons experiment. The gorge’s environment has been corrupted by a contaminant leak, leading to grotesque mutations in all forms of life within. They also discover that a private defense corporation, Darklake, has been exploiting the site for unethical experiments aimed at creating super soldiers. โ
Realizing the extent of the corruption and the threat it poses, Levi and Drasa decide to expose the truth. They disable the cloaking devices hiding the gorge, triggering a self-destruct protocol known as “Straydog,” which results in a nuclear explosion that destroys the site and eliminates the monstrous entities. Drasa survives the ordeal and, after a period of uncertainty, reunites with an injured but alive Levi in France. Their reunion signifies hope and the possibility of a new beginning after the harrowing events they’ve endured. โ
The Gorge blends elements of romance, action, and science fiction, exploring themes of isolation, forbidden love, and the consequences of unethical scientific experimentation. The film’s atmospheric tension and character-driven narrative offer a unique take on the genre, though it has received mixed reviews for its execution. Nonetheless, the performances of Teller and Taylor-Joy provide emotional depth to this tale of love and survival against overwhelming odds. โ