Critics Have Seen The Gorge, And They Say This ‘Painfully Predictable’ Genre Mashup Isn’t As Deep As It Thinks It Is

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If you enjoy a blend of romance, horror, and science fiction on Valentine’s Day, you might want to keep an eye out for “The Gorge“. Directed by Scott Derrickson, this film is set to release on February 14th, 2025. In the trailer, it appears to depict two snipers guarding seemingly the entrances to hell in a place called “The Gorge“. Some critics have already had the chance to preview the movie before its premiere for Apple TV+ subscribers. Let’s see what they think.

Miles Teller headlines his initial blockbuster following “Top Gun: Maverick,” while Anya Taylor-Joy has thrived in recent years with films like “The Menu,” “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” and “Dune: Part Two.” Unlike these titles, “The Gorge” offers a unique blend of sci-fi horror action and romantic comedy, making it fitting for a Valentine’s Day release. However, with its numerous elements, is it resonating with critics? David Ehrlich of IndieWire argues that “The Gorge” falls short in realizing a promising concept, instead becoming routine and superficial. He awards it a C, stating in his review:

35 minutes into the film, we get a clear glimpse of the creatures attempting to ascend from beneath the surface. Just one look is enough to spark disinterest in their origins for some viewers. However, The Gorge finds itself intrigued rather than disenchanted. In fact, the movie underestimates the fascination it generates towards its monstrous inhabitants and their environment. The plot becomes tedious when our protagonists descend into the Gorge and uncover the truth about what their governments have been concealing.

According to Dan Jolin from Empire, the film “The Gorge” receives a moderate rating of 3 out of 5 stars. He suggests that it’s most effectively enjoyed as an unconventional love story. However, he advises viewers not to overanalyze or take the movie too literally.

The horror and action aspects are powerfully suspenseful (like those creepy skull-spiders!), but marred slightly by subpar CGI and a somewhat anticlimactic explanation about the canyon itself. However, Zach Dean’s script does stumble occasionally: after barely escaping a terrifying monster encounter, Taylor-Joy comments, “That was so surreal.” Well, it certainly was! Nonetheless, let me remind you: this movie is not meant to be taken too seriously.

Some critics believe that the strength of the story lies in the romantic aspect, but Tyler Nichols from JoBlo feels that the chemistry between Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy is lacking. Instead, he argues that the film should have delved deeper into the gorge’s mysterious horrors rather than concentrating on the romance. According to him, this movie can be more enjoyable if you choose to ignore its plot complexities, as he puts it.

Fundamentally, The Gorge leaves an impression of being ‘been through it before.’ It might have thrived as a miniseries, allowing for deeper exploration of human moments and more expansive world development. Instead, the narrative comes off as typical, the characters lack depth, and the love story falls flat. At every juncture, it seems they opt for a well-trodden route rather than blazing a new trail. Despite the initial intrigue, this production may get lost amidst the vast array of recent releases.

Although Therese Lacson of Collider praises The Gorge as an enjoyable mix of dynamic action sequences, a sweet love story, and monsters that are downright disgusting, she still rates it only 4 out of 10. This is due to the fact that, despite its appeal, the film’s action is painfully predictable, making it less satisfying for those seeking more depth. In her words: “The Gorge might be enough for viewers looking for a typical popcorn movie with romance and action, but the overly predictable action sequences don’t make up for its lack of originality.

I never felt the slightest bit intrigued about what lay at the bottom of the canyon, since people who frequently watch movies can easily piece together the puzzle in no time. The clues are all laid out and instead of letting the audience figure it out, every solution is handed to them with a convenient escape route so the characters can move on to the next stage. In many aspects, The Canyon resembles a video game more than a movie. However, this isn’t meant as a compliment. Certain scenes seem like predictable gaming sequences where characters transition from cut scenes to action mode. Wounds heal quickly, impossible tasks miraculously become achievable, and there’s no escape until there suddenly is one when you reach a new location.

In agreement with its entertaining qualities, IGN’s A.A. Dowd rates the film as “Good,” scoring it a 7 out of 10. He advocates that the movie, titled The Gorge, deserved a chance to be shown on the big screen. The critic’s argument is clearly stated in his review.

Initially, the first hour resembles a romantic comedy precariously balanced above a fiery abyss, offering a level of depth and originality not found in what follows. Despite the shift towards conventional action sequences reminiscent of a chase, ‘The Gorge’ maintains an engaging quality due to Derrickson’s vibrant direction and a retro-futuristic score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross that echoes the 1950s. In its least impressive moments as a genre production, it continues to demonstrate qualities deserving of a theatrical release, even though Apple chose not to grant it one.

Several reviewers are noting the predictability of the storyline and how the film “The Gorge” seems like two distinct films. Consequently, it’s almost certain that they would favor one over the other. Despite receiving average reviews, if this movie piques your interest enough to watch, you can catch it from Friday, February 14 onwards. Don’t forget to explore other great movies available on Apple TV+ as well during your viewing time.

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2025-02-13 23:37