The Gorge movie review by Movie Review Mom

MOVIE TITLE:    The Gorge

This dramatic horror/romance is now playing on Apple TV+.

RATING:    PG-13

LENGTH:   2 hours 7 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE:  B

SPONSOR of Today’s movie review:

Because T. S. Eliot is quoted quite a bit in the film, I thought you’d like this book of his poetry!

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Two highly-trained operatives are appointed to posts in guard towers on opposite sides of a vast and highly classified gorge, protecting the world from an undisclosed, mysterious evil that lurks within. They bond from a distance while trying to stay vigilant in defending against an unseen enemy. When the cataclysmic threat to humanity is revealed to them, they must work together in a test of both their physical and mental strength to keep the secret in the gorge before it’s too late.

The film was directed by Scott Derrickson.  Writing credits go to Zach Dean.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• Profanity
• Violence with blood
• Kissing that we assume leads to other things but we don’t see anything else.
• We see the naked backside of a man.
• Talk of suicide
• Scary monster people and creatures
• Tons of destruction

THEMES:

• Government control & coverups
• Truth
• Mercenaries
• The art of the perfect shot
• Biochemicals
• Choosing your own life and death
• Romance

THINGS I LIKED:

• I really like both of the talented leads: Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy.  They have both put out some incredible films in their young careers and have palpable chemistry together. There’s a cute Christmas scene that shows a montage of fun things the two main characters do such as play chess (referencing Taylor-Joy’s Golden Globe-winning role in The Queen’s Gambit) and playing drums (referencing Teller’s Odyssey Award-winning role in Whiplash). Those were both great films/series.
• To top off the cast, we also get Academy Award winner Sigourney Weaver.
• The story blends mystery, romance, sci-fi horror and some action.
• It’s said that certain elements were inspired by the Polish painter Zdzislaw Beksinski.
• The movie was filmed in Teesdale, County Durham in England.  The fantastic movie 1917 was also filmed nearby at Low Houses.
• The setting is intriguing and mysterious with lots of atmospheric fog, rain, candles, and spooky darkness.
• Great musical score and sound effects.
• The special effects, especially that of the “creatures” is terrific and extremely creative.
• The creepy set designs keep you guessing, filled with tension the entire time.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• Don’t overthink any of this and you’ll get a kick out of it.
• I like Apple TV+ but this would have been great to see on the big screen in theaters.
• A lot of action scenes occur at night or in the dark gorge, making it difficult to see what’s happening.

FUNNY LINES:

•  “I’ll have the rabbit pie.” – Levi  (Miles Teller)

INTERESTING LINES:

• “Give it to me.  Give me your shame.” –  Erikas   (William Houston)
• “J.D. What do you think’s really going on here?” –  Levi  (Miles Teller)   “Well, the theory I think summarizes the situation most succinctly is the Gorge is the door to hell and we’re standing guard at the gate.” – Jasper (J.D.) Drake  (Sope Dirisu)
• There actually quite a lot of inspirational quotes written by famous writers that characters recite.
• “Drasa, you don’t want to know the truth.  It’s better if you don’t know.” – Erikas  (William Houston)    The name “Drasa” means “courage” in Lithuanian. Drasa’s father calls her a “little lion”.
• “Too much truth puts sadness in your heart and madness in your mind.” – Drasa quoting her father
• “I can’t compartmentalize the way I used to.” – Levi (Miles Teller)
• “You bury enough secrets, the graveyard runs out of room.” –  Levi  (Miles Teller)

MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

• Love and Monsters:  https://moviereviewmom.com/love-and-monsters-movie-review-by-movie-review-mom/
• Oblivion:  https://amzn.to/4gQ1PKb
• The Adam Project: https://moviereviewmom.com/the-adam-project-movie-review/

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