The Gorge (2025)

Detailed Summary

Guarding the Unknown

Two elite snipers—Levi (Miles Teller), a U.S. Marine veteran wrestling with PTSD, and Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), a Lithuanian covert operative—are stationed on opposite sides of a remote, top-secret gorge. Each is isolated, with the sole mission: shoot anything—or anyone—that emerges from the depth below. Levi’s predecessor warns that this gorge might be “a gateway to hell,” setting ominous expectations early on.

Forbidden Connection Across the Chasm

Despite strict orders, Levi and Drasa find ways to communicate—handwritten notes, shared music—forming a surprisingly cute yet rule-breaking bond. Fans caught a wink from their past: Taylor-Joy playing chess (echoing The Queen’s Gambit) and Teller air-drumming (Whiplash)—originally in the script but nearly removed by the actors.

Descent into the Abyss

Their flirtation turns perilous when Drasa uses a zip line to cross the gorge for a romantic encounter. Levi’s side triggers buried mines, sending him plunging into the gorge. Drasa immediately jumps in with a parachute for the rescue.

The Gorge’s Dark Secret

Inside, they discover old WWII-era uniforms and a hidden lab. A leaked chemical weapon experiment from decades ago mutated inhabitants into grotesque creatures known as the “Hollow Men.” The site is maintained by the private defense firm Darklake, which aims to harness these mutations for super-soldier development.

Desperate Escape Plan

Levi and Drasa commandeer an old Jeep, towing themselves out of the abyss while fending off Hollow Men. They sabotage the cloaking system hiding the gorge, triggering “Straydog”—a self-destruct nuclear protocol to incinerate everything within the gorge.

Movie Ending

Levi and Drasa escape—but are separated in the chaos. Drasa completes a quarantine period and heads to France to meet Levi. He’s absent for a while, then appears with a heartfelt explanation: an injury delayed him, and he’s left her a poem marked “If I don’t make it, open at sunset.” They reunite in a sweet embrace and kiss, suggesting they’ll build a life together beyond the horrors they survived.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

There is no known post-credits scene. Sources that catalog such stingers list “The Gorge” status as unknown, and fan comments don’t report any surprise scenes after the credits. So stay till the end if you like credits, but don’t expect any cinematic Easter egg.

Type of Movie

A genre-blender: sci-fi romantic action horror. It fuses an isolated lovers-in-peril romance with creature-horror and conspiracy thriller elements.

Cast

• Miles Teller as Levi Kane
• Anya Taylor-Joy as Drasa
• Sigourney Weaver as Bartholomew (their mysterious handler)
• Sope Dirisu as J.D., Levi’s predecessor
• William Houston as Erikas (Drasa’s father)

Film Music and Composer

The score is by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, underlining tension with a techno-heavy, atmospheric tone.

Filming Locations

Details on exact filming sites aren’t widely shared, but The Gorge was produced by Skydance and Apple TV+, with high-quality studio and VFX work—likely filmed on sound stages or controlled environments. No on-location credits published.

Awards and Nominations

No major awards reported. Wikipedia and IMDb don’t list nominations or wins. It’s primarily a streaming release with modest reception.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The chess and drumming nods to Queen’s Gambit and Whiplash were in from the start—even though the actors initially tried to cut them.
• Director Scott Derrickson says the film impacted audiences deeply—Aubrey Plaza, for instance, found it emotionally resonant while grieving.

Inspirations and References

No declared inspirations beyond the actors’ previous roles. Concept echoes Cold-War isolation thrillers and horror-sci-fi fare, like Resident Evil or Annihilation—as critics noted.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No publicly known alternate endings or deleted scenes have surfaced.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Not based on a book—it’s an original screenplay by Zach Dean. There is no source material to compare it to.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The silent communication across the gorge (notes, music).
• Levi’s zip-line romance and Drasa’s parachute dive—romantic, daring, and ill-advised.
• Discovery of the Hidden Lab and the Hollow Men—horrifying reveal.

Iconic Quotes

• J.D.: “This gorge might be the gates of hell.” (Sets dread early.)
• Poetic sign-off: Levi’s envelope “If I don’t make it, open at sunset.” (Works like a romantic heartbeat.)

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Chess and drumming echo the leads’ signature roles.
• The “Straydog” protocol activation recalls classic nuclear-blast horror tropes.

Trivia

• The screenplay made the 2020 Black List for best unproduced scripts.
• Released Valentine’s Day 2025—clearly targeting date-night viewers.
• Critics praised visuals and score but criticized tonal inconsistencies and romance-heavy focus.

Why Watch?

• If you enjoy genre mash-ups with sparkly production values, isolated romance, creature scares, and a touch of absurdity, this is your popcorn flick.
• Great chemistry between Teller and Taylor-Joy anchors the quirkiness.
• A surprisingly emotional undercurrent—enough to make even grief feel cinematic.

Director’s Other Movies (Scott Derrickson)

• Doctor Strange (2016)
• The Black Phone (2021)
• Sinister (2012)
• Deliver Us from Evil (2014)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Annihilation (2018)
• The Invitation (2015)
• Resident Evil (2002)
• Joint Security Area (2000)