We knew that Scott Derrickson’s directed horror-romance-thriller starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy as rival snipers falling in love while guarding a mysterious hell portal was coming, but it kind of snuck up on us yesterday. And let’s be clear—The Gorge is exactly the kind of genre-blending, wild ride we live for at Cocktails and Movies. This should have been on the big screen…
But, this is a movie-night event, a drink-in-hand, eyes-glued-to-the-screen, “holy sh*t, did that just happen?!” kind of film. It’s tense, thrilling, eerie as hell, but still manages to be unexpectedly romantic.
So, let’s break it down.
💥 Love, Duty, and Things That Shouldn’t Crawl Out of the Abyss
Levi (Miles Teller) and Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), are elite snipers stationed on opposite sides of a fog-drenched, ominous chasm known only as The Gorge. Their job? Shoot anything that tries to climb out of it. No one knows exactly what’s down there—demons, monsters, something worse—but one thing’s for sure: nothing gets past them alive.
At first, their only interactions are through rifle scopes and clipped radio transmissions, but as the days stretch into months, a bond forms. It starts as a professional respect, then turns into something deeper, something forbidden. Love shouldn’t be possible under these conditions, but that’s what makes it so damn compelling.
Their relationship is the beating heart of the film—a slow burn set against a backdrop of existential dread and cosmic horror. Sometimes you forget that you are watching a horror film.
🎬 Scott Derrickson Brings the Chills (and the Feels)
If Derrickson’s name sounds familiar, it should—he’s the mind behind The Black Phone and Sinister, two of the most unsettling horror films in recent memory. But The Gorge isn’t just horror—it’s genre-blending at its finest.
Derrickson does a great job fusing horror, action, and romance, delivering a film that keeps you on edge while still making you care deeply about the characters. The way he plays with suspense, isolation, and deep, eerie silencemakes every sniper shot feel like a life-or-death moment.
And then there’s humor. Just when things start getting too heavy, The Gorge surprises with moments of gallows humor and sharp dialogue, giving the film a much-needed breath between the tension.
🔥 A Visually Stunning Descent into Madness
The production design? Top-tier. The gorge itself is a character, shifting and pulsing with an otherworldly menace. Levi’s and Drasa’s sniper towers are bleak, utilitarian, and isolated—a stark contrast to the bond forming between them. Every visual choice adds to the film’s moody, hypnotic atmosphere.
And let’s not forget the score by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross—because when you need eerie, moody, and unforgettable music, these guys deliver. Their soundscape adds an almost haunting beauty to The Gorge, making every scene even more immersive.
🎭 A Cast That Knows How to Make You Feel Everything
💥 Miles Teller gives Levi an emotional depth that makes him more than just a tough-guy sniper. He’s funny, charming, and absolutely wrecked by his growing love for Drasa.
💥 Anya Taylor-Joy is magnetic as Drasa, bringing both lethal precision and aching vulnerability to her role.
💥 And then there’s Sigourney Weaver, who shows up and reminds everyone why she’s a legend. She doesn’t just steal scenes—she OWNS them.
No eerie, high-concept thriller is complete without the perfect score, and once again, Trent Reznor and Atticus Rossprove why they’re the undisputed kings of unsettling, atmospheric soundtracks.
Their score for The Gorge doesn’t just underscore the tension—it wraps around it, amplifies it, and lingers long after the scene fades. From the haunting synth swells that echo through the fog-covered abyss to the pulse-pounding percussive beats that ramp up every sniper showdown, their music is both eerily subtle and emotionally devastating.
What makes their work so effective is that it never overpowers the film. Instead, it seeps into the cracks of every moment, making the quiet stretches feel heavier, the romance feel more fragile, and the horror feel absolutely inescapable. The way their music builds and shifts with Levi and Drasa’s story adds an otherworldly layer of uneasethat you don’t just hear—you feel it.
🔥 Final takeaway?
This is a score that doesn’t just sit in the background—it becomes part of The Gorge itself. If you weren’t already sweating from the suspense, Reznor and Ross will make sure you are. 🎧💀
🔥 Why The Gorge is a Must-Watch (and a Must-Drink-With) Movie
Some movies hit you in the brain with their high-concept ideas. Some movies hit you in the heart with unexpected emotion. And then there are movies like The Gorge, which do both while also unnerving the hell out of you.
It’s a horror movie. It’s a love story. It’s a psychological thriller. It’s the kind of film you watch with the lights off, the volume up, and a cocktail in hand.
🍸 Speaking of cocktails… enjoy “The Bulletproof Love Cocktail,” inspired by this movie
