The Gorge (2024) – A Missed Opportunity
The Gorge had all the makings of something special—a unique premise, a visually interesting world, and a story with real potential. Unfortunately, it never quite comes together the way it should. Instead of being a gripping, genre-blending experience, it ends up feeling disjointed, overlong, and painfully underwhelming.
A prominent issue is the chemistry between the leads (Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy). While there are moments where it works, there are others where it feels forced, making it hard to fully invest in their relationship. This is a big problem, especially in a film that relies on its emotional core to drive the story. When the stakes are high, you need to believe in the bond between main characters, but here, it feels more like something we’re told exists rather than something we truly feel swept up in.
It pains me to write this because both actors are standouts in their own right.
Beyond that, the pacing is another weak spot. The Gorge drags, stretching its runtime at least 20 minutes longer than it needs to be. There are moments of excitement, but they’re quickly forgotten because the film lacks a tightness to its cadence. At times, it seems to lose itself, struggling to maintain focus or momentum.
Then there are the creatures—one of the more baffling creative choices. Movies like It have shown how well-executed, nightmarish designs can elevate a film, but here, the creatures feel more like an afterthought. If a film is going to introduce something relatively new, it needs to hit a home run. Otherwise, what’s the point of deviating from the tried-and-true formula? For example, had the creatures been reimagined as zombies, the film might have felt more cohesive and impactful. Unfortunately, The Gorge swings and misses.
There are flashes of potential, but the film never fully capitalizes on them. Instead, it stumbles, leaving behind a movie that could have been great but ultimately falls flat.
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