Apple is setting the stage for an exciting Valentine’s Day next year with its upcoming film The Gorge. Rather than competing with traditional date night plans or blockbuster releases like Captain America: Brave New World, Apple is betting on this unique blend of romance and suspense to allure audiences. Directed by Scott Derrickson, known for The Black Phone and Doctor Strange, the film promises an intriguing mix of genres that might make it the perfect choice for all pairings on this romantic holiday.
The Gorge stars Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick) and Anya Taylor-Joy (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) as Levi and Drasa, two elite snipers stationed on opposite sides of a massive gorge. Their governments task them with monitoring the area for an entire year to prevent an unspecified threat from escaping the chasm. Communication between the two is strictly prohibited, and they remain in the dark about the nature of the danger lurking below.
Despite these restrictions, the isolation and shared mission lead Levi and Drasa to defy orders and form a connection across the gorge, creating a unique long-distance bond. The situation takes a sinister turn when the mysterious force they are guarding against begins to emerge. Levi and Drasa are thrust into the gorge itself, forced to navigate its perils together.
The recently released trailer provides a glimpse into the film’s tone and aesthetic. Cinematographer Dan Laustsen, known for his work on Silent Hill, brings an atmospheric quality to the visuals, complementing Derrickson’s direction. The gorge, shrouded in fog, hints at Lovecraftian influences, with fleeting images of monstrous claws and foreboding landscapes. These design choices draw comparisons to films like Annihilation, offering a compelling visual identity. While the trailer offers only brief glimpses of the creatures lurking below, it builds anticipation effectively without revealing too much.
The cast also includes Sigourney Weaver, whose character appears to hold critical knowledge about the gorge’s secrets. With Weaver’s pedigree in the sci-fi and horror genres, her involvement adds nuance to the film’s ensemble.
Derrickson’s transition from supernatural horror to a more complex, genre-blending film marks a significant step in his career. With its mix of romance, suspense, and speculative fiction, The Gorge has the potential to stand out as a unique cinematic experience. Whether it succeeds in uniting these elements into a cohesive and satisfying story remains to be seen, but it certainly offers a promising premise that will attract a broad audience when it debuts on Apple TV+ next Valentine’s Day.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.
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Joey Leong
