Have You Seen The Gorge on Apple TV? Binge Later.
Apple TV's "The Gorge" had all the ingredients for a thrilling Valentine’s Day release: monsters, romance, and just enough melodrama to make us swoon—on paper, at least. The premise is gold. East meets West as two secretive forces patrol a gate to Hell. The potential for mythological chaos and supernatural suspense is unmatched. But does it live up to the promise? Let’s dig in.
What’s Good?
Straightforward Monster Fun with Romance Sprinkled In “The Gorge” leans into the Valentine’s Day vibe, throwing in love poems and February 14th references to keep the SEO algorithm happy. It's a sweet gesture that fits the romantic subtext, but it doesn’t dominate the plot. For much of the runtime, it’s a proper monster story: gritty battles, tense patrols, and a creeping dread that keeps the gates of Hell looming large in the background.
An Epic Concept The East/West secret partnership to guard a literal gate to Hell is as compelling as it gets. The duality between duty and danger is a perfect metaphor for star-crossed lovers, and the film toys with the idea of what happens when personal feelings collide with a larger purpose.
Hints of Claustrophobic Action The film builds moments of tension where no modern weapon, no amount of ammunition, feels sufficient against the supernatural. These scenes evoke a visceral thrill that taps into the fear of fighting the unknown—something humanity can’t logically defeat.
Spoiler Alert: The Letdown
Here’s where “The Gorge” stumbles: the big reveal.
The monsters? Plant-soldier hybrids left over from World War II experiments. Yup, those terrifying demons guarding Hell’s gate are just botched bio-weapons. Sure, it’s plausible, but it’s the kind of grounded explanation that deflates the supernatural intrigue.
The ending? A cheesy, happily-ever-after bow on a story that spent most of its runtime convincing us it was going to go dark. For a movie about love and monsters, it feels like neither is truly earned.
Instead of fully committing to a tragic, star-crossed dynamic (à la Romeo and Juliet with monsters), the movie opts to tie things up neatly. Imagine if the leads were infected or forced to fight each other to complete their missions—that could’ve hit harder. But no, “The Gorge” pulls its punches, leaving us with a safe, somewhat hollow resolution.
Binge Now, Binge Later, or Binge Never?
This one lands in the Binge Later camp.
If you’re looking for something darker, sexier, and more dramatic with real stakes, consider 2017’s Cold Skin. It’s a tense, violent standoff between lighthouse keepers and an endless wave of fish-like creatures, filled with genuine romance and tragedy.
But if you’re in the mood for lighter monster fare with a love story stitched in (and can forgive a disappointing reveal), “The Gorge” is a decent one-off. Just temper your expectations—it’s not the Hell-gate epic you might be hoping for.
Final Verdict: Binge Later.
