Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Gorge! Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller co-star in The Gorge, the latest horror movie from director Scott Derrickson, which features clever callbacks to two of the leads’ notable roles. Alongside Taylor-Joy and Teller, Sigourney Weaver is another prominent member of the cast, particularly considering the movie’s isolated setting.
In The Gorge, elite snipers Drasa (Taylor-Joy) and Levi (Teller) are primarily tasked with combating creatures known as Hollow Men after being enlisted for a top-secret mission. As they navigate the dangers of the gorge, their greatest challenges stem from their own loneliness. After two months of spying through high-powered binoculars, Drasa officially makes contact with Levi. They begin communicating through written messages, celebrating Drasa’s birthday before the celebration is interrupted by an attack from the Hollow Men. Despite disobeying orders, the duo continues their correspondence across the gorge in the weeks that follow.
The film culminates in a rather unconventional romance as the couple eventually ends up together, highlighted by their unique interactions prior to meeting face-to-face. When the calendar flips to December, Drasa plays a melancholy Christmas tune on the piano from her guard tower while Levi attempts to cheer her up. Levi crafts his version of a Christmas tree, and the two build snowmen representing each other. This sequence of interactions not only showcases their creativity but also pays homage to Taylor-Joy and Teller’s past iconic roles in The Queen’s Gambit and Whiplash.
Taylor-Joy, who portrayed chess prodigy Beth Harmon in The Queen’s Gambit, earned an Emmy Award for her outstanding performance. Conversely, Teller gained recognition for his role in the Oscar-nominated film Whiplash, which tells the intense story of a jazz drummer. Following their makeshift game of chess in The Gorge, Drasa and Levi create their own drum sets, referencing Teller’s character Andrew Neiman in yet another clever tribute.
Anya Taylor-Joy is no stranger to horror films, yet surprisingly, The Gorge marks Miles Teller’s first venture into the genre. Although both stars have upcoming projects that vary widely from Scott Derrickson’s flick, fans of their work have much to look forward to. Currently, Taylor-Joy is filming an adventure comedy titled Sacrifice alongside Chris Evans, but her most anticipated project is undoubtedly Dune Part 3, where she is expected to reprise her role as Alia Atreides. Furthermore, she is returning to Apple TV+ for the drama Lucky, which also features Timothy Olyphant and Annette Bening.
On the other hand, Teller’s next release follows The Gorge, coming in late 2025, where he will portray John Branca in the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic. He also lends his voice to the animated feature The Ark and the Aardvark and has roles in the upcoming films Eternity, a romantic comedy with Elizabeth Olsen, Wild Game, a crime thriller, and a project about cyclist Gino Bartali, in addition to another installment of Top Gun: Maverick.
While it’s uncertain whether The Gorge will receive its own sequel, the survival of Drasa and Levi at the close of the film leaves that door open. However, the demanding schedules of Taylor-Joy and Teller may complicate any potential follow-up. Nevertheless, their ongoing projects promise more exciting endeavors for both stars, showcasing their talents in a variety of genres.
