The Gorge: What did Anna Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller say about their upcoming Valentine's day release? Details explored

The Gorge, a romance starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller, is set for a Valentine's Day release on Apple TV+. However, it isn't your conventional romance, only about two people falling head over heels over time. It is also a horror film that brings the elements of a survival thriller and has a handful of jaw-dropping action scenes.

During a recent interview, The Gorge stars revealed how they look at The Gorge, considering its February 14 release. Furiosa star Anya Taylor-Joy said:

"I think it's got something for everybody. I think whatever floats your boat, we probably have it in this movie. It's so many different genres and it's fun. I had a great time making it, and I think people will have a fun time watching it."

Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller further added:

"Well, I just think it's good alternative programming, as well, to your typical love story, and they meet each other for the first time, and you're going to watch 'em fall in love. But they have to go through some really entertaining, engaging, high-octane, hellacious s**t to end up with each other, so that's cool."

Let's dig deeper into how the film might differ from a typical love story.

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The Gorge: What can this Valentine's Day release offer to the audiences?

Valentine's Day is usually filled with romantic comedy releases where the fruition of two people's desires is the end-all and be-all. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but people might prefer different things.

According to the stars of The Gorge, their film has enough to offer to audiences of different kinds. At its core, it is a romance about two people gradually falling for each other. However, there is more than what meets the eye, which quite literally is the case in this Lovecraftian horror! The official synopsis reads:

"Two highly-trained operatives become close after being sent to protect opposite sides of a mysterious gorge. When an evil emerges, they must work together to survive what lies within."

The Gorge examines the horrors of the unknown. So, the mystery of the Gorge makes Anya Taylor-Joy's Drasa and Miles Teller's Levi cross paths with each other. These operatives are placed on opposite ends and are forbidden from communicating with the other side. However, they become each other's sole companions in their highly secretive missions.

As shown in the film's trailer, Drasa and Levi communicate through written messages and offer company in their challenging and rather solitary situation. They have drinks and play chess while looking at each other through binoculars from a distance. So, their bonding rituals make the film briefly appear like a wholesome rom-com. It shows them in the initial phases of a love story when a romance starts to blossom.

While that is true, they are still stuck on the two opposite sides of a deep hole that is considered a "gate to hell." So, a terrifying reality awaits them if they make any misstep. Of course, there is a usual will-they or won't-they tension similar to a traditional romance. However, it comes at odds with their goals and the horrifying situation they are in. They must survive this horror and come out of it for the sake of their missions.

As Taylor-Joy said in the interview, The Gorge has so many genres that "it's got something for everybody." Neither she nor Teller are new to the romance genre. Teller has worked in breezy love stories like The Spectacular Now (2013) and Two Night Stand (2014), while Taylor-Joy has starred in the Regency-era Emma. (2020). Scott Derrickson, who helms this project, has previously worked on horror films like The Black Phone (2021) and dabbled in action thriller with Doctor Strange (2016).

So, it looks like the concoction of all these talented voices can lead to a genre-bending romance that all kinds of audiences can enjoy.

The Gorge will debut on Apple TV+ on February 14, 2025.