The Gorge movie review & film summary (2025)

Category: Film Review

Scott Derrickson’s 'The Gorge' is a B-movie that combines action, horror, sci-fi, and romance, featuring elite snipers guarding a gorge that may be a portal to Hell. The film struggles with pacing but shines in its action sequences and character dynamics, particularly between the leads, Levi and Drasa. Despite a weak opening, it delivers a chaotic and entertaining experience reminiscent of classic genre films.

Keywords: The Gorge, Scott Derrickson, B-movie

Source: Roger Ebert

Update At: 2/14/2025

Related Sources

Trap Review: M. Night Shyamalan’s Best-Engineered Work Since The Village

M. Night Shyamalan's latest film, Trap, showcases his unique storytelling abilities by placing the audience in the perspective of a serial killer, creating a tense and engaging narrative. The film marks a significant return for actor Josh Hartnett and highlights Shyamalan's skill in building suspense and emotional depth, despite some narrative weaknesses in the latter part. Overall, Trap is a compelling addition to Shyamalan's oeuvre, blending horror with psychological insight.

The Film Stage

Movie Review: Josh Hartnett goes big as the serial killer in M. Night Shyamalan’s 'Trap'

M. Night Shyamalan's film 'Trap' features a seemingly normal dad who is actually a brutal serial killer, set against the backdrop of a Taylor Swift-like concert. The film is entertaining yet silly, with a strong performance from Josh Hartnett as the conflicted protagonist. It explores themes of identity and deception but lacks the depth of Shyamalan's earlier works. 'Trap' is a popcorn movie that offers fun without significant discussion points.

The Associated Press

‘Trap’ Review: Josh Hartnett Plays a Serial Killer in an M. Night Shyamalan Thriller Where Each Twist is More Contrived Than the Last

M. Night Shyamalan's new film 'Trap' features a serial killer attending a concert, blending thriller elements with absurd contrivances. The story follows Cooper, a father and killer, as he navigates a police trap at a pop concert, leading to implausible twists and a critique of the film's logic and emotional depth.

Variety

Trap movie review & film summary (2024) | Roger Ebert

Shyamalan's film 'Trap' fails to fully utilize Hartnett's performance, presenting Cooper as merely lucky rather than a genius. The thriller's concert setting lacks depth, and the cinematography focuses too much on screens rather than the live performance, resulting in a lackluster experience. Despite its originality in a market dominated by franchises, 'Trap' feels ultimately disposable.

Roger Ebert

Does M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Trap’ Have An End Credits Scene?

M. Night Shyamalan's new psychological thriller 'Trap' features Josh Hartnett as Cooper, a father who is secretly a serial killer attending a concert. The film includes an end credits scene that hints at a possible sequel while wrapping up a subplot involving a concert vendor who realizes he aided the killer.

Forbes

'Trap' lacks the heft of some of M. Night Shyamalan’s best films, but none of the thrills

M. Night Shyamalan's film 'Trap' features a father, Cooper, who is secretly a serial killer attending a concert with his daughter. The film blends suspense with pop culture, showcasing the tension between Cooper's dual life and his daughter's fandom for the concert's star, Lady Raven. While it lacks the depth of Shyamalan's recent works, it offers a mix of humor and horror, culminating in unexpected twists.

EW.com

‘Trap’ Review: A Wily Josh Hartnett Propels M. Night Shyamalan’s Moderately Entertaining Thriller

M. Night Shyamalan's film 'Trap' combines a concert movie with a thriller, featuring Josh Hartnett as Cooper, a father entangled in a sting operation at a concert for his daughter’s favorite pop star, Lady Raven. The film explores themes of family and identity while incorporating suspenseful elements and a unique perspective on celebrity culture. Despite its inventive premise, the film struggles with pacing and maintaining tension throughout.

Hollywood Reporter

‘Trap’ Review: Josh Hartnett Tries Hard, But He Can’t Save M. Night Shyamalan’s Convoluted Serial Killer Thriller

M. Night Shyamalan's latest film, Trap, features a convoluted plot involving a father, Cooper, who is secretly a serial killer attending a concert with his daughter. The film struggles with logic and credibility, despite strong performances, particularly from Josh Hartnett and Shyamalan's daughter, Saleka, who plays the fictional Lady Raven. The film's absurdity escalates as Cooper's dual life unravels, showcasing Shyamalan's tendency for twists that often disappoint.

Deadline

‘Trap’ Review: Josh Hartnett Steals The Show In Latest M. Night Shyamalan Thriller

M. Night Shyamalan's latest film, Trap, is a fun and chaotic serial killer story featuring Josh Hartnett in a standout performance. The film follows Cooper, a serial killer attending a concert with his daughter while trying to evade capture by the FBI. Shyamalan's direction and Hartnett's charisma drive the narrative, which embraces its over-the-top premise without taking itself too seriously.

Dread Central

‘Trap’ Review: M. Night Shyamalan Ensnares Josh Hartnett in Fiendishly Clever Thriller

In M. Night Shyamalan's film 'Trap', a firefighter named Cooper, who is secretly a serial killer known as 'The Butcher', must navigate a crowded venue filled with police while trying to escape without being caught. The film cleverly subverts typical thriller tropes, focusing on unexpected character decisions and a gripping narrative that keeps the audience engaged despite some logical inconsistencies.

TheWrap