Gorge Director Scott Derrickson discusses Miles Teller's commitment and the unexpected aspects of Anya Taylor-Joy.

      Scott Derrickson, the director of the new Apple TV+ film The Gorge, is primarily recognized for his work in horror films that he co-writes, including titles such as The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister, and The Black Phone. When he undertakes a project that he hasn’t written himself, such as The Gorge, there is one key element he seeks in a script.

      “I’m looking to be surprised,” he shares with MovieMaker.

      The Gorge features Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller as assassins tasked with safeguarding a mysterious gorge, and the screenplay is penned by Zach Dean (Fast X, The Tomorrow War), blending romance, comedy, sci-fi, and horror. Sigourney Weaver also stars in the film.

      “I am like many seasoned moviegoers nowadays; I desire something original, something I haven't encountered before,” Derrickson explains. “Especially when discussing a big budget. In this instance, it wasn’t part of a franchise, no sequels, and it wasn’t based on existing IP. It was an original narrative, which greatly appealed to me.”

      Teller portrays the reserved Levi, while Taylor-Joy plays the more emotionally available Drasa. The film utilized the augmented reality tool Cyclops to visualize computer-generated imagery in real time, streamlining the production process.

      “Cyclops allows you to treat virtual reality as if it were physical reality, with all of the compositional and lens choices you must consider,” Derrickson states.

      We had a conversation with Scott Derrickson about maintaining engaging shots, Miles Teller’s disciplined dedication, and Anya Taylor-Joy’s daring choices.

      Sonya Alexander: How did the script for The Gorge come to you?

      Scott Derrickson: It was forwarded to me by David Ellison, CEO of Skydance Media, along with his team. I had a long-standing relationship with their chief creative officer, Dana Goldberg. She sent it to me and expressed their desire for me to direct.

      Sonya Alexander: You shot much of the film on location in the U.K., correct? What challenges come with shooting in real locations?

      Scott Derrickson: It’s always more challenging. It’s cold, and you often find yourself trudging up muddy inclines. … We filmed a lot outside, which can be quite grueling. However, this approach provides a level of realism to the film, giving it a tangible feel as it is grounded in a real location.

      Sonya Alexander: Do you have a preference for shooting during the day or at night?

      Scott Derrickson: Generally, everyone prefers daytime filming. [Laughs.] My experience shows that the crew tends to be less efficient at night — they work about a third slower. There's not much that can be done about that.

      Sonya Alexander: Is there a difference in preparing for a film meant for streaming versus one for theatrical release?

      Scott Derrickson: Yes. I wasn't entirely sure which direction it was going initially; there were discussions regarding both. I crafted the film so it could succeed in either format. The primary distinction is that you tend to incorporate more close-ups for streaming, considering that many viewers will watch on smaller devices, which is not comparable to a theatrical experience.

      For this film, I shot it in 1.85:1 aspect ratio, partly so it would function well in either context. We’re set to premiere it in a theater here in L.A., and I anticipate that. But I also ensured that nothing is compromised for home viewing, as I aimed for it to deliver a fulfilling cinematic experience on small screens.

      Sonya Alexander: Do you prepare differently for scripts that you haven’t written?

      Scott Derrickson: Yes. Preparing for those takes significantly more effort. You must read them multiple times and truly absorb the material. I had a previous experience where it didn’t go well, so for this project, I read it repeatedly and engaged in substantial rewriting until I felt I understood it as if it were my own.

      When you write something, it's instinctive; you’ve created it, so it's ingrained in your mind. You can visualize the film right away. When working from another person’s vision, you start from scratch, which requires more dedication.

      Sonya Alexander: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Drasa and Levi’s characters?

      Scott Derrickson: What’s compelling about them is that they both exhibit a certain loneliness. However, Levi possesses a more profound emptiness because he lacked what Drasa had—a close relationship with her father, who assisted her in navigating the moral complexities of her profession.

      The moment when he says, “Give me your shame,” while taking the cartridge from her is one of the more poignant moments in Zach's script. Drasa demonstrates greater character strength and confidence, contributing positively to Levi’s life, which is evidently rooted in her relationship with her father.

      Levi had a close link with his father, but details remain undisclosed since he kept them private.

      Sonya Alexander