*Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Gorge.*
Apple TV fans have spotted two hidden references in the new Anya Taylor-Joy film, The Gorge.
Released on February 14, the thriller has already won over viewers, with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes giving it a 77% rating.
The story follows elite snipers Levi (Miles Teller) and Drasa (Taylor-Joy), who are tasked with guarding either end of a mysterious canyon.
Although the duo are working on the same mission, they are forbidden from communicating. However, they quickly break the rule and start speaking by writing on placards.
As viewers tuned into the new release, they flocked to social media to share clever references they spotted in the thriller.
In a scene where the duo are trying to keep themselves entertained, they play chess together. Taylor-Joy’s character is seen holding up signs to indicate her moves on the board. Fans have theorised that the brief moment could be a nod to her breakout role in Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit.
In the 2020 drama, she portrays chess prodigy Beth Harmon, who sets out to be the greatest player in the world. The limited drama was a critical success and earned Taylor-Joy a Golden Globe Award for the Best Actress in a miniseries.
Shortly after the duo play chess, they start playing makeshift drums opposite each other. Audiences have noted that this could be a homage to Teller’s role in the Oscar-winning film, Whiplash.
Released in 2014, the Damien Chazelle feature sees Teller as a music prodigy determined to perfect his craft. Similar to Taylor-Joy’s Beth Harmon, his character faces challenges on his quest for greatness.
Viewers took to social media to gush about the discovery. On X, formerly Twitter, one person expressed: “The way I was kicking my feet when they did that.” A second person chimed in: “Oh I’m obsessed.” While a third penned: “I really enjoyed this call back!”
A fourth fan confessed: “I didn’t even notice omg that’s so f****** cold.” (sic)
Although viewers are thrilled with the Easter eggs, Teller recently revealed that the homages were completely coincidental.
Speaking about the scene, he told CNN Brazil: “People are gonna watch this film and they’re gonna think that’s [the homage scene] like a vanity thing [but] that was in the script before we were even cast.”
The Top Gun: Maverick actor went on to share that Levi was originally written as a drum player and Drasa as a chess player, before the acting duo were even considered for the roles.
The Gorge is streaming now on Apple TV+
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