A pulse-racing new thriller has arrived on Netflix just in time for the weekend, offering viewers an adrenaline-fuelled experience that critics are calling 'spectacular'. The film, titled Apex, stars Hollywood icons Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton in a gripping cat-and-mouse game set against the harsh Australian wilderness.
Plot and Performances
Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, known for Beast and Everest, Apex follows Theron as Sasha, an intrepid rock climber whose challenging trek across the Outback takes a dangerous turn when she encounters Ben, an unhinged hunter played by Taron Egerton. What ensues is a 90-minute thrill ride through perilous climbs, deadly rapids, and unforgiving terrain, as Sasha fights to survive against one of Netflix's most sadistic villains in recent memory.
Critics have heaped praise on the film. The Wall Street Journal lauded Theron for delivering 'the most athletically demanding performance of her action-movie career'. Variety described the film as a 'short, taut, [and] spectacularly shot thriller' and argued it deserved a cinematic release, noting that 'this film's natural habitat is the cinema' where audiences can 'shriek in unison'.
Critical Acclaim
Empire gave Apex four stars, calling it 'a really handsomely made bit of schlock'. The review highlighted Egerton's performance as a 'canny bit of casting in a rare villain role', noting how the Welsh actor transforms his natural charisma into something 'sinister and terrifying'. Theron was described as 'completely commanding', with her role likened to her brilliant performance in Mad Max: Fury Road. The final verdict: 'Just a solidly made cat-and-mouse thriller, with muscularly committed performances from its two leads. It'll make you want to explore the Great Outdoors and simultaneously never leave your house again.'
IGN agreed, stating: 'Theron crafts a relatable and grounded performance bolstered with emotional sensitivity and physical prowess, while Taron Egerton proves his worth as a weirdly menacing antagonist.'
Streaming Details
Apex is now available to stream on Netflix. For those without a subscription, Sky is offering a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the Essential TV plan for £15 per month, which also features the new UK drama Unchosen starring Asa Butterfield and Christopher Eccleston.
