Director Baltasar Kormákur has built a strong reputation crafting survival thrillers for mainstream audiences. From the disaster-laden peaks of Everest to the ocean-bound drama of Adrift, his filmography demonstrates a consistent ability to translate high-stakes survival stories to the screen. His latest Netflix release, Apex, reunites the director with his signature genre—but unfortunately, the film struggles to deliver the fresh perspective audiences might expect.
What Is Apex About?
Apex, written by Jeremy Robbins of The Purge series, centers on Sasha (Charlize Theron), a grieving rock climber who seeks solitude in Australia’s Kedumba Valley. What begins as a therapeutic kayaking expedition through river rapids takes a dark turn when she meets Ben (Taron Egerton), a charming but deceptive local who transforms into a relentless hunter. What follows is a high-stakes chase through the Australian wilderness where Sasha must use her survival instincts to stay alive.
Pacing Issues and Familiar Storytelling
One of Apex‘s most glaring weaknesses is its sluggish opening act. The film takes over 30 minutes of its 95-minute runtime to establish any real tension. Sasha’s character introduction and her journey through grief feel overly routine, failing to present her as a compelling or original protagonist—despite her later emergence as a capable survivor rather than a helpless victim.
The script also wastes screen time on obvious red herrings. Local hunters who initially harass Sasha lack any genuine threat, making their scenes feel predictable and dragging down momentum. This misdirection ultimately dilutes the film’s ability to build sustained tension, leaving viewers eager to reach the actual hunt sequence.
Balancing Act: Survival vs. Thriller Elements
A fundamental flaw in Apex‘s structure is its struggle to balance survival adventure with slasher-esque thriller mechanics. The film’s middle section, when Ben’s true motives begin to surface, does produce shocking revelations that raise the stakes considerably. However, this tonal shift comes too late and feels somewhat at odds with the survival-focused storytelling that precedes it.
Interestingly, Ben proves most terrifying during the early hunt sequences when his motivations remain mysterious. His unhinged vocalizations, meticulous planning, and unsettling ease navigating the jungle create authentic dread. Once the script reveals his backstory, the mystery diminishes, though it does attempt to add psychological depth.
Technical Execution and Cinematography
Where Apex excels is in its technical presentation. Kormákur’s direction effectively captures the sweeping scale of the Australian landscape, using the jungle environment as both setting and character. The collaboration between Kormákur and the visual effects team—including Framestore, Gavin Round, and Enrik Pavdeja—seamlessly blends CGI setpieces with practical stunts.
Theron’s physical commitment shines throughout, particularly in perilous kayaking scenes and cliff escapes. The action sequences, while sometimes familiar, are executed with clarity and genuine danger.
Taron Egerton’s Standout Performance
The film’s brightest element is undoubtedly Taron Egerton’s villainous turn as Ben. In a rare departure from heroic roles, the Kingsman actor fully embraces the character’s unhinged nature while layering in enough humanity to make him fascinatingly complex. Egerton balances manic energy with calculated precision, creating a memorable antagonist who elevates material that might otherwise feel disposable.
Charlize Theron delivers a competent performance, fully committing to the physical demands of her role much like she did in Mad Max: Fury Road. However, the script provides limited character development for Sasha. Her emotional walls remain so firmly in place that audiences struggle to connect with her beyond the basic desire to see her survive.
A Survival Thriller That Doesn’t Quite Thrive
Apex demonstrates that Kormákur still excels when focused purely on survival action sequences. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between hunter and hunted generates genuine suspense when the film commits to it. However, thin character development and a predictable narrative framework ultimately undermine the movie’s impact.
The film works best as a straightforward jungle chase but falters when attempting to layer in deeper psychological elements. While Egerton’s charismatic performance and the stunning Australian setting provide moments of entertainment, Apex proves more forgettable than essential—a competent but uninspired entry in the survival thriller genre.
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
- Runtime: 95 minutes
- Director: Baltasar Kormákur
- Cast: Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton