A grieving mountain climber, Sasha retreats to the remote Australian outback for isolation, only to become the prey in a deadly game with a ruthless local predator.
Directed by Baltasar Kormákur and written by Jeremy Robbins, Apex is an acrophobia nightmare of a survival action thriller that is wonderfully shot with Lawrence Sher's cinematography, and delivers sweaty-palm tension through its vertiginous climbing sequences and relentless cat-and-mouse pursuit across the Australian wilderness.
This is a B-premise effort that borders on the likes of Deadly Prey or Surviving the Game-lean, mean, and unapologetically pulpy. While films like The Silence of the Lambs, Shoot to Kill (aka Deadly Pursuit), and The Edge delivered more rounded takes on survival and serial-hunter stories, Apex doesn't pretend to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it perfectly showcases Charlize Theron's screen presence and physical commitment. She gives Jared Leto's publicised climbing skills a serious run for their money.
Eric Bana appears as Tommy, Sasha's husband, adding weight to the early scenes.
Taron Egerton is equally great as antagonist Ben, bringing a chilling, unpredictable energy that makes the pursuit feel personal and terrifying. Jeremy Robbins' script often feels like it's only touching the surface of its characters and themes, but the two leads elevate the material significantly.
The music score by Högni Egilssonand soundtrack give the film a modern edge, particularly during a standout sequence that echoes the intense chase vibe of Blade Runner. That music-infused scene with Go" by The Chemical Brothers featuring Egerton will long be remembered and copied for its visceral thrill, much like Ralph Fiennes in The Bone Temple.
The climbing and pursuit scenes channel the palm-sweating heights of Cliffhanger and Mission: Impossible 2, making excellent use of the rugged Australian locations to crank up the acrophobia and isolation. It's one of Netflix's better more cinematic productions.
It's not the most original or deeply layered thriller, but Apex is slick and knows exactly what it is: a high-stakes survival romp anchored by two excellent lead performances.
Worth a watch primarily for Theron's turn and the set-pieces.
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