Netflix’s ‘Apex’ Review: Charlize Theron Struggles in a Weak Survival Thriller

Apex, the latest survival thriller from director Baltasar Kormákur and starring Charlize Theron, offers little that feels fresh or compelling. While the film attempts to blend multiple survival tropes, its disjointed narrative leaves the pieces feeling scattered rather than cohesive. The result is a thriller that never quite reaches the heights it aims for.

The movie opens in the mountains of Norway, where climbers Sasha (Theron) and Tommy (Eric Bana) are attempting a dangerous ascent. Tommy, ever the cautious one, harbors a bad feeling about the trip—mirroring the instincts of a detective on the verge of retirement. Their dynamic is cut short, however, as Tommy’s presence is fleeting. The film’s opening sequence, reminiscent of Martin Campbell’s ‘Vertical Limit’, pales in comparison, setting a weak foundation for what follows.

Eight months later, Sasha finds herself in the remote wilderness of Australia, determined to tackle a treacherous rafting expedition alone. Locals warn her against the journey, citing a history of disappearances and an unsettling atmosphere. Sasha, seemingly undeterred, plunges into the wild. The only person who appears remotely normal is Ben (Taron Egerton), a hunter who quickly reveals his true colors. After a bland introductory song, Ben announces he will hunt Sasha for sport, brandishing a crossbow and giving her a scant amount of time to flee—far less than the head start Count Zaroff famously granted in ‘The Most Dangerous Game’.

The remainder of Apex follows Sasha as she navigates rapids and rugged terrain, pursued by Egerton’s over-the-top villain. Egerton, typically a charismatic performer, struggles to find consistency in his character. Ben shifts erratically between angry blowhard, charismatic serial killer, and barely-human monster, with no clear throughline. The lack of depth in his portrayal undermines the film’s potential tension.

Theron, a powerhouse actor with a career spanning decades, elevates the material as much as possible. Yet even her talent cannot salvage a script that fails to deliver a cohesive or engaging survival narrative. Apex ultimately feels like a missed opportunity, a thriller that never quite finds its footing despite its promising premise and talented cast.