Children are often warned not to take sweets from strangers because it can lead to unpleasant experiences. If only adults followed this same rule, things might not have gone so badly for Sasha in this recent release, Apex (2026).
I see Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton as the leads in this movie and that's enough to make me watch. It turns out to be a survival thriller, the kind that makes me uneasy because of the dangers depicted. The focus is on hikers, mountaineers and kayakers which deepens my admiration for them more.
Apex is an American survival thriller directed by Baltasar Kormákur based on Jeremy Robbins’ screenplay. It stars Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, Eric Bana, Matt Whelan and other supporting actors. The opening scene shows us Sasha (Charlize Theron) and her husband, Tommy (Eric Bana) waking up in a tent fixed to the side of a rocky mountain. It's clear they are an outdoorsy couple who love to climb and also take risks.
They dress up and continue to climb when the weather turns hazy. In their attempt to return to their tent, an avalanche drops on Tommy rendering him unconscious. His weight pulls Sasha down via their joint harness, risking their lives. She holds on for a while only to let him go so they don't both fall to their death.
Five months later, grieving Sasha doesn't go mountain climbing but goes kayaking at Wandarra National Park. The park ranger immediately warns that people get lost in the forest and don't return. While she buys things at a local store, some unfriendly men try to harass her but she ignores them. Then Ben (Taron Egerton), one the locals, helps point out the “easy path” on her map. Sasha takes his word for it and drives her car to the place.
When she settles in her tent for the night, she wakes up to find her bag with the supplies gone. She walks around and see another tent—its Ben. He's nice and cooks her breakfast before revealing that he took her bag. Sasha stands up, shocked. Ben pulls out a crossbow and a stereo warning that after the song plays out, he'll come for her. This ‘nice’ stranger quickly becomes a psychopath playing a dangerous cat and mouse game with Sasha. Who is Ben? Can Sasha escape her hunter?
My Review And Rating
Despite the well-built tension, suspense and gory scenes in this movie, I still loved it. The plot is unexpected and gripping—a stranger recommends a safe path in a forest like giving out candy, only to turn out a predator hunting people who follow the trail. The first scene introduces the couple and the remaining throw viewers into the maniac mind and activities of the sadistic hunter.
It's Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton's acting that makes this movie stand out. Theron is one of my favourite actresses simply because she doesn't do small roles but memorable and energetic ones. I'm not sure if a stunt double was used but she plays the role of a grieving and scared prey perfectly in this movie. Her resolve to not be a victim is cool.
The way she climbs the mountains, runs through the thick forest, kayaks through the rushing water and drops through waterfalls is admirable. I wish she didn't listen to Ben's advice to take the haunted trail but that wouldn't be realistic. In hindsight, it's troubling that the real danger isn't the wild animals but a person.
Egerton on the other hand convinces me of his character’s mania with the crazy screams and laughs, the animal sounds and frightening facial expressions. His pairing with Theron really worked. Gory scenes are expected in this kind of movie but they still shocked me.
The chase scenes might feel repetitive at some point, still I like that the director makes us see the efforts it takes to scale mountainous heights. You not only need a healthy body and stamina but also good instincts and wisdom. Charlize's character displayed all these and the camera stays on her through every climb, grunts, screams, injuries as she negotiates the crevices until she gets to the peak.
The cinematography is good. Director Kormákur gives us clear visuals that reflect a deep respect for nature with beautiful shots of the forest, waterfalls and vast landscapes.
Rating this movie, I'd give it 7 stars out of 10. It's even-paced and thrilling. The acting and tension keep me on the edge of my seat all through.
All images above are from the movie screenshots
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