Apex – Movie Review | Netflix (4/5)

APEX on Netflix is a 2026 survival thriller starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton. I expected to like it due to its two stars, but I actually loved it. And not just thanks to the actors, but also because the story and pace worked perfectly for me. Read our full Apex movie review here!

APEX is a Netflix thriller with a strong survival plot. Not only is this a really intense and engaging storyline, but the characters also pull you in from the beginning. With Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton as the two main stars, I knew this would be something for me. I just never expected that I would enjoy it this much.

Most impressively, perhaps, it managed to avoid some of the tropes and stereotypes that many survival thrillers suffer from. Of course, even when those classic elements are part of a thriller, it can still be a good experience. However, seeing a movie evolve without those moments was a real joy.

Continue reading our 2026 Apex survival thriller review below. Find it on Netflix from April 24, 2026.

Survival in every way

Apex opens with a scene featuring Sasha (Charlize Theron) and Tommy (Eric Bana) as a couple on a mission: They are climbing the Troll Wall in Norway, when bad weather makes the dangerous climb even more treacherous. I won’t reveal more here, but it does not end well.

As a result, we meet up with Sasha later as she’s heading out on a solo adventure. She’s in Australia, and as a grieving woman, she is simply trying to survive the next wild ordeal she throws herself into.

Well, she’s about to face the challenge of a lifetime when she meets Ben (Taron Egerton). He’s a character that would undoubtedly get along swimmingly with Mick from Wolf Creek. Oh yeah, he’s that kind of outback survivalist.

Of course, Ben doesn’t hate women as Mick did; Ke hunts without discrimination and will pick anyone who might offer a challenge. With Sasha, Ben believes he has finally met someone who can put up a fight. He’s right, but she needs to realize what kind of predator Ben is.

Things really kick off around half an hour into the movie, so we have a good hour of pure survival and extreme actions from both characters.

Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton face off… and I loved it!

In this Netflix survival thriller, there will be challenges for most viewers. Whether you’re not a fan of water, heights, snakes, severe bodily injury, or getting hunted in the wilderness, Apex will get to you. And yet, I do think those who struggle with heights may be those with the sweatiest palms.

WATCH THIS IF YOU WERE DISAPPOINTED IN…

The so-called climbing horror movie that did not work >

Good Lord, some scenes will take your breath away. Overall, fierce and beautiful nature plays a huge role. In fact, however strange it may sound, I was thinking that I want to go hiking and maybe kayaking soon. Admittedly, this was (mostly) before things got too violent and dangerous.

I loved seeing Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton face off. There is banter throughout the movie, and sure one of them is a psychotic killer, and the other a grieving person trying to survive, but both are clearly used to struggles.

In fact, I’m not at all certain that Apex would’ve worked nearly as well with other actors in these roles. You have to buy into their actions and abilities, which I do unequivocally. Obviously, this is also in large part thanks to the intensely talented stunt crew working on the movie. It was a downright breathtaking experience!

Watch Apex on Netflix now

Apex comes from the Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur, who previously directed Beast (2022), starring Idris Elba, which I did not care much for. Fortunately, I also know him as a director from the Netflix series Katla and the 2018 survival movie Adrift starring Shailene Woodley.

The screenplay for Apex comes from Jeremy Robbins, who gets a very impressive feature film debut with this survival thriller. I very much look forward to what Jeremy Robbins does next. He also wrote on The Purge series, which deals quite a lot with survival. Of course, that was in a very different setting.

Along with Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana, Apex also has some wonderful talent in small key roles. From Aaron Pedersen (the brilliant Killing Ground) to Caitlin Stasey (Smile, All Cheerleaders Die), you need to keep your eyes open to catch them. They’re almost like Aussie cameos, but I love stuff like that.

You really do not want to miss out on this. I already wish I could watch it again for the first time. Yes, even though you may guess some of the twists or plot reveals ahead of time, this is an absolute treat!

APEX is out on Netflix on April 24, 2026.

Details

Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Writer: Jeremy Robbins
Cast: Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, Eric Bana