Charlize Theron is no stranger to kicking butt on screen, but in Netflix's new survival thriller Apex, she's the one getting put through the wringer. The film, which updates the Deliverance formula for a modern audience, drops Theron's character into the unforgiving Australian wilderness where she must outrun and outwit a deranged hunter. The result is a taut, visually arresting ride that proves once again why Theron remains the gold standard for action heroines.
Set against the rugged landscapes of Australia, Apex is a feast for the eyes. Director Baltasar Kormákur employs swooping drone shots and immersive camerawork that plunges viewers right into the action alongside Theron. Whether she's scaling a cliff face, navigating white-water rapids, or tumbling down a hillside, the film's visceral energy never lets up. It's hard to tell where practical stunts end and digital wizardry begins, but honestly, who cares when the result is this thrilling?
What Is 'Apex' About?
Theron plays Sasha, an adrenaline junkie who lives for extreme challenges. The film opens with her and her boyfriend Tommy (Eric Bana) climbing Norway's Troll Wall, a terrifyingly vertical rock face. When tragedy strikes and Tommy falls to his death, Sasha is left shattered. Five months later, she embarks on a solo trek through the Australian outback, carrying Tommy's compass as a talisman. After a run-in with some hostile locals, she's rescued by a seemingly friendly stranger named Ben (Taron Egerton), but something about him feels off. Sasha wisely brushes him off, only to find herself hunted by Ben, who reveals himself to be a sadistic predator who sees her as his next trophy.
The chase that follows is a cat-and-mouse game through some of the most breathtaking—and dangerous—terrain on Earth. The script by Jeremy Robbins leans on familiar survival-thriller tropes, but the execution is elevated by Kormákur's kinetic direction and Theron's magnetic presence. At just 96 minutes, Apex knows exactly when to tighten the screws and when to let the audience catch its breath.
Visuals That Pull You Into the Action
The real star of Apex is its cinematography. The camera seems to be in constant motion, zipping through forests, skimming over rivers, and clinging to Theron as she scrambles for her life. A standout sequence involves a white-water rafting chase that feels both terrifying and exhilarating. Later, a single-take shot of Sasha tumbling down a hill and into rapids is a masterclass in immersive filmmaking. Whether these effects were achieved practically or digitally, the result is the same: you feel every bump, every splash, every desperate gasp for air.
While the visuals are stunning, the film's success ultimately hinges on its two leads. Theron brings her trademark intensity and vulnerability to Sasha, making her a heroine you can root for even when the odds seem insurmountable. Egerton, meanwhile, throws himself into the role of Ben with manic energy, though the character never quite transcends his archetype. He's a garden-variety psychopath who makes weird animal noises and lives in a hut that looks like it was borrowed from Yoda. Still, Egerton's commitment keeps Ben from becoming a cartoon villain.
All Hail Charlize Theron
What makes Apex work is Theron's ability to sell every moment. She's been doing this since Mad Max: Fury Road, and she shows no signs of slowing down. Whether she's bleeding, bruised, or dangling from a cliff, you believe she can survive anything. The film flirts with horror as Ben's methods grow increasingly grisly, but Theron's steely resolve keeps the focus on survival rather than gore.
If you're looking for a lean, mean thriller that doesn't overstay its welcome, Apex is a solid bet. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it's a reminder that sometimes all you need is a great action star, a beautiful location, and a simple premise executed with style. For fans of Theron's action-heroine work, this is essential viewing. And for everyone else, it's a wild ride that'll have you gripping your couch cushions.
For more on Netflix's upcoming slate, check out our coverage of Enola Holmes 3 and the streaming service's literary adaptations. And if you're in the mood for more survival thrills, Stephen King's The Mist is hitting free streaming this month.
