Netflix has been on a roll in 2026, churning out blockbuster after blockbuster. From the Miami-set crime thriller The Rip starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to the sci-fi smash War Machine with Alan Ritchson, the streaming giant has dominated viewing charts. Now, the platform is betting big on Apex, a survival thriller starring two of Hollywood's most bankable stars: Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton. But does the film deliver on its promise? Early reviews suggest a mixed bag.
As of this writing, Apex holds a 66% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it somewhere between Theron's The Old Guard and its upcoming sequel. While that's a solid score, the critical consensus is far from unanimous. Some reviewers are calling it a visually stunning but narratively thin thriller, while others are more blunt in their criticism.
What the Critics Are Saying
Collider's Robert Brian Taylor gave the film a 6/10, praising its cinematography and Theron's performance while noting that the characters are too basic to fully invest in. On the other end of the spectrum, ScreenRant's Grant Hermanns was harsher, awarding a 4/10 and calling Apex a "mundane survival thriller that bumps the brakes too often." MovieWeb's Mark Keizer also gave it a 4/10, describing it as "an assembly-line thriller" despite acknowledging Theron's strong work.
So, is Apex worth your time? If you're a fan of survival thrillers or Theron's action-hero persona, you might find plenty to enjoy. But if you're looking for something fresh and unpredictable, you may want to temper your expectations.
What Is 'Apex' About?
The film follows Sasha (Charlize Theron), a woman seeking peace in the wilderness after a traumatic event. Her solitude is shattered when she becomes the target of Ben (Taron Egerton), a psychopath who turns her retreat into a deadly game of cat and mouse. The cast also includes Eric Bana, fresh off his role in the Netflix thriller Untamed, along with Matt Whelan, Bessie Holland, and Aaron Pederson. Baltasar Kormákur, who previously directed the Idris Elba-led thriller Beast, helms the project from a script by Jeremy Robbins.
If you're in the mood for a survival thriller, Charlize Theron's 'Apex' on Netflix: A Survival Thriller That Puts Her Through Hell offers a deeper dive into the film's intense sequences and Theron's commitment to the role.
Netflix's 2026 Dominance Continues
Apex arrives as Netflix continues to dominate the streaming landscape. Earlier this year, War Machine became the platform's biggest movie of 2026, racking up over 125 million views in its first few weeks. The Peaky Blinders spin-off The Immortal Man, starring Cillian Murphy, Rebecca Ferguson, and Barry Keoghan, also drew massive audiences. With Apex now in the mix, Netflix is showing no signs of slowing down.
For those looking for more to watch, check out our Weekend Watchlist: 3 Must-See Netflix Movies for April 24 for other top picks. And if you're a fan of survival thrillers, you might also enjoy Netflix's Cult Thriller 'Unchosen' Becomes Unlikely Streaming Hit in April 2026.
Ultimately, Apex may not be a critical home run, but with its star power and high-octane premise, it's likely to find an audience on Netflix. Whether it becomes the next Old Guard or fades into the streaming ether remains to be seen.
