Netflix #1 Movie Is a Survival Flick Starring Charlize Theron That Doesn't Deserve Your Time

Apex, an action thriller directed by Baltasar Kormákur who also made Everest and Adrift, was released on Netflix on April 24.

The trailer promised a gripping survival story, a tense standoff, and standout performances from Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton. However, Apex turned out to be a derivative flick that lacks suspense and a compelling climax.

What Is 'Apex' About?

Sasha loves rock climbing, but her latest attempt to reach the summit ends in tragedy when her lover dies. Five months later, after recovering, Sasha heads to an Australian national park.

A local ranger warns her that about twenty people have disappeared in the park and that it's dangerous to venture out alone. That doesn't stop Sasha, though. At a gas station, she meets Ben, who defends her against some obnoxious men.

The next morning, her backpack containing food and other belongings is missing. Sasha soon meets Ben again. After a brief conversation, the stranger makes it clear that he's hunting her.

The Very Core Idea of 'Apex' Doesn't Allow You to Connect With the Main Character

Apex raises questions from the very beginning. A ranger directs Sasha to a board listing dozens of missing persons, then, at a gas station, dubious characters accost her, and later, someone scares her in the jungle.

Although the brake lights seem to be flashing red, nothing makes Sasha realize the danger and end her extreme journey.

The main character's behavior seems strange and unconvincing. Of course, some people are motivated by obstacles, but everything has its limits. Screenwriter Jeremy Robbins didn't adequately demonstrate Sasha's addiction to the constant feeling of danger – the very thing that makes her feel alive.

Such an internal conflict could have made her unconventional behavior believable and sympathetic. However, the heroine is simply presented as a fan of extreme sports, not someone who is desperate to the extreme.

'Apex's Main Villain Is Awkward, Not Scary

Sasha's adversary is the maniac Ben, whose ritualistic behavior and obvious mental deviations often evoke awkwardness rather than fear.

His imitations of birds and other animals are particularly silly in both appearance and sound. Maintaining a balance in such behavior without descending into absurdity is always difficult – a feat the filmmakers, and Taron Egerton in particular, failed to master.

The confrontation is a typical deadly cat-and-mouse game, with the only embellishment being the charming wildlife.

To see lush natural beauty depicted more strikingly, turn to Kormákur's other work, Everest – the confrontation between man and nature is depicted more convincingly there.

If we're talking about the clash between characters in the wild, Sam Raimi's recent film, Send Help, offered a much more complex, interesting, and brutal conflict with truly powerful performances.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Apex'?

• Apex has 65% from critics and 50% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.2/10.

• On Letterboxd, Apex scored 2.6/5.0.