Review: The Film, Apex…

I like to sit in my recliner. I like to read, watch movies and streaming, while sitting in said recliner. I also like to sit in my office chair, at my desk, and write. And read. And watch movies and streaming. While sitting in said office chair. All in hopes of entertaining myself, broadening my knowledge and experience, exercising my imagination, and honing my critical thinking and communication skills. 

And this is the extent of my adventures. 

Watching a film like Apex (2026) doesn’t make me question my sedentary life choices, rush to the gym to furiously work off excess calories, or think any further about getting off my a$$ and doing something more active. I mean, why would I? I’ve absolutely no desire to go outside, into deep woods, through treacherous river rapids, atop mountain peaks. I get exhausted just thinking about this s%!t. As I said, I go on adventures, trek through treacherous landscapes, battle Nature and other opponents, all in my mind. 

And I’m okay with that. 

A traditional survival story at heart, Apex (2026) forces its protagonist to confront the dual threats of a ruthless adversary and a hostile wilderness. It stars two active movie stars, Charlize Theron (The Old Guard) and Taron Egerton (Kingsman: The Secret Service), who perform their own stunts. They’re okay with physicality, courting danger, and testing the limits of their bodily resources. Set against the isolated landscapes of New South Wales, Australia, the two engage in a life-or-death game of cat and mouse. Sasha (Theron) is a grieving, thrill-seeking widow seeking isolation and closure through the treacheries of Nature. At first glance, Ben (Egerton) seems like a charming local woodsman; in reality, he is a ruthless serial killer. 

In terms of symbolism, Sasha's compass serves as a visual representation of her tragic past and the survivor’s guilt she carries following the death of her climbing partner, Tommy (Eric Bana, Munich). The object serves as a symbol of her grief—initially reflecting her refusal to heed Tommy's warning, and ultimately, when she casts it into the ocean, signifying her decision to let him go and move forward.

Although Baltasar Kormákur (Trapped) has a proven talent for directing action in natural settings, his by-the-numbers approach here prioritizes plot momentum over atmospheric tension and character depth. Critics have cited newcomer Jeremy Robinson's screenplay for its predictable plotting, thin character development, and uneven thematic execution. While the script explores intriguing themes of grief, isolation, and human resilience, it often sacrifices psychological depth in favor of familiar action-movie tropes. 

When I went into watching this film, knowing IMDb’s classification—especially labeling it as an action film—and the 95-minute runtime, I wasn’t expecting emotional depth or solid character development. I expected an action thriller, plain and simple, and I (figuratively) got what I paid for. 

So, as I sit in my office chair and write this review, reveling in my life and lifestyle choices, I’ll fully recommend this film for what it is. And I’m okay with that.