Apex Review: Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton Lead a Slick but Familiar Survival Thriller

Released on Netflix on April 24, 2026, Apex is a survival action thriller directed by Baltasar Kormákur and written by Jeremy Robbins. The film stars Charlize Theron as Sasha, a skilled rock climber who becomes the target of a ruthless hunter portrayed by Taron Egerton, with Eric Bana appearing as her husband, Tommy. Set against the rugged landscapes of Australia, the movie follows Sasha as she uses her climbing expertise to evade capture and survive in the wilderness.

While the film delivers on tension and visual spectacle, critics have noted its reliance on familiar genre tropes. The Guardian described the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Theron and Egerton as “slick but soulless,” praising the performances while critiquing the lack of emotional depth. Similarly, JoBlo highlighted Egerton’s strong turn as the antagonist but called the overall narrative “generic,” noting that the film struggles to distinguish itself from other entries in the survival thriller genre.

The Wall Street Journal acknowledged Theron’s commitment to the physically demanding role, emphasizing her authenticity in the climbing sequences, though it observed that the script fails to fully explore her character’s motivations. Roger Ebert’s review echoed this sentiment, stating that while Theron “rocks” in the literal and figurative sense, the film’s pacing and predictable plot limit its impact.

The Hollywood Reporter noted the strong chemistry between the leads and praised the cinematography by Lawrence Sher, which captures the harsh beauty of the Australian bush. Yet, it concluded that the film’s strengths in performance and direction are undermined by a screenplay that offers little innovation.

Produced by Chernin Entertainment, Ian Bryce Productions, and RVK Studios, with Netflix handling distribution, Apex marks another collaboration between Theron and Kormákur, following their work on The Burning Plain. Despite its high-profile cast and polished production, the film has been positioned as a mid-tier entry in the streaming thriller landscape—effective in the moment but ultimately forgettable.