Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gruesome violence, fear, language in gritty thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Apex (2026)
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Sasha (Charlize Theron) is skilled at extreme sports like rock climbing in APEX. But skill can only get you so far, and when the weather takes a turn on a risky Norwegian outing with boyfriend Tommy (Eric Bana), Sasha barely makes it out alive. Wracked with guilt, she heads to the Australian wilderness, where she's warned by a forest service officer not to travel solo in an area where dozens of people have gone missing. Sasha goes anyway, and she soon realizes the real danger is local adventurer Ben (Taron Egerton), who tracks her then challenges her to a deadly chase.
Is It Any Good?
This gritty and intentionally gruesome thriller is not for the faint of heart, but Theron's physical prowess as the survivor Sasha is pretty captivating. Apex's predator, Ben, feels overly scripted, the product of cinematic imaginations more than reality, even though Egerton throws himself into the role with gusto (as always—see his embodiment of Elton John in Rocketman). It's great to see an athletic, adventurous, and resilient female outsmart a predator, but in some ways the local creeps who follow Sasha in an early scene are more frightening in their everyday realism than the far-fetched serial killer.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of "ritual" that Ben uses to excuse his violent acts in Apex. Is violence ever justified, for example, in the name of a ritual?
The story was originally going to be set in the US. What do you think the Australian setting adds to this film?
This film tries to take physical storytelling to new levels. Did the extreme action scenes look believable to you? Where could you go to find out more information about who acted in the action scenes and who did the stunts?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 24, 2026
- Cast : Charlize Theron , Taron Egerton , Eric Bana
- Director : Baltasar Kormakur
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Adventures , Dystopia
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some strong violence, grisly images, nudity, and language
- Last updated : April 23, 2026
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