Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Graphically violent thriller has torture, gore, black magic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Apostle
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie is often criticized for being boring, poorly plotted, and overly reliant on pointless violence and gore. While some viewers appreciated its aesthetic and atmosphere, many found the sex scenes irrelevant and felt that the film ultimately disappointed despite some promising elements.
- boredom
- pointless violence
- irrelevant sex
- disappointing plot
- atmospheric aesthetics
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Having been through his own travails in a far-off place, Thomas Richardson (Dan Stevens) sets out to rescue his sister who is being held captive by a religious cult in APOSTLE. It's 1905, and the island that the cult inhabits holds innumerable dangers, not the least of which is the group's religious leader, Prophet Malcolm (Michael Sheen). Thomas infiltrates the group. Malcolm is holding his sister for ransom and is aware that an imposter is among the newly arrived cult members. He does all within his power to ferret out the identity of the deceiver. Thomas' presence endangers other members of the group as the cult leaders kill and torture with impunity. After he blackmails a young cult member who has his own secrets, the situation worsens. What began as a treacherous task for Thomas becomes something even worse as he discovers deeper, darker secrets on the island.
Is It Any Good?
With his complex tale, driven by an exhaustive onslaught of violence and gore, Welsh writer-director Gareth Evans is considered a filmmaker to watch; it's true, but only if you have a strong stomach. Apostle is down, dirty, and grisly from start to finish. And the movie is two hours and 10 minutes long. There are twists and turns in the plot, mostly delivered by knives and spears. It would be difficult to even count the number of folks impaled and then kept on-screen to writhe as they expire. You may think you've seen the most appalling and ghastly of events, but another is only moments away. Apostle is a dark film, in content and in look, with a cast of good actors who may have relished their immersion in blood and guts. It's not certain which audiences will. Absolutely not for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Apostle. Many horror films are intended primarily to scare viewers, and keep much of the blood and gore offscreen. This film revels in showing the killings in detail. When is violence excessive? How can you decide how much is too much? Why is it important to be aware of the impact of violence on kids?
For what audience(s) do you think writer-director Gareth Evans intended this movie? Do you like to be scared? How do you feel about the "ewww" factor in filmmaking? What is there about movies with so much graphic violence that people enjoy?
When asked why he chose to play Lex Luthor in Superman, actor Gene Hackman is said to have answered, "You mean besides the two million dollars?" Have you ever wondered why actors choose particular roles? What are some of the reasons they might accept them (e.g., a great story or screenplay, relationships with filmmakers, a waning career)?
What is a "cult"? In Apostle, the cult is a religious one. This movie is set in 1905. What kinds of cults still exist today? What do you think might lead someone to abandon their independence and rely on a dominant leader?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 12, 2018
- Cast : Dan Stevens , Michael Sheen , Lucy Boynton
- Director : Gareth Evans
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Run time : 130 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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