Story perspectives

Netflix Debuts “Apex” Thriller, 66% Critics Praise Theron

4/28/2026

Summary

Netflix Streams Apex

Netflix began streaming the thriller Apex in the United States.
Apex holds a 66% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating from 53 critic reviews.
Critics praised actress Charlize Theron’s performance and actor Taron Egerton’s portrayal of a cannibalistic hunter, but said the script lacks depth and ends predictably.
Cinematographer Lawrence Sher’s visuals, the 95-minute runtime, and the Wandarra National Park setting earned a 56% audience score from over 250 Rotten Tomatoes ratings.

Summary

Theron Scales Billboard

Netflix promoted Apex by having Charlize Theron climb a Times Square rock-wall billboard, confirming no visual effects.
Director Baltasar Kormákur said Theron performed climactic free-solo ascent herself, using a rope and harness on the real cliff.
Theron repeated the opening cliff-jump for about 38 minutes, far longer than the seconds shown on screen.
Olympic kayakers River Mutton and Luuka Jones doubled for Theron in white-water scenes, while she handled kayaking herself.

History

Historical Context

When Netflix released Charlize Theron’s 38-minute unscripted climb for Apex, it echoed the 2015 push for cinematic realism that began with Alejandro González Iñárritu’s *The Revenant*, whose $135 million production and 12 Oscar nominations set a new bar for authentic stunt work. The streaming giant’s move signals a broader industry shift toward film-level physicality.

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Netflix Streams Apex

Netflix began streaming the thriller Apex in the United States.
Apex holds a 66% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating from 53 critic reviews.
Critics praised actress Charlize Theron’s performance and actor Taron Egerton’s portrayal of a cannibalistic hunter, but said the script lacks depth and ends predictably.
Cinematographer Lawrence Sher’s visuals, the 95-minute runtime, and the Wandarra National Park setting earned a 56% audience score from over 250 Rotten Tomatoes ratings.

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