Charlize Theron’s Stunt Commitment in Netflix’s “Apex”

*Apex* follows Sasha (Charlize Theron), a climber grieving her husband’s death, as she hikes and kayaks through Australia’s wilderness before becoming the target of a deranged serial killer (Taron Egerton). Directed by Baltasar Kormákur—known for *Everest* and *Beast*—the film was shot on location in Australian outback with climbing sets. Theron performed the opening cliff-jump, all on-mountain free-solo climbs, and repeated takes of final ascent, which took about 38 minutes to film but appears as a 20-second sequence. White-water kayaking and waterfall descents were completed by stunt professionals River Mutton and Luuka Jones.

Did Charlize Theron Do Her Own Stunts in ‘APEX’?

The film holds a 66 % Tomatometer rating (53 critic reviews) and a 56 % audience score (250+ ratings) on Rotten Tomatoes; its runtime is 95 minutes.

Apex’s RT Score Shows Why All Critics Don’t Like Charlize Theron’s New Movie

Theron confirmed that stunt women handled the hazardous rapids while she personally executed the cliff jump and every climbing segment, noting she “wanted to do better” on the jump and loved the climbing work. Kormákur said he was surprised by her willingness to repeat the high-risk cliff jump and that the production altered locations to accommodate her desire to climb the actual mountain.

Did Charlize Theron Do Her Own Stunts in ‘APEX’?

Reviewers praised Theron’s physical performance and the film’s visual polish. CNET’s Aaron Pruner argued the focus on tactile detail reduced emotional depth. The Guardian’s Luke Buckmaster described the movie as “slick but soulless,” while Mashable’s Kristy Puchko called it a “relentless, exciting, and nerve-rattlingly scary thriller.” Overall, critics noted strong acting against a script they deemed thin.

Apex’s RT Score Shows Why All Critics Don’t Like Charlize Theron’s New Movie

All sources agree Theron performed the cliff jump and climbing, but accounts differ on her role in water scenes. One report emphasizes her personal execution of final ascent; another stresses that “most” kayaking sequences were performed by stunt women, leaving the exact division of labor unclear.

Did Charlize Theron Do Her Own Stunts in ‘APEX’?

• “It’s [Charlize], basically with hundreds of meters underneath her,” director Baltasar Kormákur told Decider in a recent interview.” — Baltasar Kormákur, director

Did Charlize Theron Do Her Own Stunts in ‘APEX’?

• “Anything you see of me going down a waterfall or some of the really dangerous rapids in nature, where we didn’t know if there was a rock underneath, I had two incredible women, River Mutton and Luuka Jones, doing that for me,” — Charlize Theron, actress

Did Charlize Theron Do Her Own Stunts in ‘APEX’?

• “CNET‘s Aaron Pruner noted that Apex’s focus on “tactile detail” came at the cost of “emotional depth” in the narrative.” — Aaron Pruner, CNET

Apex’s RT Score Shows Why All Critics Don’t Like Charlize Theron’s New Movie

• “The whole affair feels slick but soulless, with no personality or – despite the lush settings – any real sense of place.” — Luke Buckmaster, The Guardian

Apex’s RT Score Shows Why All Critics Don’t Like Charlize Theron’s New Movie

*Apex* is streaming globally on Netflix, and its viewership and award prospects will be monitored in the coming months.

The Hindu