A lot of critics are comparing this Netflix film's central idea to The Wicker Man, but if you imagine Ben Wheatley directing a remake of Children Of the Corn you might start to get an idea of the bizarre delights on offer in Apostle. This is a much quieter film than director Evans's brilliant The Raid movies, but at over two hours it takes its time to set up an isolated cult community in the early 1900s, reveal its secrets and then observe the whole situation fall apart in spectacular and bloody fashion. Evans draws solid performances from his strong cast, but once again Dan Stevens carries the film with his committed and powerful character work as the brother charged with joining the community in order to rescue his sister who is held captive for a ransom. The use of colour palette works effectively, the violence is sudden, sharp and spectacular (with one truly wince-inducing 'cleansing' scene) and Evans flits effortlessly between intimate and wide-cinematic shots. The ominous ticking-clock motif on the score gets a little wearing but serves to highlight the ever-impending descent into madness. Apostle will not be to everyone's taste - more cerebral horror films usually alienate a number of core genre fans - but in many ways it is both effective and interesting.
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