After losing her partner in an opening well-staged mountaineering accident in Norway, five months later the still-grieving adventurer Sasha (Charlize Theron) goes kayaking in the remote wilds of Australia, only to find herself targeted by intimidating locals and a odd hunter Ben (Taron Egerton) in this gritty survival thriller. The first act is all fairly standard setting up, the second act is mostly an interesting two-hander between two of today's strongest and most engaging actors in Theron and Egerton as the scenario unravels and gives way to the extended and very physical cat-and-mouse menace of the third. Boasting truly spectacular and beautifully-shot scenery, the film plays well with the utter isolation of the settings and the demands it makes on the characters' survival skills. Egerton offers a gently-spoken relentless threat that is well-played, and Theron throws herself into the physicality of her role and delivers the emotional beats with aplomb. Apex is a very simple but effective thriller, aided by a tight running time and the strength of its two lead actors.
