APEX -- Elevated by Egerton, Limited by Its Runtime

Review by Chadd Clubine

Apex is more or less what you’d expect—generic and a bit short, but still a lot of fun, largely thanks to Taron Egerton’s villainous turn. He’s already shown how effective he can be in darker roles with Smoke on Apple TV last year, and he brings that same energy here. Going toe-to-toe with Charlize Theron, the film knows exactly what it is—and executes it pretty well. 

With a 96-minute runtime, the film doesn’t waste time getting into its core premise. The opening, however, feels somewhat unnecessary—almost as if it was added later to pad the runtime given how brief the film is. That said, the structure ultimately works in its favor, helping establish the emotional undercurrents of Charlize Theron’s character as she wrestles with forgiveness and the possibility of redemption.
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Charlize Theron is strong in her own right—an undeniably commanding presence who naturally holds the screen. She’s fully committed here, delivering a performance that anchors the film even when it wavers. That said, it’s Taron Egerton who ultimately stands out. He leans fully into the role, disappearing into the character and making a compelling case for more villainous parts in his future. There’s a complexity to him as well—moments where he’s surprisingly understandable, even sympathetic—which adds dimension to the performance. His ability to switch between charm and menace is what really elevates it, and it’s the kind of work that keeps you hoping he continues taking on big-screen roles like this.

​Baltasar Kormákur infuses the film with a strong sense of energy, from the dynamic camera work to the way the story steadily unravels. The visuals are consistently impressive as well, adding to an immersive, high-thrill atmosphere. Once the inciting incident kicks in, the film never really lets up. Even when the narrative leans into familiar genre clichés, the relentless pacing and “anything-could-happen” momentum keep it engaging enough to make it worth a watch.

The film’s biggest shortcoming is its runtime. Once the central situation unfolds, there’s really only about an hour left, and the conclusion feels somewhat underwhelming and abrupt. While it does serve the film’s thematic intentions, it ultimately lacks a sense of intensity and unpredictability. The film works as a solid one-time watch that delivers the basics you expect, but there’s little that elevates it beyond its premise. There also feels like missed potential—more time could have been spent escalating the stakes and fully establishing just how much of a threat Taron Egerton’s character truly is.

Overall, Apex delivers on the promise of its cast and premise, but is held back by its runtime and familiar, sometimes clichéd storytelling. Taron Egerton once again proves how effective he can be in antagonistic roles, while Charlize Theron makes for a compelling and likable lead to follow. It remains an entertaining ride throughout, but one that may not linger in your memory for long after it ends.

Apex streams on Netflix April 24th!

RATING: 3/5