Charlize Theron Faces Ruthless Serial Killer in Netflix’s Intense Survival Thriller ‘Apex’

Netflix has unleashed the first gripping images and teaser for Apex, a high-octane survival thriller starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton, set to premiere globally on April 24, 2026. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur (known for Everest, Adrift, and Beast), this cat-and-mouse chase in the unforgiving Australian wilderness promises edge-of-your-seat tension, stunning visuals, and raw physical performances.

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The official synopsis teases: “A grieving woman testing her limits in the Australian wilderness is suddenly ensnared in a deadly game with a ruthless predator.” Theron plays Sasha, an adrenaline junkie and rock climber seeking solace after personal loss, only to become the prey of a calculated serial killer portrayed by Egerton.

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Rounding out the cast is Australian star Eric Bana (Hulk, Troy, Untamed), who joins for a key supporting role. Theron, also a producer on the project, has long wanted to collaborate with Bana, calling it a “no-brainer” when the opportunity arose.

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Filming took place in the rugged terrains of New South Wales, including the Blue Mountains, where the vast, brutal landscape becomes a character itself. Kormákur emphasized the authenticity of shooting on location: “For a film like Apex — where the elements and the terrain are characters that loom just as large as the movie stars battling in it — no other country in the world could have taken the place of Australia.”

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Theron threw herself into the role, learning barefoot rock climbing for the first time and performing most of her own stunts. “I was just getting as strong as I could because I climb all of the actual mountains in the movie. I’m climbing all of it – and I’m climbing it barefoot on my own raw feet,” she revealed. The physical demands were immense; she even powered through a fractured toe injury sustained during production.

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Egerton, sporting a shaved head for his chilling antagonist, brings a new edge to his resume after action hits like Kingsman and Carry-On. The teaser trailer highlights the predator-prey dynamic, with Egerton’s voiceover taunting Theron’s character amid shots of intense chases, archery threats, and desperate survival.

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Produced by Chernin Entertainment, Ian Bryce Productions, and Theron’s Denver and Delilah Productions, Apex blends emotional depth with visceral action. Theron has teased that the stunts rival or surpass those in The Old Guard 2, calling it a chance to “outdo” her previous work.

As anticipation builds, these first-look images showcase Theron’s fierce determination scaling sheer cliffs, navigating raging rivers, and evading danger, contrasted with Egerton’s menacing presence. The film’s raw, authentic feel – from real locations to practical effects – sets it apart in the survival genre.

Mark your calendars: Apex arrives on Netflix April 24, 2026, delivering a breathless thriller where beauty and brutality collide in the heart of the outback.