Is this related to the game Apex Legends?

No. Despite the name, this is a standalone survival thriller about a human hunter and has zero connection to the popular battle royale game.

Does it have sexual violence?

While the movie is a 'hunter and prey' scenario involving a female lead, it primarily focuses on physical survival and psychological terror rather than sexual assault, though the threat of the killer is inherently gendered and predatory.

How 'horror' is this movie?

It leans more into the 'survival thriller' category. Think more The Revenant or Alone (2020) than Friday the 13th. The scares come from the tension of being hunted, not jump-scares or monsters.

Apex – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Apex

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2026

32%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A grim cat-and-mouse survival thriller in the Outback that's exactly what you think it is: tense, bloody, and strictly for the 17+ crowd.

67%

→

Apex

movie

R, 2026

32%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A grim cat-and-mouse survival thriller in the Outback that's exactly what you think it is: tense, bloody, and strictly for the 17+ crowd.

67%

Jump to

Also rated on

67%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Apex is a mid-tier survival thriller that doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. It’s the kind of movie you put on when you want to see someone get pushed to their absolute limit in a beautiful but deadly environment.

For parents, there's no ambiguity here: it's not for your kids. It’s a 17+ affair that leans into the 'predator and prey' dynamic with enough blood and tension to satisfy genre fans, even if the script is a bit predictable. If you've seen The Invisible Man or Revenge, you know the vibe, but this one lacks the stylistic flair that made those stand out.

Age Fit

This is a hard 17+. Between the serial killer premise and the survivalist gore, there's nothing here for kids. It's a standard late-night thriller for adults who don't mind a little Outback misery.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a survivalist thriller centered on a serial killer hunting a grieving woman. While it deals with personal resilience, the tone is inherently grim and focused on predatory violence rather than kindness or cooperation.

Imaginative

The 'Most Dangerous Game' setup in the Australian Outback is well-worn territory. It uses the environment effectively for tension, but doesn't break new ground in the survival genre.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this for ages 17+. Expect intense peril, visceral violence, and the psychological weight of a 'cat-and-mouse' killer scenario. Absolutely not for kids or younger teens.

Enriching

Explores themes of grief and the will to survive under extreme duress. There is some value in the protagonist's tactical thinking and resilience, but it's primarily designed for adrenaline-fueled entertainment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Australian landscape is used as more than just a backdrop; it's a character that dictates the survival tactics.
Survivalist grit provides a few 'how-to' moments of bushcraft and tactical thinking for fans of the genre.
Cathartic pacing for those who enjoy the specific arc of a victim turning the tables on their pursuer.

⚠

What to Watch For

The violence is visceral and personal—this isn't cartoonish action; it's a grounded, mean-spirited hunt.
Grief is a heavy subtheme; the protagonist's emotional state might be a trigger for those sensitive to loss or mental health struggles.
As a Netflix original, expect the typical high-gloss, high-stress production that aims for maximum heart rate over deep nuance.

Conversation Starters

"How did the protagonist's grief actually help or hinder her ability to survive the hunt?"
"Why do you think the 'hunter vs. prey' trope is so common in movies set in the wilderness?"
"At what point did the hunter lose control of the 'game' he thought he was playing?"

Deep Dive

The Netflix Survival Machine

Netflix has a specific brand of 'survival horror-lite' that they've perfected by 2026, and Apex fits right into the middle of the pack. It’s a 100-minute exercise in tension that relies heavily on the 'final girl' trope, updated with a modern survivalist edge. The Australian Outback—always a favorite for filmmakers who want to emphasize isolation—is shot beautifully, but the story beats are familiar.

What makes Apex slightly more interesting than a standard slasher is the protagonist's internal struggle. She’s already at the end of her rope due to personal loss, making her encounter with the killer feel like a physical manifestation of her desire to give up or fight back. It’s a heavy-handed metaphor, but it gives the actress something to chew on between scenes of hiding in the brush.

Critically, the film is hovering in the 'okay' zone. A 67% on Rotten Tomatoes suggests it’s competent but not a masterpiece. It’s the kind of movie that will trend for a weekend and then disappear into the algorithm. If you're looking for a deep exploration of the human condition, this isn't it. If you want to see a cunning killer get what's coming to him in the middle of nowhere, it delivers.

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Apex? Put this WISE score on your site