Netflix has stirred up excitement among movie lovers with the release of the first teaser trailer for its highly anticipated action-thriller, APEX. Starring Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana, the film promises a heart-pounding adventure set against the breathtaking backdrop of Australia’s Blue Mountains. The teaser, released in late December 2025, offers a glimpse into a story that fuses emotional depth with relentless survival action, setting the stage for what Netflix hopes will be one of its biggest releases of 2026.
The trailer opens with Theron’s character, Sasha, scaling steep rockfaces and braving tumultuous white-water rapids—a visual feast that immediately signals the movie’s physical intensity. In a chilling voiceover, Egerton’s character, a serial killer, reveals his knowledge of Sasha, setting a sinister tone that only intensifies as the scenes shift to a tense game of cat and mouse deep within the forest. The suspense is palpable: Sasha is hunted relentlessly, forced to dodge sniper fire and crossbow bolts as she struggles to survive. The trailer’s crescendo comes when the two adversaries confront each other, Egerton’s character taunting, “Run for your life.”
As reported by Netflix’s Tudum, the official synopsis lays out the stakes: “A grieving woman (Theron) seeks solace in the wilderness only to become ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a ruthless serial killer (Egerton).” The film, written by Jeremy Robbins—known for his work on Aftermath and The Purge—is produced by Theron herself alongside director Baltasar Kormákur, whose previous credits include the survival epics Everest and Adrift. Eric Bana, another celebrated actor, rounds out the cast, though his character remains shrouded in mystery, as he does not appear in the initial trailer.
Filming for APEX began in February 2025, taking full advantage of Australia’s rugged and diverse terrain. According to Blue Mountains Gazette, key scenes were shot at Glenbrook Gorge, with the production team establishing their base at Lapstone Oval. Other notable filming spots included the Grand Canyon and Centennial Glen Canyon in Blackheath, as well as Wolgan View Canyon near Newnes Plateau. These locations weren’t chosen at random; director Baltasar Kormákur explained, “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 as our primary location. The unrivaled landscape, studio facilities, and talented crews in New South Wales have been a boon to this production.”
But it’s not just the scenery that’s drawing attention. Theron, renowned for her commitment to her roles, performed her own stunts, embracing the film’s physical demands with characteristic intensity. In an interview with People, she described the grueling preparation: “In this case, I was climbing a lot. I was climbing pretty much every day. And when I got to Australia I was kayaking a lot. That’s a massive workout. 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.” It’s the kind of dedication that not only elevates the realism of the film but also underscores the emotional vulnerability and resilience of her character.
Egerton, meanwhile, brings a menacing edge to his role as the antagonist, adopting a convincing Australian accent that adds an extra layer of authenticity to the film’s setting. The trailer hints at a psychological battle as much as a physical one, with Sasha questioning her pursuer: “You playing a game? Is that what you think we’re doing?” The interplay between the two leads, both physically and emotionally, is set to be one of the film’s highlights.
Eric Bana’s involvement, though less visible in the trailer, has also generated buzz. Known for his roles in Dirty John and HULK, Bana’s presence suggests that APEX will offer more than just a two-character showdown. The film’s ensemble, combined with Robbins’ screenplay and Kormákur’s direction, aims to deliver a high-stakes narrative that’s as much about the human spirit as it is about survival.
Netflix’s decision to shoot on location in the Blue Mountains is more than just a visual choice—it’s a narrative one. The wild, unpredictable Australian landscape becomes a character in its own right, amplifying the story’s tension and unpredictability. As Kormákur told Netflix’s Tudum, “Working in the rugged, beautiful terrains of Australia with three of the world’s most talented, dedicated actors in Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana is such a joy—even as I put them through the ringer in this unique survivor story.”
The anticipation surrounding APEX is not just due to its star power or stunning locations. The film promises to blend the visceral thrills of a survival thriller with the emotional complexity of a character drama. Netflix has highlighted that “the film layers emotional depth into a high-stakes fight for survival,” suggesting that audiences can expect more than just action. The story of a grieving woman forced to confront both her inner demons and a very real external threat taps into universal themes of loss, resilience, and the will to endure.
As the release date approaches—APEX is set to premiere globally on Netflix on April 24, 2026—speculation is mounting about whether the film will live up to its ambitious premise. Will Sasha’s ordeal resonate with viewers as more than just a spectacle? Can the film’s blend of breathtaking stunts, psychological tension, and emotional storytelling set a new standard for streaming thrillers?
For now, the trailer has certainly done its job: it’s left audiences eager for more, with just enough glimpses of danger, determination, and drama to whet the appetite. With a creative team that’s clearly passionate about the project, a cast willing to push themselves to the limit, and a setting that’s as formidable as any villain, APEX looks poised to be one of the most talked-about releases of 2026.
Sometimes, it’s the wildest places—and the wildest stories—that remind us what we’re truly capable of. APEX, with its blend of raw nature and raw emotion, aims to do just that.
