Charlize Theron Takes on the Australian Wild in Netflix’s Upcoming Film ‘Apex’

The upcoming Netflix original Apex is a high-stakes survival thriller directed by Baltasar Kormákur, scheduled for a global release on April 24, 2026. While the story follows a grieving rock climber, the true star of the film is its breathtaking and unforgiving Australian setting.

 

The Landscape as a Character

Filmed extensively across New South Wales, the production utilizes the rugged beauty of the Blue Mountains to create an atmosphere of isolation and dread. Key filming locations included:

Wandarra National Park: Serving as the primary wilderness backdrop.

Glenbrook Gorge: Used for intense river and climbing sequences.

Sydney & Western Sydney: Providing the urban contrast to the deep bushland.

 

Charlize Theron’s Physical Performance

Academy Award winner Charlize Theron stars as Sasha, an "adrenaline junkie" seeking solace in the wild. In a feat of extreme method acting, Theron reportedly performed many of her own stunts, including climbing mountain faces barefoot and navigating dangerous river rapids. This physical dedication highlights Sasha's transformation from a woman lost in grief to a fierce survivor hunted by a predator (Taron Egerton).

 

The film leverages Australia’s diverse terrain—from dense forests and sheer cliffs to murky caves—to turn the environment itself into a formidable antagonist.