Cast
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Dan Stevens
as Thomas Richardson
Michael Sheen
as Malcolm Howe
Lucy Boynton
as Andrea
Mark Lewis Jones
as Quinn
Bill Milner
as Jeremy
Kristine Froseth
as Ffion
Paul Higgins
as Frank
Richard Elfyn
as Charles
Catrin Aaron
as Elaine
John Weldon
as Lonely Passenger
Ross O'Hennessy
as Suspicious Passenger
Gareth Pierce
as Man #1
Rhys Meredith
as Man #2
John Norton
as Man #3
Ioan Hefin
as Bell Ringer
Crew
Director
- Gareth Evans
Producer
- Gareth Evans
- Ed Talfan
- Aram Tertzakian
Reviews
John Smith
This movie is anti-Christian. Look at the inverted cross in the name itself. It has an agenda - it's not just a movie. Do not watch it, do not let your close ones watch it either.
There are many more other good horror flicks out there who can do it without demonising religion (and not any or all religion, it specifically targets Christians).
Oct 13, 2018
Gimly
I think far too many movies that go for a similar vibe to _Apostle_ aren't willing to take that very important step into actually embracing your supernatural/fantasy/gothic elements. _Apostle_ on the other hand, goes full hog saying "fuck that", and in turn I'm saying "Please sir, may I have some more."
_Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._
Jan 20, 2019
Wuchak
***Mysterious first half devolves into muddled half-baked horror cheese***
A man in 1905 Wales (Dan Stevens) goes undercover as a member of a weirdo cult to save his captive sister on an isolated island.
"Apostle" (2018) has a similar plot to “The Wicker Man” (1973/2006) and a setting akin to “The Village” (2004) and “The Ritual” (2017), but it’s the least of these.
The first half is a decent set-up; a little dull, but nice and mysterious with a fantastic setting and village set. Unfortunately, the second half devolves into half-baked horror cheese with a couple of random torture scenes to supposedly keep things "exciting."
I was shocked at how bad the second half was -- bad flow, no finesse, ill-conceived, lack of consistency, too ambiguous -- just lousy wannabe-horror filmmaking. It’s like the director needed 20 more minutes to properly tell the story, but was pressured to keep the movie as close to 2 hours as he could and so clumsily forced the footage in the second half together.
Nevertheless, the movie's provocative upon reflection, particularly its commentary on human-made hybrid religions and the potential for corruption and abuse thereof. Think Jeroboam's syncretic religion when the northern kingdom of Israel broke from Judah; he concocted two golden calf idols and appointed illegitimate "priests." It was influenced by Judaism and featured some of its trappings, but left out the most important part (God).
The film runs 2 hours, 10 minutes and was shot in Wales. I would like to see a "Director's Cut" that runs at least 2.5 hours with all the expository footage that was unfortunately left on the cutting room floor.
GRADE: C (First half B- / Second half D)
May 31, 2019
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Mystery/Drama/Fantasy film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Apostle presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Gareth Evans brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2018, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Apostle took approximately 33 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 130 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 155 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 988 individual shots.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 7 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 2018, when this film is released:
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Apostle shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Baian the Assassin, which focuses more on action than character development, Apostle offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Red Dragon and Scanners explore similar territory, Apostle stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 21, 2018
- Runtime: 2h 10m
Where to Watch
