Charlize Theron’s Explosive Return to Action: First Look at Netflix’s Wild New Thriller Has Fans Shook as ‘The Old Guard’ Faces Off Against a Relentless Serial Killer in a Heart-Stopping, High-Stakes Cat-and-Mouse Game!! Get ready for the ultimate thrill ride — Charlize Theron is back and fiercer than ever in Netflix’s latest action-packed survival thriller! In this nerve-rattling new film, Theron leads a fearless team as they confront a brutal serial killer in an intense, high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The first look at the film is already sending shockwaves through fans, with Theron proving once again why she’s the queen of action cinema. From her jaw-dropping performance in The Old Guard to this unrelenting new chapter, she’s taking action to a whole new level. This is more than just a thriller — it’s a fight for survival, and it’s about to get brutally intense. Buckle up, because you won’t want to miss this!

Atomic Blonde. Æon Flux. The Old Guard. Academy Award winner Charlize Theron is no stranger to action, with the acclaimed actress throwing herself back into the fray once again in the first look at the upcoming Netflix action thriller, Apex.

Several new images from the upcoming action survival thriller (that includes a serial killer for good measure) have now been released via Netflix and PEOPLE, showing off Theron’s action hero prowess as she fights to survive the merciless wilderness and a bloodthirsty killer. The former comes courtesy of Australia, while the latter will be played by Kingsman star Taron Egerton. Troy, Hulk, and Untamed star Eric Bana makes up the supporting cast.

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, known for such action outings as Contraband and 2 Guns, the survival thrillers Everest and Adrift, and the Idris Elba-led survival movie that falls somewhere in the middle, Beast, Apex is scheduled to be released on Netflix on April 24, 2026, and you can check out the first look images and official synopsis below…

“A grieving woman testing her limits in the Australian wilderness is suddenly ensnared in a deadly game with a ruthless predator.”

‘Apex’ Proved a Challenge Even for Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron has been throwing herself into action thrills for years now, but the challenge of making Apex proved a challenge even for the genre veteran. As teased in the new images, the action thriller will see her climbing mountains and careening down rapids, and all while being hunted. Speaking to PEOPLE, Theron addressed the unique obstacles that came with leading Apex…

“In this case, I was climbing a lot. I was climbing pretty much every day,” she says. “And when I got to Australia I was kayaking a lot. That’s a massive workout. I was just getting a 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.”

Director Baltasar Kormákur, meanwhile, heaped praise on his leading lady, describing it as “fascinating” to watch the Oscar winner transform into an extreme sports enthusiast.

“It was fascinating seeing Charlize transform and take on the different challenges that the role required. From an avid (barefooted) climber to a great kayaker and swim through crazy rivers, not to mention fight for her life. We decided not to take any shortcuts and just dig in and go through it, and she certainly did.”

As well as tossing Theron back into the action thriller fray, Apex will also see the typically heroic Taron Egerton play against type as the villain of the piece. “I was very excited by not having to worry about what my hair looked like every day,” the actor said of the new grooming regime (he sports a shaved head as seen in the images) that came with being the bad guy. Once again, Apex is all set to debut on Netflix on April 24, 2026.