Apex

Thomas Malone, a former detective, sits in prison for a crime he insists he did not commit. A shadowy program offers him a chance at freedom if he can endure Apex, a lethal hunt staged on a secluded island. Six hunters pay to chase a single captive for sport and Malone volunteers, hoping the ordeal will clear his name. When the island gates close, the rules prove slippery and traps appear at every turn. Rivalries flare, loyalties shift, and the landscape becomes a maze of danger where trust is scarce and every decision could be his last. The game pushes Malone to question who he can rely on while the clock ticks down toward a brutal confrontation. Malone, keeping his wits about him, stays vigilant as the threats close in around him.

Directed by Edward Drake, Apex arrived in 2021 as an original concept from Corey Large. The cast includes Bruce Willis as Malone with Neal McDonough, Corey Large, Alexia Fast, and Nels Lennarson in supporting roles.

Box office: Apex had a limited release and did not produce widely reported worldwide grosses, reflecting its niche appeal as a genre title primarily distributed for streaming and home video.

Reception was mixed, with some critics praising the lean setup and brisk pace, while others found the plot familiar and the performances uneven. The film raises questions about justice and manipulation and the ethics of turning human life into sport, all within a high stakes survival framework. The review landscape shows a mix of admiration for its efficiency and frustration with familiar tropes.

Cultural impact remains limited for Apex, despite Bruce Willis on screen. The title circulates among genre fans on streaming and occasional late night airings, prompting memes and conversations about spectacle and punishment in modern thrillers, but it has not sparked lasting trends. Fans debate how a limited budget can still create intense moments.