Apostle
"Your god can't help you."
In 1905 a man travels to a remote island to search for his missing sister, who has vanished into a hard pressed religious sect. He crosses ragged cliffs and fog shrouded shores, chasing rumors and fragile clues through wary villages. The mission pushes him to confront more than the cults cruelty,... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: February 08, 2026
About Apostle
In 1905 a man travels to a remote island to search for his missing sister, who has vanished into a hard pressed religious sect. He crosses ragged cliffs and fog shrouded shores, chasing rumors and fragile clues through wary villages. The mission pushes him to confront more than the cults cruelty, exposing old wounds and a stubborn resolve that may not survive what lies ahead. As the mystery deepens, cryptic signs, whispered beliefs, and a suffocating sense of isolation press in, bending time and perception. The film avoids easy answers, instead forcing you to weigh loyalty, faith, and what you are willing to sacrifice for family.
Gareth Evans directs Apostle, anchored by Dan Stevens as Thomas Richardson alongside Michael Sheen and Lucy Boynton. The Netflix release in 2018 presents Evans with a bleak, claustrophobic horror mystery that leans on atmosphere rather than spectacle. It's an original story focused on a remote island cult rather than an adaptation, showcasing Evans's patient pacing in a restrained setting.
There was no traditional theatrical run for Apostle since it was released by Netflix, so there are no standard box office figures to report. The film found its audience primarily through streaming rather than cinema screens.
Cultural impact: The film sparked discussion among horror fans about its religious imagery, sound design, and the way isolation heightens dread. Critics and viewers noted Stevens's steady restrained performance and the island setting that reframes cult tropes into a bleak meditation on faith and coercion.
Reception and themes: On the public record Apostle holds a 6.133/10 rating from 1,536 votes, signaling a mixed but engaged response. Critics often praise the film for its atmosphere and its exploration of belief under pressure, loyalty, and the costs of following a violent creed. Some viewers wish for tighter pacing, but the core tension remains.
What Viewers Are Saying
Apostle comes off as a tense mash of psychological thriller and dark fantasy, with a moody isolated island cult vibe that sticks with you. Dan Stevens gives a calm, restrained performance as the man trying to rescue his sister, and the atmosphere does most of the heavy lifting even when the lore stays a bit murky. Some viewers push back saying it targets Christianity with inverted imagery, while others praise its bold, surreal turn and the way it leans into ambiguity rather than a neat ending. The general vibe is a fearless, unsettling mood piece that sticks with you long after the credits.
Details
- Release Date
- September 21, 2018
- Runtime
- 2h 9m
- Rating
- R
- User Ratings
- 1,536 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Horror, Mystery
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- XYZ Films +2 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Dan Stevens
Thomas Richardson
Michael Sheen
Malcolm Howe
Lucy Boynton
Andrea
Mark Lewis Jones
Quinn
Bill Milner
Jeremy
Kristine Froseth
Ffion
Paul Higgins
Frank
Richard Elfyn
Charles
Catrin Aaron
Elaine
John Weldon
Lonely Passenger
Director: Gareth Evans