Apostle
In a small North Korean village near the border of China, there are believers who get together in an underground church, away from the eyes of the persecuting government. When the missionary from China, their only support route, is cut off, things begin to get very tense. Chulho, who had been arrested along with his wife, returns. After losing his wife in the interrogations, Chulho had been released and unseen for 2 years before coming back to his home, claiming that he had been commanded by God to lead the believers across the border and into South Korea. The brothers wonder if Chulho is trustworthy, and whether it is the right thing to do to leave their homeland.
Insights
Plot Summary
In 1905, Thomas Richardson travels to a remote island to rescue his sister, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult. As he infiltrates the commune, he uncovers their disturbing rituals and the dark secrets behind their charismatic leader. Thomas must navigate a treacherous landscape of violence and fanaticism to save his sister and escape the island alive.
Critical Reception
Apostle received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its intense atmosphere, brutal violence, and strong performances, particularly from Dan Stevens. Some critics found the film's pacing uneven and its gore excessive, but most agreed it was a potent and unsettling horror experience.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its atmospheric dread and visceral violence.
- Dan Stevens's committed performance is a standout.
- Some found the pacing slow and the gore gratuitous.
Google audience: Audience reviews generally highlight the film's disturbing and intense nature, with many appreciating its commitment to a grim and violent narrative. Some viewers found it too extreme or slow-moving, but the majority acknowledged its effectiveness as a unsettling horror film.
Fun Fact
Gareth Evans, the director, also directed the acclaimed Indonesian martial arts films 'The Raid' and 'The Raid 2', and he initially conceived 'Apostle' as a smaller, character-driven horror film before expanding it.
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