Is Apex based on a true story?

by

(Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Apex.)

Apex, a new action thriller now streaming on Netflix, follows Sasha (Charlize Theron), a skilled rock climber, as she’s pursued by a dangerous serial killer named Ben (Taron Egerton). It’s a gripping and suspenseful film.

Apex, a survival drama directed by Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur (known for projects like the 2025 BBC miniseries King & Conqueror and the 2015 film Everest), tells the story of Sasha, a woman coping with loss after the death of her life partner and fellow rock climber.

While several recent movies have showcased climbing, like the popular documentaries Free Solo and Skyscraper Live, Apex isn’t a documentary itself and isn’t based on a true story.

As a movie buff, I’ve always been fascinated when films seem to pull from real life. With ‘Apex,’ I started noticing some striking similarities to actual events. So, I dug a little deeper to figure out just how much of it is based on fact and how much is pure fiction. Let’s explore that now…

Is Apex based on a true story?

In short, Apex is not inspired by a true story.

Comparisons could be made, however, between Egerton’s character and some real-life serial killers.

Robert Hansen, a notorious Australian serial killer, didn’t simply kill his victims; he actively hunted them down first.

Ivan Milat, an Australian serial killer, also targeted travelers, and his horrific crimes served as the basis for the 2005 horror movie, Wolf Creek.

Both Milat and Hansen’s approaches resemble Egerton’s character, but the team working on Apex hasn’t said if this was deliberate.

When building his character, Taron Egerton explained to Empire that the most unsettling aspects are often the unknown – the parts we can’t quite see – and he felt that applied to his character, Ben, as well.

He went on to say he appreciated the subtle references and implications about a difficult relationship with the character’s mother. However, he felt that explicitly explaining the character’s past or diagnosing their issues would diminish the mystery and intrigue.

As a huge fan of ‘The Silence of the Lambs,’ I always find it fascinating how much we do learn about Hannibal Lecter, but honestly, it’s what remains hidden about him that’s truly chilling. There’s so much mystery still surrounding his past and motivations, even after all this time.

Egerton drew inspiration for his portrayal of the character from both famous fictional villains and, surprisingly, Peter Pan.

The actor explained in the film’s notes that when he first received the script, the character was a more traditional ‘rugged outdoorsman’ – pictured with a long beard and his hair tied up.

After discussing the character with the director, we decided to portray him as a child who’s playfully pretending to be an adult – someone trying to seem more mature and knowledgeable. This approach proved really helpful, and it actually sparked the ideas we later developed with the Peter Pan themes.

As a movie fan, what really struck me about this film is how well the filmmakers – Jeremy Robbins and Egerton, whoever inspired them – put you right inside Sasha’s head as she fights to survive. It’s a classic serial killer story, but the setting is totally fresh and unexpected for the genre, which I loved.

Authors

Alex Hewitt

Read More

2026-04-29 13:39