Apocalypto

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Apocalypto

R

Released Dec 8, 2006

2h 17m

Adventure

Action

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Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

199 Reviews

79%

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250,000+ Ratings

The Mayan kingdom is at the height of its opulence and power but the foundations of the empire are beginning to crumble. The leaders believe they must build more temples and sacrifice more people or their crops and citizens will die. Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), a peaceful hunter in a remote tribe, is captured along with his entire village in a raid. He is scheduled for a ritual sacrifice until he makes a daring escape and tries to make it back to his pregnant wife and son.

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Critics Consensus

Apocalypto is a brilliantly filmed, if mercilessly bloody, examination of a once great civilization.

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David Edelstein

New York Magazine/Vulture

Apocalypto demonstrates two things: that Mel Gibson is a hell of a filmmaker and that his imaginative world borders on the Neanderthal.

Jun 29, 2007

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Empire Magazine

Apocalypto is a strange but largely entertaining mix of action, bloodletting, chin-rubbing and arthouse trimmings.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 5, 2007

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

It's escapism - the world would be a lot safer if good and evil were so clearly defined - and it's something that Mel Gibson proves (once again) that he does very, very well in Apocalypto.

Mar 24, 2007

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James Croot

The Post NZ

A film for the passionate, brave of heart and strong of stomach.

Rated: 4/5

May 5, 2023

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Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

It makes all of the violence and pain portrayed onscreen feel extra exploitative of indigenous people, history, and fact

Dec 8, 2021

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Gibson makes people nervous in part because he takes the obscene fascination with violence ... to such absurd heights that the entire phenomenon threatens to become visible and called into question.

Feb 14, 2021

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Tempest W

Love this movie, my top 1

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

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andras gaspar p

One of my favourite movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/12/25

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Isa B

SPOILER ALERT The audacious display of violence in this film will certainly get your attention. Personally, I liked the film very much and was giving it a really high mark, however, the ending left something to be desired for me. In perhaps the most intense moment of the film, Jaguar Paw makes it back to the hole where his wife, son and newborn baby are moments away from drowning. Mind you, Jaguar Paw is sporting two serious wounds, one of which pierced him through his side, several hours before this moment in time. His wife literally just gave birth, so to say that both Jaguar Paw and his wife were not 100% in this moment would be an understatement. Jaguar Paw, with concern in his eyes, looks down in the concerned eyes of his wife. Her eyes locked into the eyes of her loving husband as she holds their two children above water. Cut to them walking safely on a trail near the beach, pondering their future life. How on earth did they get out of the hole? I guess we didn't need that information. I mean, had the feat not been so damn improbable, we wouldn't have needed to see it. This film had some rather convenient saves too, which ultimately didn't bother me. The perfect timing of the eclipse, the jaguar attacking his enemy, the snake, etc. The bees and frog being used as weapons. The boats arriving just in time to distract the men who were seconds away from ending Jaguar Paw's life. Like I said, those don't bother me nearly as much as the escape at the end being left totally unexplained. That substantially dropped the film in value for me. I had this film as a great, great film until that moment. I slept on it and my score for the film is 90, making it a "very good" film, rather than a great one. I still totally recommend it. 90/100

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/01/25

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michael p

One of the best films ever made

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/25/25

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Kojo A

best movie ever made and it's not even in english

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

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Gerry G

I can’t believe I’m only seeing this movie now in 2025. The camera, the sets, screenplay, lighting, but mostly the acting are just a treat to watch. It is Corey, no question and I’ve no doubt it reflects elements of that era. Did I mention the acting?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

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Synopsis

The Mayan kingdom is at the height of its opulence and power but the foundations of the empire are beginning to crumble. The leaders believe they must build more temples and sacrifice more people or their crops and citizens will die. Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), a peaceful hunter in a remote tribe, is captured along with his entire village in a raid. He is scheduled for a ritual sacrifice until he makes a daring escape and tries to make it back to his pregnant wife and son.

Director: Mel Gibson
Producer: Mel Gibson, Bruce Davey
Screenwriter: Mel Gibson, Farhad Safinia
Distributor: Buena Vista
Production Co: Icon Entertainment International
Rating: R (Sequences of Graphic Violence|Disturbing Images)
Genre: Adventure, Action
Original Language: root
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 24, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $50.9M
Runtime: 2h 17m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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