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Apocalypto

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Apocalypto

R

Released Dec 8, 2006

2h 17m

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

199 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

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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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: B-

Feb 14, 2012

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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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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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Don A

It seems like most of the negative reviews had more to do with a personal political distain for Mel Gibson, violence in movies, or depiction of indigenous people being violent more so than an objective review of the movie itself... This movie has a cult like following and has become a classic. It's one of Gibson's best. It's well directed, and the acting is superb, especially if you take into account that that no big named actors were in the film. In fact, the people in the film weren't professional actors at all.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/23/25

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Ryan W

There aren't that many films depicting Mesoamerican cultures. I feel like there was a good effort to make it look authentic, even if it isn't 100% accurate. Story is not controversial as some have said.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/18/25

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Arsalan N

A bone shuttering tale in picture ***Masterpiece***

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

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Robert G

A friigin masterpiece. How on earth can this movie have a rating below 90%? Think what you will of Mel Gibson but he’s a genius as far as movie making goes. This movie is so good. It could be watched without the sound on and it is still riveting from start to finish. Incredible cinematography, the most exciting history lesson, and hold onto the edge of your seat action / excitement all the way through. Thanks Mel.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

Lucifer M

This film is one hell of an epic masterpiece! Gibson may be a controversial figure but he’s one phenomenal filmmaker, that’s for sure. For those that are sensitive and easily offended claiming that it’s showing indigenous people as barbaric savages…let me give you a sobering reminder that, yes, they actually did things just like shown in the film! Mass sacrifices were part of their culture to appease their gods. This isn’t fake Hollywood exploitation or exaggeration here folks. Biased criticism solely because you may not like the director and his controversies does not have to bleed into his filmmaking. Hate the man but the art speaks for itself! The cinematography, the set and costume designs, makeup, SFX, score, editing and the performances all around are top notch here and in full display. Gibson is at his best when creating period epics. He genuinely has a natural talent and an eye for authenticity , no matter what he’s tackling.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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J D

Sucked just like Mel

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

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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