Apostle

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Apostle

2018

2h 9m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

70 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

London, 1905. Prodigal son Thomas Richardson has returned home, only to learn that his sister is being held for ransom by a religious cult. Determined to get her back at any cost, Thomas travels to the idyllic island where the cult lives. As Thomas infiltrates the island's community, he learns that the corruption of mainland society that they claim to reject has infested the cult's ranks nonetheless - and uncovers a secret more evil than he could have imagined.

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Critics Consensus

Apostle resists easy scares in favor of a steady, slow-building descent into dread led by a commanding central performance from Dan Stevens.

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Meagan Navarro

Bloody Disgusting

Evans departs from his usual action fare to weave a gripping story centered around unique Pagan-like mythology steeped in blood and sacrifice. It's folk horror, but with a new level of brutality and viscera unlike most of its ilk.

Rated: 4.5/5

Dec 17, 2018

Full Review

Dan Jolin

Empire Magazine

A muddled Wicker Man-inspired horror that has bursts of style, but fails to find depth beneath its blood-spewing surface.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 15, 2018

Full Review

Tasha Robinson

The Verge

But for the most part, it's a breathlessly oppressive experience, a dark and sometimes strikingly beautiful film that lives up to its most obvious cinematic forefathers.

Oct 13, 2018

Full Review

Kate Boyle

InSession Film

Apostle leaves a lot to be desire despite great potential.

Rated: C

Mar 8, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

The blood-soaked and metaphorically charged second half is sure to leave some squirming in their seats. But it’s fitting in this examination of oppression under the guise of religion and the costs of misguided faith.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

Josh Parham

Next Best Picture

The results absolutely deliver, and Evans creates an effectively creepy setting that feels authentic and tactile.

Rated: 7/10

May 29, 2022

Full Review

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Logan D

In 1905 Britain, an apostate (Dan Stevens) returns from his travels of the world to learn his sister has been kidnapped and held for ransom on an isolated island. He travels there to infiltrate a cult and free her. A grim, slow-burning folk horror (the best kind!) that eventually becomes a feverish nightmare. One of my favorite actors, Stevens portrays a man who isn't a hero but does love his sister enough to place himself in harms way. The story has the moral decay I enjoy observing (in fiction!) and I was immersed into the community built upon offerings for a healthy harvest. There is some gore but I also enjoyed some was left to the imagination. Highly recommended. Perhaps the best folk horror I've seen in a while.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/25/25

Full Review

DAVID W

An idiotic gore fest. Stupid story - stretches the suspension of disbelief beyond breaking point. Don’t waste your time

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/06/25

Full Review

Ricardo M

Apostle is about a man looking for his sister that got kidnapped by a religious cult. Trapped on an island and forced to make allies in an attempt to rescue his sister he finds himself entangled with the religious leaders, a demonic being, and god in a fight for his life. Enthralling, appalling, original, twisted, dark, sinister, dramatic, and religious.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/03/25

Full Review

Kyle W

Too many glaring holes. It was underwhelming .

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/02/25

Full Review

Aluna U

Apostle delivers a chilling blend of psychological thriller and dark fantasy with a well-paced buildup, strong performances, and eerie tension throughout. While some mythology remains vague, its unsettling atmosphere and layered narrative keep viewers gripped. An intense watch for fans of mystery and cult-based horror. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

Full Review

Kenneth C

Engaging, suspenseful, entertaining. However, there are too many moving parts and frankly, unless you read ahead, you can get easily lost trying to comprehend who is who and what they represent in the story line. The “goddess” and the “Grinder” mix reality with supernatural, and the movie may have worked far better excluding them altogether and keeping it as a simple cult film with a kidnapping and ransom and rescue.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/22/25

Full Review

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Gareth Evans

Director

Dan Stevens

Thomas Richardson

Lucy Boynton

Andrea

Michael Sheen

Prophet Malcolm

Kristine Froseth

Ffion

Mark Lewis Jones

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Apostle: Trailer 1

1:59

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Synopsis

London, 1905. Prodigal son Thomas Richardson has returned home, only to learn that his sister is being held for ransom by a religious cult. Determined to get her back at any cost, Thomas travels to the idyllic island where the cult lives. As Thomas infiltrates the island's community, he learns that the corruption of mainland society that they claim to reject has infested the cult's ranks nonetheless - and uncovers a secret more evil than he could have imagined.

Director: Gareth Evans
Producer: Gareth Evans, Ed Talfan, Aram Tertzakian
Screenwriter: Gareth Evans
Production Co: XYZ Films, Severn Screen Limited
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 12, 2018
Runtime: 2h 9m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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