The Apology

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1:16

The Apology

Released Dec 16, 2022

1h 31m

Holiday

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

32%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Twenty years after the disappearance of her daughter, recovering alcoholic Darlene Hagen is preparing to host her family's Christmas celebration with her best friend Gretchen. Late Christmas Eve, Darlene's estranged ex-brother-in-law, Jack, arrives unannounced, bearing nostalgic gifts and a heavy secret. Soon, Darlene finds herself caught between reason and ruthless instinct. Trapped together by a dangerous storm, a battle of wits escalates to a violent game of revenge.

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Simon Abrams

RogerEbert.com

A grim and mostly satisfying locked-room thriller.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 16, 2022

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

The characters’ despair and passion remains gripping throughout, as they force each other into some overdue reckonings with the past.

Dec 16, 2022

Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

When the resolution of a movie depends in part on a fortuitously constipated dog, the only apology required is from whoever convinced you to watch in the first place.

Dec 15, 2022

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Common Sense Media

This drama/thriller, ironically adorned from top to bottom with cheerful holiday decorations, is a tough watch. But it does an admirable job of tapping into deep-seated emotions.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 2, 2023

Full Review

Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

Alison Locke drops one of the most agonizing Christmas stories in recent years, but also includes a glimmer of hope. The magic of the holidays still manages to come out, even in a thriller as bleak as The Apology.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 20, 2023

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Lex Briscuso

The Playlist

It’s hard to stay invested in a narrative this rote and predictable.

Rated: C

Dec 21, 2022

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David B

Edge of your seat thriller!! Wonderful acting and intelligent script!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/22

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Veranda M

This movie was boring and drawn out. I lost interest really quick, yet I watched it til the end. I would not recommend sitting through this movie. Find a different movie.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

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Scratch K

This movie had the structure to be a good movie but the script was weak. I feel like the actors could have delivered with a better script. Overall disappointment

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/02/24

Full Review

Jeffrey P

The Apology’s greatest success comes in making the audience see that the apology means nothing, and that the guy giving it needs to die. That intense animosity for the antagonist suspends tension as it leads the audience to feel like there's only one way for it to end, otherwise they feel cheated.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a very bold Idea with mediocre execution. if they wanted to keep it as it is - they needed: 1- better actors and im talking about phenomenal - ones that can keep you entertained by just looking at them act - Marlon Brando level. 2- Better writing - the script is not there. the twist comes wayyyyy too soon and the shift is done poorly with allot of question marks . why now? - is the main thought that came to mind with no answers. what we have here is almost the finale of a 3 seasons long tv series . so we dont really get the emotions they want us to have. they basically gave us something that had a real potential be Great almost Oscar worthy - but they couldn't pull it off . and its a shame. but with all the remakes out there - they can find the right team to make it good.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

Full Review

Audience Member

God make it stop. This is not Star Wars. Leslie Headland needs to go.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/14/24

Full Review

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Alison Locke

Director

Anna Gunn

Darlene Hagen

Linus Roache

Jack Kingsley

Janeane Garofalo

Gretchen Sullivan

Holland Bailey

Sally Hagen

Esmé McSherry

Young Sally

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The Apology: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Twenty years after the disappearance of her daughter, recovering alcoholic Darlene Hagen is preparing to host her family's Christmas celebration with her best friend Gretchen. Late Christmas Eve, Darlene's estranged ex-brother-in-law, Jack, arrives unannounced, bearing nostalgic gifts and a heavy secret. Soon, Darlene finds herself caught between reason and ruthless instinct. Trapped together by a dangerous storm, a battle of wits escalates to a violent game of revenge.

Director: Alison Locke
Producer: Stacy Jorgensen, Kim Sherman, Lisa Whalen
Screenwriter: Alison Locke
Distributor: RLJE Films
Production Co: Company X
Genre: Holiday, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 16, 2022
Runtime: 1h 31m

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