The Apology

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1:16

The Apology

Released Dec 16, 2022

1h 31m

Holiday

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

55%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

33%

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

Full Review

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

Ian Bunting

Daily Record (UK)

...its simple-but-captivating story is best left unspoiled.

Mar 5, 2025

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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David B

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/22

Full Review

M T

Atmosphere and setting was good. Story was mediocre how it played out. This is a movie to put on in the background while browsing or doing other stuff at the same time.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/25

Full Review

Timothy P

Bad acting! Bad writing! Depressing story! Skip!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/23/24

Full Review

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

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Alison Locke

Director

Anna Gunn

Darlene Hagen

Linus Roache

Jack Kingsley

Janeane Garofalo

Gretchen Sullivan

Holland Bailey

Sally Hagen

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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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