Charlize Theron pays homage to a Sylvester Stallone classic in the opening scene of the Netflix hit

Netflix continues to surprise with films that, in many cases, arrive without much fanfare and end up becoming global hits. Such is the case with ‘Apex’, the survival thriller starring Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana, which has become the most-watched film in 89 countries thanks to its intense blend of action and adventure, backed by a top-notch cast.

The film gets off to a powerful start with a sequence that leaves a lasting impression from the very first minutes. Eric Bana surprises viewers with a key role in an opening scene alongside Charlize Theron that serves as a clear homage to ‘Cliffhanger’, the 1990s classic starring Sylvester Stallone, in which he played an experienced mountaineer.

What does this tribute entail? The scene takes place high in the mountains, specifically at Trollveggen—also known as the Troll Wall—the tallest vertical rock face in Europe, rising approximately 3600 ft from base to summit. In ‘Cliffhanger,’ the film began with the death of the girlfriend of Stallone’s character’s partner, an event that deeply affected him due to feelings of guilt. In ‘Apex,’ a nearly identical situation arises: Eric Bana’s character falls to his death during a descent, a victim of the harsh conditions and a fatal mistake by his partner, played by Theron.

An opening that pushes the viewer to the limit

This opening is particularly striking because it’s a big-budget production and because it shows the death of a leading actor in the film’s opening moments. An unusual narrative choice that, much like in ‘Cliffhanger’, is essential to the protagonist’s emotional development and to understanding the dark and extreme tone of the rest of the story.

What is ‘Apex’ about?

The film’s official synopsis describes the plot as follows: “Sasha, a fearless, adventure-loving woman trying to overcome deep grief, decides to venture into the Australian wilderness in search of inner peace, pushing herself to her limits. However, what begins as an extreme expedition through wild rivers and mountains turns into a desperate struggle for survival when she discovers that a ruthless killer is stalking her, having chosen her as his prey in a relentless game of cat and mouse.”

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