Film Review: "Apostle"
Film: Apostle (2018)
Director: Gareth Evans
Studio: One More One Production; Severn Screen; XYZ Films
LB Rating: 3/5
Apostle is good at everything except at being thrilling.
The film has all the ingredients for a genuinely terrifying experience. The plot takes place in the early 1900s, which takes away our familiar comforts and consequently, some modern gimmicks. Unsatisfied with the anachronism, protagonist Thomas Richardson ventures to secluded island inhabited by a cult which members look like emotionless humanoids. The setting by itself is off-putting, and the very least, depressing. Despite all of these, Apostle isn't scary.
I think the flaw lies with the lack of actual threat. The elements are there for a good suffocating tension: secluded island, brainwashed people, strict unreasonable rules, and violent cult leaders posturing as god-sent. There is such a narrow path for Thomas to succeed. And yet, I didn't feel like he wouldn't succeed. It's like he can get away with anything. He's had his night time sneaks that seemed too easy. He didn't appear to be have had any difficulties adapting with the strict environment.
At many points in the film, I feel like Thomas can just run away to the forests and have himself safe from any danger. It doesn't help that Thomas's sister was only shown momentarily early, and longer only late in the film, preventing me from sympathizing with her. At some point, I just thought Thomas would ditch her if things get rough. The cult followers weren't threatening. They all seem so lifeless as opposed to common cult notions of a mob, passionate about their beliefs and ready to incinerate those who believe otherwise. The cult followers appear to be lethargic, incapable of actual pursuit of Thomas. The cult leaders on the other hand are indeed imposing, but the sub-plot of them fighting each other undermined their menacing stances.
I only felt him in peril for two moments in the film: one was when he was about to be asked to recite some bible passage, and the other was when he was being chased by the creepy grandma monster (apparently called The Goddess of the island). Even in the latter, he got away with nothing much but a scratch and a fright. After all, a grandma monster becomes less terrifying the longer the scene--what else is she gonna do? Bite Thomas teethless? Aside from these two instances, I was able to sit back, relax, and let the story unfold--sadly even during the climax action.
During the climactic fight between the grandma slave (I think he was called the Grinder) and Thomas, I was already dissensitized with the apparent threats of the film. It came to a point where I expected Thomas to lose a limb to show an actual consequence to his mission.
This lack of threat and consequently the poor delivery of a horror experience is particularly annoying due to how well everything else already is. As I said early, the setting is unsettling and the plot is more than capable of suffocating the protagonist. However, the pacing, the lack of consequences to breaking the rules, the climax and the pay offs just weren't able to keep up.
How about the underlying message?
Apostle is a depiction of religious faith in its final days. There is this juxtaposition of the dying faith of the cult members who were promised prosperity but received none, and of Thomas Richardson who was a missionary sent to Christian-hostile China. As I watch more of the film, it becomes apparent that the Thomas and the cult members, despite disillusionment, are still seeking redemption no matter what form or what source. So who gets what in the end?
As for the cult members, they were able to witness the violent implosion between the cult leaders. Right there and then, the sham that is their cult belief could no longer be denied. And so they fled the island at the first sign of danger, another chance for second life.
As for Thomas, it gets a bit tricky. He was disillusioned of his Christian belief due to horrifying persecution in China. Usually, this kind of plot device tends to restore the belief already given up. For Thomas, instead of being affirmed of his discouraged Christian belief, he was exposed to the existence of other gods as he was able to encounter the supernatural--the Goddess of the Island. In this weird way however, he was able to exhibit Christian compassion for the Goddess. Thomas gave the Goddess the release she craved for, and replaced her as the island's new God.
In the end, Thomas didn't return to the arms of Christ, as it appears that he still scorned his persecution in China. However, Thomas found another cause worth sacrificing his life for: his sister. And so he did sacrifice his life for his sister, which also freed the Goddess and the cult members in the process. I think this ending qualifies as a redemption for Thomas, though not in the way it is usually expected.
Overall, the underlying narrative on faith presents the notion that faith remains as a personal relationship with whom faith is given, be it a cult leader, the Christian God, or a family member. It isn't a relationship simply defined by an institution. Hence, the ultimate sacrifice inevitably demanded by the test of faith is an individual choice, and in so choosing, one achieves redemption.
As a final note, I really think that Apostle is good film. The atmosphere is well-made; the actors gave compelling performances; and the narrative is great. It's just not exactly thrilling. Perhaps, if only the film didn't present itself as a horror-thriller, then I could have enjoyed the film through the lens of different expectations. Regardless, Apostle is a must-watch.
P.S.: I made this review in 2018, but only got around to posting it now, in 2020. Been busy as a slave bee. As a preventive measure to contracting COVID-19, I ask you guys to practice social distancing. Thanks!
Director: Gareth Evans
Studio: One More One Production; Severn Screen; XYZ Films
LB Rating: 3/5
Apostle is good at everything except at being thrilling.
The film has all the ingredients for a genuinely terrifying experience. The plot takes place in the early 1900s, which takes away our familiar comforts and consequently, some modern gimmicks. Unsatisfied with the anachronism, protagonist Thomas Richardson ventures to secluded island inhabited by a cult which members look like emotionless humanoids. The setting by itself is off-putting, and the very least, depressing. Despite all of these, Apostle isn't scary.
 |
| Apostle (2017) is available on Netflix. What isn't? (Image source: Grimmagazine.com) |
I think the flaw lies with the lack of actual threat. The elements are there for a good suffocating tension: secluded island, brainwashed people, strict unreasonable rules, and violent cult leaders posturing as god-sent. There is such a narrow path for Thomas to succeed. And yet, I didn't feel like he wouldn't succeed. It's like he can get away with anything. He's had his night time sneaks that seemed too easy. He didn't appear to be have had any difficulties adapting with the strict environment.
At many points in the film, I feel like Thomas can just run away to the forests and have himself safe from any danger. It doesn't help that Thomas's sister was only shown momentarily early, and longer only late in the film, preventing me from sympathizing with her. At some point, I just thought Thomas would ditch her if things get rough. The cult followers weren't threatening. They all seem so lifeless as opposed to common cult notions of a mob, passionate about their beliefs and ready to incinerate those who believe otherwise. The cult followers appear to be lethargic, incapable of actual pursuit of Thomas. The cult leaders on the other hand are indeed imposing, but the sub-plot of them fighting each other undermined their menacing stances.
 |
| The scene isn't as scary as the picture suggests. You can definitely sleep on it. (Image source: Crackdownreview.com) |
I only felt him in peril for two moments in the film: one was when he was about to be asked to recite some bible passage, and the other was when he was being chased by the creepy grandma monster (apparently called The Goddess of the island). Even in the latter, he got away with nothing much but a scratch and a fright. After all, a grandma monster becomes less terrifying the longer the scene--what else is she gonna do? Bite Thomas teethless? Aside from these two instances, I was able to sit back, relax, and let the story unfold--sadly even during the climax action.
During the climactic fight between the grandma slave (I think he was called the Grinder) and Thomas, I was already dissensitized with the apparent threats of the film. It came to a point where I expected Thomas to lose a limb to show an actual consequence to his mission.
This lack of threat and consequently the poor delivery of a horror experience is particularly annoying due to how well everything else already is. As I said early, the setting is unsettling and the plot is more than capable of suffocating the protagonist. However, the pacing, the lack of consequences to breaking the rules, the climax and the pay offs just weren't able to keep up.
 |
| Dan Stevens' killer gaze gave Thomas Richardson such fiery mystery. (Image source: Screenrush.com) |
How about the underlying message?
Apostle is a depiction of religious faith in its final days. There is this juxtaposition of the dying faith of the cult members who were promised prosperity but received none, and of Thomas Richardson who was a missionary sent to Christian-hostile China. As I watch more of the film, it becomes apparent that the Thomas and the cult members, despite disillusionment, are still seeking redemption no matter what form or what source. So who gets what in the end?
As for the cult members, they were able to witness the violent implosion between the cult leaders. Right there and then, the sham that is their cult belief could no longer be denied. And so they fled the island at the first sign of danger, another chance for second life.
As for Thomas, it gets a bit tricky. He was disillusioned of his Christian belief due to horrifying persecution in China. Usually, this kind of plot device tends to restore the belief already given up. For Thomas, instead of being affirmed of his discouraged Christian belief, he was exposed to the existence of other gods as he was able to encounter the supernatural--the Goddess of the Island. In this weird way however, he was able to exhibit Christian compassion for the Goddess. Thomas gave the Goddess the release she craved for, and replaced her as the island's new God.
In the end, Thomas didn't return to the arms of Christ, as it appears that he still scorned his persecution in China. However, Thomas found another cause worth sacrificing his life for: his sister. And so he did sacrifice his life for his sister, which also freed the Goddess and the cult members in the process. I think this ending qualifies as a redemption for Thomas, though not in the way it is usually expected.
 |
| Thomas, as the island takes him to be its new God. (Image source: Gamespot.com) |
Overall, the underlying narrative on faith presents the notion that faith remains as a personal relationship with whom faith is given, be it a cult leader, the Christian God, or a family member. It isn't a relationship simply defined by an institution. Hence, the ultimate sacrifice inevitably demanded by the test of faith is an individual choice, and in so choosing, one achieves redemption.
As a final note, I really think that Apostle is good film. The atmosphere is well-made; the actors gave compelling performances; and the narrative is great. It's just not exactly thrilling. Perhaps, if only the film didn't present itself as a horror-thriller, then I could have enjoyed the film through the lens of different expectations. Regardless, Apostle is a must-watch.
P.S.: I made this review in 2018, but only got around to posting it now, in 2020. Been busy as a slave bee. As a preventive measure to contracting COVID-19, I ask you guys to practice social distancing. Thanks!
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