Apostle Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A reformed drug addict goes to a spooky island to find his sister, only to discover the locals have a serious addiction to blood rituals and questionable farming techniques.

🍿 Apostle: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival on the Island

In 1905, Thomas Richardson journeys to a remote island off the coast of Wales. He seeks to rescue his sister, Jennifer, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious religious cult demanding a ransom. Thomas infiltrates the cult, posing as a new convert, and begins to uncover the secrets of their isolated community.

Cult Dynamics and Secrets

The cult, led by the charismatic Malcolm Howe, claims to have transformed the barren island into a fertile paradise through blood sacrifice. Thomas discovers the strained relationships within the community, including a forbidden romance between Jeremy, the son of Frank, and Ffion, the daughter of Quinn. He learns that Jennifer’s kidnapping is a desperate attempt to secure resources as the island’s fertility wanes.

Unveiling the Goddess

As Thomas digs deeper, he discovers the existence of a captive goddess who is the source of the island’s fertility. He encounters bizarre rituals and unsettling truths about the cult’s origins. Internal conflicts erupt as Quinn, one of the founders, challenges Malcolm’s leadership and seeks to seize control.

Descent into Chaos

Violence escalates as the cult unravels. Quinn murders Ffion, leading to Jeremy’s false imprisonment and subsequent ritualistic killing. Frank, enraged by his son’s death, rebels against Quinn. Thomas, aided by Frank, continues his search for Jennifer, uncovering the horrific truth about the goddess’s imprisonment and the cult’s reliance on her power.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Thomas Richardson (Dan Stevens): A former missionary who travels to a remote island to rescue his kidnapped sister from a mysterious cult.
• Malcolm Howe (Michael Sheen): The charismatic and increasingly unstable leader of the religious cult on the island.
• Quinn (Mark Lewis Jones): One of the founders of the cult, who is ruthless and power-hungry.
• Andrea (Lucy Boynton): Malcolm’s daughter, who is independent-minded and questions the cult’s practices.
• Ffion (Kristine Froseth): Quinn’s daughter, who defies the cult’s rules by engaging in a forbidden relationship.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Prophet Malcolm: “Where is the land which has no call for wars? Hmm? Arms? Money? Nor taxes? Well, that land is here.” – Malcolm fervently describes his vision of the island to his congregation, highlighting its freedom from worldly concerns.
• Prophet Malcolm: “We, I tell thee, we… we are free men.” – Prophet Malcom proudly proclaims the cult’s independence and self-governance during his speech.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Apostle Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely drawn into the world of Apostle! The atmosphere was thick with dread, and the violence was shocking but felt earned. The scene where Thomas finds the meat-grinding table had me gasping. It explores the dark side of faith, leaving you disturbed and thinking long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of folk horror”
  • “Viewers interested in cult themes”
  • “Those who appreciate atmospheric thrillers”
  • “Fans of Gareth Evans’s directing style”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Torture”
  • “Disturbing religious themes”
  • “Occult elements”
  • “Abortion”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “Evans blends folk horror with his signature brutal action sequences, crafting a visually stunning and genuinely unsettling experience. The film’s exploration of faith and fanaticism is thought-provoking.
• Variety: “While the film’s ambition is admirable, its sprawling narrative and uneven pacing sometimes detract from its impact. Despite this, the strong performances and visceral horror make it a worthwhile watch.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were captivated by Dan Stevens’ intense performance.: The movie has a gripping story and excellent cinematography.

The film is scary with a lot of shocking violent scenes.: Apostle is not for the faint of heart; its violence is very graphic.

Overall Consensus: Apostle is a divisive film, praised for its atmosphere, acting, and visceral horror, but criticized for its pacing and complex narrative. A worthwhile watch for horror fans seeking something unique and unsettling.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Gareth Evans, known for his action films like ‘The Raid’, deliberately shifted gears to explore folk horror and suspense with ‘Apostle’.”
• “The film’s visual style was heavily inspired by classic horror films and aimed for a grounded, realistic aesthetic, minimizing CGI in favor of practical effects.”
• “The remote island setting was crucial to the film’s atmosphere; Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff, Wales, UK served as a key filming location to capture the isolation and mystery.”

🖥️ How to Watch Apostle?

Apostle is available to stream on Netflix. Purchase or rental options are not available.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Apostle, you might like these similar films:

• The Wicker Man (1973): Shares similar themes of investigating a mysterious cult on a remote island with pagan undertones and sacrificial practices.
• The Witch (2015): Explores similar themes of religious extremism, paranoia, and the disintegration of a family unit within a secluded, historical setting.
• Mandy (2018): Features a protagonist driven by revenge against a deranged cult, with intense violence and surreal visuals.

🛒 Apostle Related Products

• The Wicker Man (Theatrical Cut) [Blu-ray]: Often compared to Apostle, this cult classic is essential viewing for fans of folk horror. The theatrical cut provides the most complete version of this unsettling story.
• Funko Pop! Movies: The Witch – Thomasin: This Funko Pop from *The Witch*, is a must have for horror enthusiasts.
• The Complete Works of H.P. Lovecraft: Delve into the mind of H.P. Lovecraft, whose themes of cosmic horror and ancient gods resonate with the darker elements of Apostle. This collection includes all of his essential stories and novellas.
• Cthulhu: Death May Die Board Game: This cooperative board game allows players to battle the mythos horrors from H.P. Lovecraft’s stories. Face the ancient ones in thrilling scenarios with miniatures and strategic gameplay.

🎧 Soundtrack

Apostle features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Clearing” – performed by Aria Prayogi, Fajar Yuskemal
• “She” – performed by Aria Prayogi, Fajar Yuskemal
• “Broad Is the Road” – performed by Traditional Hymn, Arranged by John E.R. Hardy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

APOSTLE (2018) Ending Explained

Confused by the ending of Apostle? This video breaks it all down! I found the explanation of the pagan rituals especially insightful; definitely worth a watch if you want to understand the movie on a deeper level.

✨ Rate