Apostle is an unsettling graphic and violent folk horror tale with substance.

Apostle is a supernatural folk horror drama that has some very gruesome and violent elements. But it also has a hidden message with a social or rather naturalistic subtext. It’s a beautifully shot period film with themes like faith, fate, yearning for freedom, but very contradictory having a need for worshipping something. Another contrast is men living in harmony with nature, while at the same time enslaving it and abusing it for their own needs. With a backdrop of the supernatural, an idyllic feel, relentless gruesomeness, it’s full of an ominous atmosphere that is disturbing and creeps up on you slowly, until escape has become impossible and doom inevitable. 

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Plot

In 1905 Thomas Richardson receives a letter that holds the message that his sister has been kidnapped. He sets out for the small island just off the coast of Wales to find Jennifer and to bring her home safely. On the island, called Erisden by the cult that inhabits it, he goes undercover to look for her. Soon he discovers that something is not right and that the cult has gruesome rituals and a dark secret. With the help of some of the younger members he tries to free Jennifer and escape the island before it’s too late.

Why you should watch it

Although Apostle can be quite gruesome and graphic with violence and sadism, it’s also of a certain beauty. The island, the shots of nature are idyllic and it’s ironic to conclude that men is the one who pollutes it with greed, corrupts the land with selfishness and a hunger for power. It seems inevitable that wherever or however men want to live a peaceful life in harmony with nature, they always fall back to their need for hierarchy, power and control. It’s no difference in Apostle and even turns more dangerous and sinister.

The cult itself is very eerie and at first sight it becomes evident that they don’t live in peace but in fear. Controlled by one man, Malcolm Howe and two convicts Frank and Quinn, who holds power over them and over the Goddess that inhabits the island, he is destined to doom them all. The behavior of the cult is very creepy, their acts are terrible and horrifying and the Grinder, with his meat-grinding table and Malcolm Howe’s Heathen table, a sacrifice device aka torture device feels like a totem-pole that looms over them to keep them in line.

The disturbing and fearful atmosphere that oozes nothing but terror and dread and doom is tangible all the time. The disturbing drum music adds to this unnerving vibe. The visceral horror, the graphic horror, the gruesome acts, but also some surreal scenes and the supernatural mystery that surrounds the little colony, give it a unique authentic atmosphere that is enthralling and intriguing. 

Nature is everywhere, the cult is surrounded by it, is dependent of it, it’s the theme of the film and the setting. They worship a Goddess of Nature who inhabits the island, it’s as much her story as it is Thomas’ story to rescue his sister. It’s a story about purification, by the cult who uses blood sacrifices to ensure that the land stays fertile. They use rituals to slay the disobedient, but in the end it’s about a whole different kind of purification that will be the ironic end of the cult.  

The story is told in a beautiful way, sometimes creepy, sometimes surreal, sometimes very violent and graphic, but with a unique voice that results in a very original folk horror tale. It’s a tale about love, hope, faith, fate and doom and sacrifice. But also about corruption, greed and lust for power and control. It’s a story about people. Their fears and hopes and believes, to fight for what they love and about Nature. It’s a story about the circle of life and death which is symbolized by a satisfying ending.

My favorite part

Although it can be sometimes a very difficult watch, the ending makes up for it in a highly satisfying and rewarding way. It’s hopeful despite all the violence and hurt that was inflicted. The symbolism of the importance of nature and the respect we should have for what nature gives to us, is wonderfully integrated into the story. While it’s very subtle and mysterious for a while with the focus on the brutalities of men, the symbolism becomes more real during the film and results eventually in a very all-too-real psychical entity. It’s nature personified, more relatable. It’s just beautifully done, it’s sad and shameful and hurtful and the last scenes are what this tale is all about. 

Ratings

Rating: ★★★★★

Scare factor: ★★★★☆

Thrill factor: ★★★★★

Gruesome factor: ★★★★★

Originality factor: ★★★★★

Cast and crew

Apostle is directed and written by Gareth Evans. It stars Dan Stevens (Thomas Richardson), Michael Sheen (Malcolm Howe), Mark Lewis Jone (Quinn), Lucy Boynton (Andrea), Kristine Froseth (Ffion), Bill Milner (Jeremy), Elen Rhys (Jennifer), Paul Higgins (Frank), Richard Elfyn (Charles) and Sharon Morgan (Her).

Duration: 130 minutes. Music by: Aria Prayogi, Fajar Yuskemal. Cinematography: Matt Flannery. Edited by: Gareth Evans. Produced by: Gareth Evans, Ed Talfan, Aram Tertzakian Production company: One More One Productions, Severn Screen, XYZ Films. Distributed by: Netflix. 

Check the trailer below

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