Anyone expecting a no-holds-barred martial arts epic for Gareth Evans’ next project – something akin to his acclaimed, groundbreaking action-fests such as Merantau and The Raid films – may have to get ready for something quite different, but no less compelling as the writer/director stretches his muscles in a more subtle direction.
The synopsis for The Apostle, which was filmed in desolate locations around Wales, will debut on Netflix in October, describes a story more like a cross between the classic The Wicker Man and another of Gareth’s previous projects, Safe Haven, from the horror anthology V/H/S/2.
The official synopsis reads: London, 1905. Prodigal son Thomas Richardson has returned home, only to learn that his sister is being held for ransom by a religious cult. Determined to get her back at any cost, Thomas travels to the idyllic island where the cult lives under the leadership of the charismatic Prophet Malcolm. As Thomas infiltrates the island’s community, he learns that the corruption of mainland society that they claim to reject has infested the cult’s ranks nonetheless – and uncovers a secret far more evil than he could have imagined. Written and directed by Gareth Evans’ Apostle is a harrowing occult fable where the only thing more horrifying than madness is the sinister reality behind it.
For the unnerving story Evans and his team have assembled a cast that includes a raft of talent famous for their ability to take on diverse and challenging roles – including Dan Stevens (Legion, The Guest, Downtown Abbey as Thomas, Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon, Underworld as Prophet Malcolm, Lucy Boynton (Murder on the Orient Express, Bohemian Rhapsody) and Mark Lewis Jones (Troy, Game of Thrones).
Apostle will debut on 12th October and the early word is that the result is something unexpected and interesting…
