Is The Apostles Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2014)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 2014, The Apostles represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Lorraine is a young novelist who has been suffering from severe headaches, nightmares and occasional short-term memory loss from a car accident. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Lorraine is a young novelist who has been suffering from severe headaches, nightmares and occasional short-term memory loss from a car accident. Daily medication has become a part of her life. One day, a plane crash kills Lorraine’s husband Kenny. Not long after the accident, a call made by Kenny’s cell phone startles Lorraine. On the other side of the line is a man named Ben. His fiancée Lynn was killed in the same plane crash. Kenny’s cell phone was put into Lynn’s remains by mistake. Out of curiosity, Ben checks out Kenny’s phone and finds evidence which leads him to believe that Kenny and Lynn were having an affair and were planning to run away together to a small town called X. Their sudden departure leaves Lorraine and Ben with a lot of unanswered questions. They decide to travel to X, an eventful journey with terrifying things in stall for them."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Josie Ho does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Joe Chien Jen-Hao is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 100 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is The Apostles truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 1/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, The Apostles explores the dichotomy of fear and discovery. The 2014 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Joe Chien Jen-Hao respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, The Apostles is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Josie Ho or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, The Apostles is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.