From RLJE Films, Shudder, and AMC+, the thriller “The Apology” has a fascinating moral premise. The film centers on a recovering alcoholic preparing to host her family’s Christmas celebration. This is, of course, twenty years after her daughter’s disappearance, a tragic event that has scarred her life. Then her estranged ex-bother-in-law arrives unannounced, bearing nostalgic gifts and a heavy secret. While it’s unclear what he knows, the film seems to posit this question: what would you do, after a horrific, damaging event in your life with no resolution, if someone turned up and offered perhaps some closure and maybe something an apology? Would you want revenge? What would you do with the knowledge of knowing who perpetrated some horrible calamity on your life? The film might not be a traditional horror, but it certainly sounds like it veers toward psychological horror.
READ MORE: The 50 Best Horror Movies Of The 21st Century So Far
Directed and written by Alison Star Locke, in her feature film writing/directing debut, “The Apology:” stars Anna Gunn (“Breaking Bad,” “Sully”), Linus Roache (“My Policeman,” “Homeland”), and Janeane Garofalo (“Wet Hot American Summer,” “Reality Bites”). The film will be released by RLJE Films on December 16 in theaters and will stream on Shudder and AMC+ simultaneously.
Here’s the official synopsis:
In THE APOLOGY, twenty years after the disappearance of her daughter, recovering alcoholic Darlene Hagen (Anna Gunn) is preparing to host her family’s Christmas celebration with her best friend Gretchen (Janeane Garofalo). Late Christmas Eve, Darlene’s estranged ex-brother-in-law, Jack (Linus Roache), arrives unannounced, bearing nostalgic gifts and a heavy secret. Soon, Darlene finds herself caught between reason and ruthless instinct. Trapped together by a dangerous storm, a battle of wits escalates to a violent game of revenge.
“The Apology” looks and sounds gutting, a potentially cathartic thriller about vengeance, payback, and maybe some resolution to traumatic pains. And it certainly looks like an excellent showcase for the talented Anna Gunn. The film arrives on December 16 in theaters and on Shudder and AMC+. Watch the first trailer below.