Apostle (2018) suddenly goes viral again on Netflix thanks to Dan Stevens. What happened?

Netflix fans have been gripped by a Downton Abbey star’s horror movie, hailing it as ‘an all-time favourite’ with extreme g0re and ‘proper mystery’.

Apostle, released in 2018, sees Dan Stevens – best known as Matthew Crawley in the iconic ITV period drama – looking rather different.

The horror film, set in the early 1900s, has Dan play a man trying to rescue his sister from a remote Welsh island, where she is being held for ransom by a religious cult.

It was written and directed by Welshman Gareth Evans, well known for co-creating 2020 British action series Gangs of London, starring Paapa Essiedu and Peaky Blinders‘ Joe Cole among others.

The Netflix original movie has an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 79 per cent – and fans have now rediscovered it, taking to the review site to express their praise.

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Netflix fans have been gripped by a Downton Abbey star’s horror movie, hailing it as ‘an all-time favourite’ with extreme g0re and ‘proper mystery’

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Apostle, released in 2018, sees Dan Stevens – best known as Matthew Crawley in the iconic ITV period drama (pictured) – looking rather different

The horror film, set in the early 1900s, has Dan play a man trying to rescue his sister from a remote Welsh island, where she is being held for ransom by a religious cult

One said: ‘I’m generally not a fan of supernatural thrillers but this is a story mostly of people behaving badly with just a little supernatural thrown in to make it a little more creepy.

‘Not good for “sensitive” souls as it comes with plenty of bl00d but not overdone in my opinion. Well done cinematography.’

Another commented: ‘As a huge fan of quality horror films, Apostle stands out.

‘A slow burn of anxiety and dr3ad, it makes the most out of its settings and concepts. It could have seemed slow if not for the proper use of mystery.

‘It doesn’t shy away from g0re, but the vi0lence is by no means senseless here.

‘Apostle is by no means perfect. However, it’s among one of the all-time favourites of the genre.’

Similarly, one person said: ‘Definitely one of the best horror movies I have seen.’

Someone else was just as keen on it: ‘It’s a violent, imaginative gothic tale with plenty to think about, thanks to the brainpower of Gareth Evans.

The Netflix original movie has an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 79 per cent

Alongside Dan as protagonist Thomas Richardson, the cast boasts some other starry names too

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Fans have now rediscovered film, taking to review site Rotten Tomatoes to express their praise

‘The cast are superb as is the cinematography. It’s one I had to rewatch to truly appreciate its depth and beauty as a film. I’m glad I did.’

Alongside Dan as protagonist Thomas Richardson, the cast boasts some other starry names too.

Michael Sheen plays the cult leader Malcolm Howe and British-American actress Lucy Boynton (Miss Potter) stars as his daughter Andrea.

Rising star Kristine Froseth, known for her recent turn in 2023 Apple TV+ period drama The Buccaneers, plays the daughter of Malcolm’s deputy Quinn.

And while others are full of praise for their performances, some viewers were not so keen.

One brutally said: ‘This is genuinely one of the worst movies, if not the worst movie, I have ever watched. Waste of two hours entirely.’

Another was particular disappointed: ‘Interesting concept and story. Started out strong with good acting. Then 45 minutes of total boredom and static.

‘Watching wet paint dry would have been more interesting.

Michael Sheen plays the cult leader Malcolm Howe (pictured)

Lucy Boynton (Miss Potter), pictured, stars as his daughter Andrea

Director Gareth, well known for his work on the Indonesian action film series The Raid, has said he tried to make Apostle different to other horror movies

But while others are full of praise for their performances, some viewers were not so keen

‘Then it picked up the pace again but became muddled in a series of spasmodic, disjointed and confused nonsense.’

Director Gareth, well known for his work on the Indonesian action film series The Raid, told Collider about how he tried to make Apostle different to other horror movies.

‘With horror, usually, all of those suspense builds and tension builds are to jump scare, but then the release is really quick, he explained.

‘They just say, “Pop”, and it’s gone. You’ve got the little jolt and then you carry on.

‘For me, what I wanted to do instead is wait, where I can sustain that sense of dr3ad, sustain that feeling of danger so you don’t get those jump scare release moments.

‘I might move you into another part of the plot, but I haven’t let you let go of that feeling yet.’

Fans’ rediscovery of the movie comes as lead actor Dan’s old Downton Abbey co-stars team up one final time for the beloved series’ last spin-off film.

Dan’s character Matthew made a shock departure from the show in 2012, during the Christmas Day special – to viewer outrage.

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Fans’ rediscovery of the movie comes as lead actor Dan’s old Downton Abbey co-stars team up one final time for the beloved series’ last spin-off film (pictured, the trailer)

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The Downton Abbey franchise, which began in 2010, has gone on to produce two spin-off films about the beloved Crawley family and their Yorkshire estate

Set in the 1930s, the third and final film (pictured, the trailer) will see the return of beloved stars like Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan

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Dan’s character Matthew’s tragic d3ath in a car crash (pictured) came only in series three – just halfway through the show’s total six series

The Downton Abbey family returns for one last ride in new teaser

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His tragic d3ath in a car crash came only in series three – just halfway through the show’s total six series.

He was klled off because the actor wanted to pursue other opportunities.

And Dan has since starred in X-Men spin-off series Legion and Disney’s live action Beauty And The Beast remake in 2017.

The Downton Abbey franchise, which began in 2010, has gone on to produce two spin-off films about the beloved Crawley family and their Yorkshire estate.

And now, the story is set to come to a close, with the third and final movie Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which will be released on September 12.

Set in the 1930s, it will see the return of beloved stars like Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan.

Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox and Raquel Cassidy will also feature.

It also stars new additions, Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola and Simon Russell Beale.