The Secret Behind Apex’s Jaw-Dropping Climbing Scenes — Framestore’s VFX Magic Explained

If you’ve watched Netflix’s Apex and wondered how those terrifyingly real cliff sequences were pulled off without sending Charlize Theron up a 3,500-foot Norwegian mountain — you’re not alone. The answer lies in some brilliantly invisible visual effects, and the man at the centre of it all is Framestore’s VFX supervisor, Gavin McKenzie.

Who Is Gavin McKenzie?

McKenzie has 16 years of experience in the visual effects business and oversaw the crafting of the opening and final climb sequences in Apex for Framestore — the same studio that previously worked with director Baltasar Kormákur on Everest. The result? Seamless, pulse-quickening scenes that even the film’s cinematographer couldn’t fault.

Apex Film : Overview

How the Troll Wall Was Built in a Computer

The cast never actually went to Norway, so for helicopter shots and wide angles, Framestore needed to create fully digital versions of the actors, complete with all their climbing equipment. The biggest challenge was building a digital environment that held up for both sweeping wide shots and tight closeups — requiring custom mountain models and variants to ensure nothing looked repeated or artificial.

Invisible VFX: The Art of Staying Hidden

McKenzie’s philosophy is all about restraint. He explained that the digital effects came together with practical elements seamlessly — that was always the objective, as the VFX he prefers is the kind the audience never even realises is there.

When it came to avoiding the dreaded uncanny valley effect, the team grounded every decision in reality — using stunt performances and real climbing footage as reference wherever possible, and even studying YouTube videos of climbers falling to ensure the animation felt completely authentic.

Digi-Doubles Done Right?

For the moment when Tommy falls from the wall, director Kormákur wanted the audience to feel like they were plummeting with him — making it a fully CG shot. The team based all animation on real-world reference footage of climbers being caught by ropes. The Art of VFX

The result is one of Netflix’s most visually convincing action sequences in years. For more on the best films and tech-driven productions on streaming right now, head to TechnoSports and explore our latest Netflix coverage.

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