Phew. Dodged a bullet there, I thought. Two bullets, even.

We’d switched on Netflix to watch Apex, starring Charlize Theron.

Theron plays the part of an elite athlete – a mountain-climber, kayaker and God knows what else – who seeks solace in the Australian outback following a terrible bereavement.

Only to be stalked by, you guessed it, a terrifying ritualistic serial killer.

Apex wouldn’t normally be my cup of tea, plus it only scored 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, but I was in the mood for something escapist, and I like Theron.

Only a few minutes into the film, Theron is shopping for supplies in a rural shop when she experiences some moderate pestering from a group of leering rednecks.

A mild-spoken local man quietly intervenes. The lads back off.

Theron’s response to his kindness, however, is merely one of cool politeness. Not quite grateful, even though she does purchase a packet of his jerky as a mark of appreciation before departing on a solo extreme kayaking expedition through a remote national park.

I had just read an article by psychologist Emma Kavanagh, which discussed how psychopaths have what she termed a “subconscious quest for dominance” and an “insatiable need to be at the top of the pile.” Ah, dominance.

Strange how the combination of Kavanagh’s comments and that scene in the outback shop reminded........

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