Picture Credits: Getty Images
Following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Netflix has officially scooped up (via Deadline) the US rights to Romain Gavras’ highly anticipated satirical eco-thriller Sacrifice. Boasting one of the most exciting ensemble casts of the year—including Chris Evans, Anya Taylor-Joy, and pop sensation Charli XCX—here is everything you need to know about the upcoming movie.
Directed by acclaimed French-Greek filmmaker Romain Gavras, best known to Netflix subscribers for his jaw-dropping 2022 action epic Athena, Sacrifice is shaping up to be one of the wildest streaming releases of the year. Gavras co-wrote the script alongside Will Arbery, crafting a story described as a “modern Joan of Arc” tale that takes aim at phony celebrity activism, wealth obsession, and crackpot doomsday beliefs.
The film comes from production heavyweights Iconoclast, Film4, and Heretic, with CAA Media Finance brokering the domestic rights deal with Netflix.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sacrifice before it hits Netflix in the US.
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What is the plot of Sacrifice?
Clocking in at 103 minutes, Sacrifice is a full-tilt, energetic satire that blends high-stakes crime thriller elements with dark comedy.
The story unfolds at a glamorous, A-list environmental gala in Greece that feels more like a Hollywood vanity party than a serious summit to save the earth. Among the attendees is Mike Tyler, an oblivious action-movie star hoping to cure his existential crisis and reset his brand by delivering a rousing speech on climate change. Also in attendance is Braken, a billionaire drumming up support for a highly questionable deep-sea mining venture.
The lavish event is violently hijacked when Joan, the zealous leader of a doomsday eco-cult, storms the gala with her disciples. Driven by a prophecy, Joan and her eco-terrorist acolytes are convinced that a massive volcano off the coast is about to erupt and end the world. Their only solution? Offering up suitably famous, high-profile sacrifices to appease the earth.
If you were hoping for an awards season darling, you might want to temper your expectations. Despite the massive star power and intriguing premise, Sacrifice hasn’t exactly been a hit with critics following its festival run. The film currently sits at a decidedly “Rotten” 37% on Rotten Tomatoes.
While a few reviewers praised Gavras’ virtuoso visual style and bold, “eat the rich” satirical swings—with FirstShowing calling it “wild, and brash yet still highly entertaining”—the general consensus is that the thriller quickly loses its way. Several critics have pointed out that the film starts strong but devolves into a “tonally disjointed mess” that “mistakes noise for meaning,” ultimately meandering toward a baffling finale.
Who is in the cast of Sacrifice?
If you’re looking for star power, Sacrifice delivers in spades. The movie features a stacked, eclectic cast of A-listers and rising stars:
- Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, Furiosa) as Joan, the radical leader of the doomsday eco-cult.
- Chris Evans (The Gray Man, Knives Out) as Mike Tyler, a successful but completely oblivious action star looking for a comeback.
- Vincent Cassel (Black Swan) as Braken, a shady billionaire pushing deep-sea mining.
- Salma Hayek Pinault (Black Mirror) as Gloria Bracken / Mrs. Braken.
- John Malkovich (Space Force) as Joan’s father.
- Sam Richardson (I Think You Should Leave) as Oliver.
Rounding out the incredibly buzzy ensemble are Ambika Mod (One Day), pop icon Charli XCX (making another major acting appearance following Erupcja), and Swedish rapper Jonatan “Yung Lean” Leandoer.
Who is behind the movie?
Romain Gavras takes the helm as director, producer, and co-writer. He shares writing duties with Will Arbery (Succession).
The impressive behind-the-scenes team includes cinematography by Matias Boucard (who collaborated with Gavras on Athena), editing by Benjamin Weill, production design by Arnaud Roth, and costume design by Hannah Edwards. The original score is composed by GENER8ION.
The feature is produced by Robert Walak, Jacob Perlin, Romain Gavras, Gregory Jankilevitsch, Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska, and Giorgos Karnavas. Sacrifice is a co-production between the United Kingdom and Greece, officially produced under Iconoclast, Mid March Media, Heretic, and Film4.
Production took place throughout the fall of 2024, with the cast and crew shooting on location in Greece and Bulgaria between early October and early December.
When will Sacrifice be released on Netflix?
Since the film already made its splashy World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025 under the Special Presentations banner, the movie is fully finished. Netflix hasn’t confirmed an exact streaming date just yet, but given the current timeline, we expect to see it hit the platform very soon.
Are you excited to check out Sacrifice when it arrives on Netflix in the US? Let us know in the comments below!
