SACRIFICE
Starring: Chris Evans, Anya Taylor-Joy, Vincent Cassel, John Malkovich, and Salma Hayek Pinault
Director: Romain Gavras
NICK
There’s a lot reminiscent of Triangle of Sadness in the early going of Sacrifice, and although I enjoyed that film, I can’t say the same about this one. It starts strong as a satire on climate change focusing on the arrogance of the wealthy, led by a solid Chris Evans performance; however, once Anya Taylor-Joy's Joan enters the fray, everything falls apart. The early goodwill is undone by the inclusion of cult aspects and what becomes a quite annoying showing from Taylor-Joy. It all boils down to an unsatisfying conclusion that left me wondering what the point of it all was.
ROBERT
Sacrifice gave off a lot of vibes: The Northman, a little Galaxy Quest, and some of The Wicker Man. The aesthetic and the environment, along with the cast, set up a film which I thought would grab me. However, the Netflix mundanity model acted as an anchor; in the hands of another studio or distributor, I think it could’ve stood out and been more thought-provoking. Instead, it appeared kind of flat, where there was some shine (Chris Evans, Vincent Cassel) but mostly blandness (Salma Hayek Pinault: why?). If you are into the science vs. religion debate told through narrative story, might I suggest Lost instead?
This film was reviewed by Nick as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.