Most days, it feels as if we’re circling the drain as a species, thanks to the horrific effects of rapid climate change, unchecked billionaires, and empty platitudes that are grabs at power and little more. Wouldn’t it be nice to take some of the people responsible and throw them into an active volcano? In his new film, Sacrifice, director Romain Gavras fires shots at high society while issuing a warning to those who knowingly light the fires that set the world on fire. Today, Netflix debuted a stylish trailer for Sacrifice that teases the madness to come.
A synopsis for Gavras’ latest film reads: During a star-studded charity gala brimming with celebrities, billionaires, and empty speeches, a movie star in the midst of an existential crisis (Evans) is taken hostage by a radical warrior (Taylor-Joy) and her devoted followers.
As the night descends into chaos, both an inward journey and an outward adventure ensue, where the lines between performance and belief — and salvation and Sacrifice — begin to blur.
A Glitzy Cast for a Dark Satire
Sacrifice features a glitzy cast, with Chris Evans, Anya Taylor-Joy, Vincent Cassel, and Salma Hayek-Pinault leading the festivities. They’re joined by Jonatan “Yung Lean” Leandoer, Charlie XCX, Sam Richardson, and John Malkovich as extended cast members.
“Cold Water in the Face”: The Stars Breakdown the Satire
“It’s such a meta movie to be a part of,” says Taylor-Joy. “I see a lot about individual effort versus collective effort. I see a lot about just how numb people have become, the lack of importance placed on things that actually matter rather than this easier, entertaining way of looking at things. It’s this concept that you can sweep things under the rug, and I think Joan [her character] and her tribe are cold water in the face to that.”
A Modern Take on Classic Mythology
Though Sacrifice isn’t based on a single text, Gavras and Arbery pulled from the mythology Gavras loved as a child, sprinkling in some unexpected additions along the way.
“The inspiration goes from Greek myths to French stories like Joan of Arc,” Gavras says. Jokingly, he adds, “And another myth that is more recent, which is Lord of the Rings. Will and I were writing, and at some point we’re like, ‘Oh, we’re making Lord of the Rings.’ It’s a journey of people wanting to throw the ring of power in a volcano, and we are making the same journey.”
Not All Sacrifices Pay Off
Our Editor-in-Chief, Chris Bumbray, saw Sacrifice at TIFF last year. Unfortunately, he thought Garvas’ film was one of the most significant misfires of the event. In his review, Chris said, “While technically a well-made movie, Gavras’s Sacrifice seems doomed to the same fate as last year’s The End, meaning it will largely pass unnoticed. It’s ambitious work from talented people, but it doesn’t quite land.”
Sacrifice hits Netflix in the US and France on October 16th.
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