Sacrifice has begun its Netflix release, with the streamer publishing a new cast guide on October 16. Romain Gavras directs the dark comic adventure, which places Chris Evans’ struggling actor Mike Tyler in the path of a group led by Anya Taylor-Joy’s Joan.
The trouble starts at a charity gala attended by wealthy guests and celebrities. Joan’s followers believe a looming catastrophe can be prevented through human sacrifice at a volcano. Mike’s attempt to repair his public image therefore takes a rather different turn from the one his agent expected. The ensemble also includes Vincent Cassel, Salma Hayek Pinault, Ambika Mod, Sam Richardson and John Malkovich.
In an interview with TheWrap timed to the release, Gavras described combining his discomfort with performative celebrity events and the darker fairy tales he remembered from childhood. He wrote the screenplay with Will Arbery, whose television work includes Succession. Their premise brings hollow public virtue into collision with people whose belief is frighteningly literal.
Gavras also discussed the practical difficulty of assembling distribution for an independently financed film across different territories. Netflix is handling the U.S. release. The film previously premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.