EF: 11.07 — Sacrifice (2025)

“Is this, like, an interactive thing?” (seeing the gala suddenly taken over by armed cultists).

Note: Skipping 11.05 and 11.06, for now. Gotta be alliterative, ya know.

Watched: Nov. 8, 2026

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*Only one very minor spoiler

Sacrifice (2026)

Plot: A radical environmental cult hijacks a lavish billionaire charity gala on a Greek island, convinced that three human sacrifices to a volcano are necessary to prevent Earth’s extinction. A disgraced movie star (Chris Evans) gets caught up in their apocalyptic prophecy.

Sacrifice is a dark satire of celebrity culture, billionaire hypocrisy, environmental activism, and religious fanaticism. Directed by Romain Gavras— he’s newer, French. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025. Netflix acquired it in May and finally streamed it October 16 of this year. An eternity later.

Starring: Chris Evans, Anya Taylor-Joy, Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel, Sam Richardson, and Charli XCX. Plus a few other surprises…

For whatever reason people seem to hate new movies about climate change. (Sacrifice isn’t actually about it, but pretends to be.) Both Sacrifice and Iñárritu’s, Digger (review forthcoming) have flatlined at the box office and received excrement from both ends of critics’ digestive tracts. Despite their technical sophistication and solid performances from some of the industry’s brightest stars.

I glow remembering that filmmakers are *big boys and girls who can assess the merits of their own work. Besides, even Iceland’s primordial waterfalls receive one-star Google reviews. Sacrifice is no different. As the late David Lynch said, “Those who don’t know, they don’t know. Those who know, they enjoy.”

Now, I placed an asterisk next to “big boys and girls” because you and I both know that’s a pie-eyed fantasy. We’re actually massively insecure, brooding emotional volcanoes who boil at the slightest utterance of criticism. And sometimes erupt in childish tantrums.

Enter our HERO (Chris Evans). The Platonic Form of an Actor. Merely a few satirical shades removed from Stiller’s pouty-faced puppy, Zoolander. “Blue Steel.” (Snaps selfie.) A walking existential crisis. A molten identity melting down in real time, across platforms. Much to the horror of his talent agent (Sam Richardson), who’s left helplessly holding the hot, fraying leash.

I mean, what a role! For The Human Torch!🔥 Man.

Now, a *minor spoiler. Go ahead and read it, because I think it’ll actually make the film more fun to watch. And more fun to comment about here also.

I won’t say who. There are a lot of characters, but I’m still smiling about one in particular. It’s a rare archetype, and it’s utilized so effectively here. You can look for this character if you watch, and try to guess who it is. But don’t look too hard. And be patient.

The archetype I’m talking about is The Witness. If you appreciate the Witness here, I think you’ll appreciate the film. I know I did. Comment below if you think of Witness characters from other stories who left a lasting impression. You know, like the one Harrison Ford protects in Amish country.

Maybe they even tell us who it is in Sacrifice. Maybe they’re supposed to be part of the cult ritual. Shit. I don’t know. I watched on a tiny screen at low volume, and still, I welled up with some feels. Can’t wait to watch it again. I haven’t even listened to this amazing soundtrack yet. Sacrifice is a work of art that deserves the big screen. But at least settle for a Netflix and chill. I for one was pleasantly surprised.

EF 🤍🥷🤍