Sacrifice is bringing together one of the most unexpected ensembles of the year. The satirical thriller from French director Romain Gavras pairs Chris Evans and Anya Taylor-Joy as adversaries in a hostage crisis set against a volcanic backdrop. Netflix released the first full trailer on September 16, 2026, giving audiences a proper look at the film ahead of its October 16, 2026 streaming debut. The movie premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival before Netflix acquired its U.S. rights in May 2026. Alongside its two leads, the film features a mix of veteran actors, rising stars, and musicians making the leap to the screen.
Chris Evans as Mike Tyler
Chris Evans leads the film as Mike Tyler, a fading movie star trying to rebuild his career after a viral public meltdown. His comeback attempt takes him to an environmental charity gala, where he becomes one of three hostages taken by a radical group. Evans also serves as an executive producer on the project. Gavras praised Evans in a Netflix interview, noting that his comedic timing is remarkable and that he brings intelligence to the role.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Joan
Anya Taylor-Joy plays Joan, the leader of a radical eco-warrior cult who believes a volcanic extinction event can only be stopped by sacrificing three people. She and her followers storm the gala and take Mike, a billionaire, and an unlucky guest captive. Taylor-Joy described the film as deeply meta in an interview with Netflix, explaining that it explores individual effort versus collective action and how numb people have become to things that matter.
Vincent Cassel as Ben Bracken
Vincent Cassel stars as Ben Bracken, described as the world’s richest man. He and his wife host the environmental gala that becomes the site of the hostage crisis. Cassel is one of the three hostages taken by Joan’s group. The French actor previously worked with Gavras on the 2010 drama Our Day Will Come.
Salma Hayek Pinault as Gloria Bracken
Salma Hayek Pinault plays Gloria Bracken, a pop star and the wife of billionaire Ben Bracken. She co-hosts the gala alongside her husband. Hayek Pinault is part of the film’s extended cast, which Deadline highlighted when announcing Netflix’s acquisition of the film’s U.S. rights.
John Malkovich as Gunnar
John Malkovich portrays Gunnar, the father of Joan, Arthur, and Louise. His role connects directly to the cult leader’s backstory and the family dynamics that drive the film’s central conflict. Malkovich joined the project alongside several other high-profile names when the cast was first announced in late 2024.
Ambika Mod as Katie
Ambika Mod plays Katie, described in the film’s synopsis as a woman who is simply unlucky. She is the third hostage taken alongside Mike Tyler and Ben Bracken. Mod is known for her role in the Netflix series One Day and also appears in Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag.
Sam Richardson as Oliver
Sam Richardson stars as Oliver, Mike Tyler’s agent. Richardson is a familiar face in comedy, having appeared in Ted Lasso and Veep. His character navigates the chaos of the gala from the perspective of someone trying to manage a struggling client’s career.
Jonatan Yung Lean Leandoer as Arthur
Swedish rapper Jonatan “Yung Lean” Leandoer makes his film debut as Arthur, one of Joan’s followers and a member of her family. Deadline noted that this marks Yung Lean’s first major film role. He appears alongside Taylor-Joy and Jade Croot in first-look images from the film.
Jade Croot as Louise
Jade Croot plays Louise, another member of Joan’s radical group and a sibling to Arthur. Croot previously appeared in the Netflix series The Witcher as Princess Adda.
Miriam Silverman as Anna
Miriam Silverman stars as Anna. Silverman is a Tony Award-winning actress known for her work on Broadway. She is part of the core ensemble that makes up the film’s supporting cast.
Charli XCX as Mother Nature
Pop star Charli XCX appears as Mother Nature in what is described as a key supporting role. The musician has been expanding her acting work, and her involvement in Sacrifice was confirmed when the cast was first announced. Her character name suggests a symbolic or metaphorical presence in the film’s exploration of environmental themes.
Jeremy O. Harris
Jeremy O. Harris is also part of the ensemble cast. Harris is known for his work as a playwright and actor, including a role in Emily in Paris. His addition to the film was reported alongside the other cast announcements in November 2024. The specific character he plays has not been widely detailed in promotional materials.
Georgette Crochon
Georgette Crochon appears in the cast list, though details about her specific role have not been extensively covered in early promotional materials. She is part of the larger ensemble bringing Gavras’ vision to life.
What the Story Is About
The film follows a movie star in the middle of an existential crisis who attends a charity gala hosted by a billionaire and his pop star wife. The event is hijacked by a radical eco-warrior and her followers who believe that sacrificing three people to a volcano will prevent an extinction-level event. What begins as a glamorous evening quickly turns into a hostage crisis that forces everyone involved to confront questions of belief, identity, and what they are willing to sacrifice.
Gavras co-wrote the screenplay with Will Arbery, known for his work on Succession. The film was shot across striking locations in Greece, including a volcano in Santorini and a marble quarry in Volakas. The director has described the film as a roller coaster that asks audiences to let go and enjoy the ride.
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Production and Release Details
Sacrifice is produced by Gavras, Robert Walak, Jacob Perlin, Gregory Jankilevitsch, Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska, and Giorgios Karnavas. Evans, Taylor-Joy, and Arbery serve as executive producers. The film is a co-production between the United Kingdom, Greece, the United States, and Bulgaria.
The movie runs 101 minutes and carries an R rating. It hits Netflix in the United States and France on October 16, 2026. International buyers have secured distribution across multiple territories, with a theatrical corridor expected in some markets before the streaming release.
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