Chris Evans and Anya Taylor-Joy Shine in ‘Sacrifice’

Chris Evans and Anya Taylor-Joy, two of Hollywood’s most compelling stars, have joined forces in the bold and visually striking film Sacrifice. Directed by Romain Gavras, known for his sharp eye and genre-blending style, the movie premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to mixed reviews but undeniable intrigue. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Greece’s active volcanoes, the movie offers a mix of satire, action, and existential drama that delves into themes of ego, faith, and environmental crises.

A Bold Concept Filmed on Active Volcanoes

The production of Sacrifice was as ambitious as its premise. Shot over ten weeks in Greece and Bulgaria, the film took full advantage of natural landscapes, including caves, caverns, and the slopes of Santorini’s active volcanoes. Chris Evans, portraying Mike Tyler, a fading Hollywood star grappling with his father’s death and personal failures, described the physically demanding shoot as transformative. Speaking to Tribune, Evans shared, “You’re just looking around at the majesty of the world. The volcano represents transformation, surrender, peace.”

Anya Taylor-Joy stars as Joan, a radical eco-terrorist and cult leader who believes that sacrificing three wealthy individuals, including Mike, to the volcano will prevent an environmental catastrophe. For Taylor-Joy, the role resonated deeply amidst her own climate change anxieties. “This is what you do with big feelings. You go away and make art about it,” she told reporters. The ensemble cast also includes Vincent Cassel as a tech billionaire, Salma Hayek Pinault as his wife, and John Malkovich as Joan’s enigmatic father, adding layers to the film’s complex narrative.

Thematic Depth: Ego, Faith, and Transformation

At its core, Sacrifice is an allegory about letting go of ego and finding a higher purpose. Co-written by Gavras and Pulitzer-finalist playwright Will Arbery, the script explores the collision of modernity and ancient beliefs. The film juxtaposes Mike’s self-loathing and desperate search for redemption with Joan’s unwavering conviction in her mission, creating a fascinating, albeit uneven, tension.

Critics have been divided on the movie’s execution. While The Film Stage praised Taylor-Joy’s magnetic performance as Joan, it found Evans’ portrayal of Mike lacking depth, calling it “milquetoast.” Similarly, The Hollywood Reporter acknowledged the film’s ambitious swing but criticized its tonal inconsistencies, describing it as “a cluttered, comic cri de coeur.”

Despite the critiques, the film’s exploration of faith, both blind and reasoned, and its commentary on the vacuous postures of the oligarch class struck a chord with some audiences. The movie’s satirical edge, combined with its visually stunning aesthetic, makes it a thought-provoking addition to the “eat-the-rich” subgenre.

Behind the Scenes: Chemistry and Challenges

Interestingly, Evans and Taylor-Joy had barely met before filming began, but their on-screen chemistry developed naturally over the course of the production. “She’s an allegorical representation of Mike’s soul,” Evans noted in an interview with Variety. Their dynamic, coupled with the physically grueling shoots atop volcanoes, brought an authenticity to their performances.

Beyond the leads, the supporting cast delivered standout moments, particularly Vincent Cassel and Salma Hayek Pinault, whose characters satirize the hypocrisy of wealthy environmentalists. Charli XCX and Swedish rapper Yung Lean also make memorable appearances, adding a contemporary pop-culture flavor to the film.

Producer Giorgos Karnavas, speaking with Iconoclast, remarked on the challenges of shooting on active volcanoes. “The logistics were incredibly complex, but the result speaks for itself. The natural beauty and raw power of the environment became a character in itself,” he said.

Mixed Reception and Legacy

While Sacrifice has polarized critics, its audacious approach ensures it won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Some have compared it to Ruben Östlund’s Triangle of Sadness and The Menu, though others argue it lacks the bite of those films. “It’s another supposedly radical act that woefully fails to inspire action,” noted The Hollywood Reporter.

Yet, for all its flaws, Sacrifice manages to ask pressing questions about humanity’s relationship with nature and the sacrifices required for true change. As Evans aptly put it, “Sometimes you make movies that really speak to your soul — and this was one of them.”

Whether you see it as a messy masterpiece or a missed opportunity, Sacrifice undoubtedly captures the zeitgeist, offering a cinematic mirror to our collective anxieties about the planet and our place in it.