01 October,2026 01:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
A still from Sacrifice. Pic via special arrangement
Chris Evans is heading into dangerous territory with Sacrifice, an action-adventure dark comedy that turns an exclusive charity gala into a fight for survival. Directed by Romain Gavras, the film stars Evans alongside Anya Taylor-Joy and Salma Hayek and will premiere in India on Lionsgate Play on October 16.
Set against the backdrop of a lavish gathering attended by celebrities, billionaires and other high-profile guests, Sacrifice follows movie star Mike Tyler, played by Evans. What begins as an extravagant evening takes a sinister turn when Mike is targeted by a radical cult leader, portrayed by Taylor-Joy, who believes sacrificing him could help save the world.
Mike Tyler finds himself at the centre of a crisis when the glamorous gala is disrupted by the cult leader and her followers. With the guests suddenly caught in an unpredictable situation, the movie shifts from red-carpet glamour to a desperate struggle for survival.
Taylor-Joy plays the woman behind the bizarre plan, bringing her character into direct conflict with Chris Evans' movie star. Salma Hayek is also part of the central cast, while Vincent Cassel, John Malkovich, Sam Richardson, Ambika Mod, Charli XCX, Yung Lean, Jade Croot and Miriam Silverman feature in supporting roles.
Rather than treating its premise as a conventional action thriller, Sacrifice combines danger with an irreverent sense of humour. Its story also plays with the contrast between public image and private conviction, placing a group of wealthy and famous guests in circumstances they cannot control.
For Gavras, known for films including Athena as well as his work directing music videos, Sacrifice marks his English-language feature debut. The filmmaker brings his visually distinctive style to a story that moves between extravagant settings, violent confrontations and absurd situations.
Describing his approach to the film, Gavras said, "Cinema, for me, is the attempt to wrestle meaning from a world I don't understand, a world that's absurd, beautiful, petty, violent, and full of grace, often all in the same frame." He added that the film is intended to capture a sense of chaos and uncertainty, describing it as an invitation to "stop dancing and jump."
With Evans, Taylor-Joy and Hayek leading its ensemble, Sacrifice promises a blend of action, dark comedy and satire when it arrives on Lionsgate Play in India on October 16.
