Anya Taylor-Joy's latest thriller, Sacrifice, has taken Netflix by storm, quickly climbing the streaming charts and cementing its status as one of the platform's biggest hits this month. The film, directed by acclaimed music video visionary Romain Gavras, marks his English-language debut and features his most star-studded cast yet.
Gavras, known for his visually striking and often provocative work, brings his signature style to this satirical comedy. The story follows a movie star, played by Chris Evans, who is kidnapped by a radical group convinced that humanity's salvation lies in sacrificing three individuals. Taylor-Joy leads the group with a chilling performance, while the ensemble includes Sam Richardson, Ambika Mod, Vincent Cassel, Salma Hayek, John Malkovich, and pop sensation Charli XCX.
Despite its impressive pedigree, Sacrifice has received divisive reviews, currently holding a 38% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have compared it to other "eat-the-rich" films like Saltburn and The Menu, with Collider's review noting it's "quite a bit of fun, but any attempt to make a larger point falls flat." Still, the star power has proven irresistible to audiences.
According to FlixPatrol, Sacrifice debuted on Netflix's domestic top-10 list and has also secured spots on iTunes in several international territories where it won't receive a theatrical release. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 and is currently available on Netflix in the U.S. and France, with theatrical runs planned for other regions like the UK.
This success comes on the heels of Gavras's previous feature, Athena, a 2022 operatic action thriller that competed for the Golden Lion at Venice. Sacrifice shares thematic DNA with his earlier political satire Digger, which also faced mixed reviews. Yet, the new film's early streaming performance suggests that audiences are more interested in the star-studded spectacle than critical consensus.
For fans of Taylor-Joy and Evans, the excitement doesn't end here. Both actors are set to appear in major blockbusters later this year—Taylor-Joy in Dune: Part Three and Evans in Avengers: Doomsday—which are scheduled for a December clash at the box office. If you're looking for more thrilling content to stream, check out our list of fast-paced Netflix thrillers or explore other top Netflix original comedies.
As Sacrifice continues to dominate the streaming landscape, it's clear that Gavras's bold vision and the magnetic performances of its cast have struck a chord with viewers, even if critics remain divided. Stay tuned for more updates on this and other streaming hits.
