Anya Taylor-Joy is having a monumental 2026. After headlining the year's first billion-dollar blockbuster, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and starring in the hit Apple TV+ series Lucky, she's now set to return to Netflix with a brand-new thriller that promises to be unlike anything she's done before.
That project is Sacrifice, a cult thriller co-starring Chris Evans, and it's officially hitting the streaming giant on October 16. This marks Taylor-Joy's first Netflix-exclusive project since her breakout role in The Queen's Gambit, which earned her an Emmy nomination and won 11 awards in 2021.
What Is 'Sacrifice' About?
Directed by Romain Gavras, with a script co-written by Will Arbery, Sacrifice follows Joan (Taylor-Joy) and her siblings after the fiery death of their mother. Driven by a mysterious volcanic prophecy, they believe it's their duty to cleanse the Earth. Their radical group hijacks a glamorous charity gala, taking three hostages for a sacrificial ritual: their hero, movie star Mike Tyler (Chris Evans); their villain, billionaire Ben Bracken (Vincent Cassel); and their lover, performer Katie (Ambika Mod).
As the night spirals into chaos, the line between performance and belief, salvation and sacrifice, begins to blur. The film also stars Salma Hayek-Pinault and John Malkovich, adding to an already impressive ensemble.
Why This Is a Big Deal for Taylor-Joy
While Taylor-Joy has had other films stream on Netflix in recent years, Sacrifice is the first project since The Queen's Gambit that will only be available on Netflix upon its global premiere. That's a significant move, signaling the streamer's confidence in the film and its star.
Taylor-Joy's career has been on an incredible trajectory. In addition to her box office success, she's also set to return to the sands of Arrakis in Dune: Part Three, which is expected to be one of the highest-grossing films of the year, even with its release on the same day as Avengers: Doomsday.
Early Reception and What to Expect
Critics have had mixed reactions so far, with Sacrifice currently holding a 37% score on Rotten Tomatoes. But that hasn't dampened anticipation. The film's unique premise, combined with Taylor-Joy and Evans' star power, makes it one of the most talked-about releases of the fall.
If you're a fan of Taylor-Joy's work, or just love a good cult thriller, Sacrifice is definitely worth checking out when it lands on Netflix on October 16. And while you wait, you can catch up on some of the other exciting titles coming to the platform, like Jessica Chastain's 'Heartland' or the Lizzie Borden story.
Stay tuned for more updates on Taylor-Joy's upcoming projects, including her highly anticipated return to the Dune universe.
