Netflix's new thriller Sacrifice, starring Chris Evans and Anya Taylor-Joy, is rated R, and faith-based reviewers are urging caution.
What it's about: Evans plays movie star Mike Tyler, who is taken hostage at a charity gala by a cult led by Joan (Taylor-Joy). The group believes a volcano demands three ritual sacrifices. The R-rated film streams on Netflix and runs about 1 hour 43 minutes.
What reviewers say: Plugged In, the Focus on the Family review site, gave it a "Heavy" content caution for every age group. Its reviewer found some satire worth thinking about, namely how people respond to fear and crisis. He still said he couldn't praise the content itself. Parent Previews gave it an overall D. Critics are split, with a 38% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Content Christians should know about:
- Violence: a fiery ritual killing, a hand severed with a machete, a throat slashing, crossbow attacks and a lava sacrifice.
- Language: Plugged In counted more than 50 f-words, along with other profanity and three misuses of God's name.
- Sexual content: dancers in thongs, characters in their underwear and crude references.
- Spiritual themes: the cult follows a volcano "prophecy" and talks about the "cleansing power of death." The film also includes irreverent references to Jesus and the Antichrist.
It's not a family movie, and many parents and believers may choose to skip it. Whether to watch is a personal and family decision.
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