Chris Evans and Anya Taylor-Joy film sacrifice on volcano in Greece with director Romain Gavras

Chris Evans and Anya Taylor-Joy star in Sacrifice, filmed on active volcanoes in Greece, exploring themes of ego.

Chris Evans and Anya Taylor-Joy spent much of the production of their new film, Sacrifice, on the slopes of an active volcano in Santorini, Greece. The actors, who both star in and executive produced the project, described the shoot as physically demanding yet transformative. “You’re just looking around at the majesty of the world,” Evans told Variety, reflecting on the daily hikes to the filming location.

Directed by Romain Gavras (Athena) and co-written with Succession writer Will Arbery, the action-adventure satire blends spectacle with social commentary. Evans plays Mike, a movie star whose life unravels after his father’s death. Taylor-Joy portrays Joan, a radical cult leader who believes Mike must be sacrificed to prevent a volcanic eruption. The film, produced by Iconoclast, Mid March Media, Film4, and Heretic, explores themes of ego, faith, and transformation.

Taylor-Joy noted that the script resonated with her during a period of climate change anxiety. “This is what you do with big feelings. You go away and you make art about it,” she explained, adding that filming in natural landscapes eased her worries.

Production spanned 10 weeks across Greece and Bulgaria, with scenes shot in caves, caverns, and atop volcanoes. The ensemble cast includes Vincent Cassel as a billionaire host, Salma Hayek Pinault as his wife, Sam Richardson as Mike’s agent, and John Malkovich as Joan’s father. Additional roles feature Jonatan “Yung Lean” Leandoer, plus Charli XCX and Ambika Mod, who appear as performers in a climate change anthem sequence.

Both Evans and Taylor-Joy admitted they barely knew each other prior to filming, having only met at a party. Their connection deepened during production, with Evans describing Taylor-Joy’s character as “an allegorical representation of Mike’s soul.”

Evans views Sacrifice as a story about letting go of identity and ego. “The volcano represents transformation, surrender, peace,” he said. Taylor-Joy echoed that the experience changed her perspective, while Evans concluded: “Sometimes you make movies that really speak to your soul — and this was one of them.”