The Sacrifice
As global catastrophe descends on a seaside birthday gathering, a disillusioned philosopher stakes his entire existence on a desperate act of faith.
Overview
A father's desperate plea for peace in a world on the brink of destruction.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Glacial
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- contemplative
- dread-filled
- quiet evening
- reflective viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praise the film as formally impressive, visually accomplished, and narratively rewarding, while recognizing its deliberately ambiguous religious symbolism.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The narrative juxtaposes Christian prayer and sacrifice with pagan ritual and ambiguous supernatural possibility.
The outbreak of world war III turns Alexander's anxiety about modern spiritual emptiness into an urgent vow of sacrifice.
Tarkovsky's extended takes and deliberate compositions make domestic spaces, landscapes, and catastrophe feel contemplative rather than merely plot-driven.
Alexander's concern for his little son motivates his plea to God and anchors the film's meditation on responsibility.
Films like The Sacrifice, and why
Andrei Rublev
spiritual crisis, metaphysical symbolism, and contemplative art-house drama
The Turin Horse
apocalyptic anxiety, religious questioning, and formally rigorous slow cinema
Winter Light
philosophical dialogue, existential dread, and austere visual composition
The Seventh Seal
ambiguous spirituality, family tension, and meditative end-of-the-world atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Andrei Tarkovsky
- Release Date
- 1986-05-09
- Runtime
- 149 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (638)
Cast
- Erland Josephson
- Susan Fleetwood
- Allan Edwall
- Guðrún Gísladóttir
- Sven Wollter
- Valérie Mairesse
- Filippa Franzén
- Tommy Kjellqvist
- Per Källman
- Tommy Nordahl
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Klassiki, Kino Film Collection
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Sacrifice about?
- As global catastrophe descends on a seaside birthday gathering, a disillusioned philosopher stakes his entire existence on a desperate act of faith.
- What is The Sacrifice like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Sacrifice as glacial, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is The Sacrifice violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Sacrifice.
- What did critics think of The Sacrifice?
- Critics broadly praise the film as formally impressive, visually accomplished, and narratively rewarding, while recognizing its deliberately ambiguous religious symbolism.
- Which films are like The Sacrifice?
- Films with a similar feel include Andrei Rublev, The Turin Horse, Winter Light, and The Seventh Seal.
- How long is The Sacrifice?
- The Sacrifice runs 149 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Sacrifice?
- In United States, The Sacrifice streams on Klassiki, Kino Film Collection.
