A Sacrifice

A Sacrifice

Year: 2024

Runtime: 1 h 34 m

Language: english

Director: Jordan Scott

Echo Score: 38
DramaMysteryThriller

Driven social psychologist Ben Monroe investigates a cult linked to unsettling events in Berlin. Simultaneously, his daughter Mazzy becomes involved with the city’s underground rave scene, encountering mysterious individuals. Their separate journeys lead them on a collision course as they uncover a complex and dangerous world.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A Sacrifice (2024)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Sacrifice (2024). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Post-2020

The story occurs in a contemporary timeframe, indicated by modern environments, technology, and social issues. The setting reflects current societal concerns about cults, mental health, and social isolation, aligning with today's cultural context and highlighting ongoing struggles with community and influence.

Location

Berlin, Germany, suburban house, lakeside

The movie takes place primarily in Berlin, a vibrant European capital known for its history, culture, and modernity. Suburban areas serve as the setting for the cult mass suicide scene, reflecting a stark contrast between city life and secluded environments. The lakeside setting plays a crucial role as the site of the final tragedy and survivor rescue, emphasizing nature's quiet yet ominous presence.

🌆 Urban 🏡 Suburban 🌊 Lakeside

Last Updated: July 28, 2025 at 06:17

Main Characters – A Sacrifice (2024)

Meet the key characters of A Sacrifice (2024), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mazzy (Sadie Sink)

Mazzy is a curious yet vulnerable teenager seeking stability amidst her parents' separation. Her exploration of group dynamics and her emotional reactions highlight her longing for connection and her struggle to distinguish influence from genuine support. Her journey underscores her resilience and desire for safety.

🌸 Teen 💔 Vulnerable 🔍 Curious

Ben Monroe (Eric Bana)

Ben is an American social psychologist obsessed with understanding cult behavior and community influence. His dedication to his research and his protective instincts drive him to rescue his daughter from the cult's clutches. He is conflicted between scientific objectivity and parental love.

📚 Researcher 🧠 Analytical 😔 Protective

Nina (Sylvia Hoeks)

Nina is a forensic detective deeply involved with the cult, hiding her own indoctrination and loyalty. Her dual role as investigator and cult member creates internal conflict, exemplifying themes of betrayal and manipulation. Her actions reveal the tragic influence of the cult on her identity.

🕵️‍♀️ Detective 🖤 Loyal 🔄 Dual role

Martin (Jonas Dassler)

Martin is a young man deeply connected to his grandmother and environmental activism. His involvement with the cult begins from a place of grief and search for purpose, but he becomes tragically entangled in its destructive rituals. His character highlights vulnerability and the dangerous allure of belonging.

🌍 Activist 😢 Grief-stricken 🚶‍♂️ Vulnerable

Hilma (Sophie Rois)

Hilma is the charismatic yet manipulative leader of the cult, convincing followers to commit mass suicide as an act of devotion. Her authority and unwavering faith showcase the destructive power of fanaticism. She symbolizes ideological extremism disguised as spiritual salvation.

🌿 Leader 🔥 Fanatic 🧙‍♀️ Charismatic

Last Updated: July 28, 2025 at 06:17

Major Themes – A Sacrifice (2024)

Explore the central themes of A Sacrifice (2024), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌀 Manipulation

The movie explores how cult leaders manipulate vulnerable individuals through psychological control, promises of belonging, and ideological indoctrination. Characters like Mazzy and Martin are influenced differently by those in power, illustrating the profound impact of manipulation on personal morals and decisions.

🔥 Sacrifice

A central theme is the idea of sacrifice, both voluntary and coerced. The cult members willingly participate in mass suicide ritualized as a collective act of devotion, while others like Mazzy struggle with personal sacrifices, such as cutting ties with their families or risking their lives to escape influence.

🌿 Belonging

The narrative emphasizes the human need for community and acceptance, which cults exploit. Mazzy’s search for connection and understanding pulls her into the group, revealing how desperate individuals can be drawn into harmful environments in the pursuit of belonging.

Last Updated: July 28, 2025 at 06:17

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Slow burn thrillers about sinister worlds like A Sacrifice

Methodical thrillers where normal lives are gradually consumed by hidden darkness.If you liked the methodical build of tension and the uncovering of a dark underworld in A Sacrifice, this thread features movies with similar pacing and atmosphere. Discover other psychological thrillers and mysteries where characters are gradually drawn into dangerous, hidden societies.

suspensefulatmosphericsinisteruneasyparanoidpsychologicalslow burnanxious

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often follow a linear but steady progression, where an initial investigation or curiosity leads a protagonist deeper into a disturbing reality. The focus is on the process of discovery, the erosion of certainty, and the psychological impact of confronting a manipulative and sinister force.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared use of steady pacing to build dread, their dark and atmospheric tone, and their focus on characters being psychologically tested by a hidden, threatening world. They prioritize suspense and unease over action-packed thrills.

Movies with bittersweet rescues like the ending of A Sacrifice

Stories where a personal victory is overshadowed by a larger, devastating loss.For viewers who appreciated the emotionally complex ending of A Sacrifice, this thread collects films where a personal salvation is bittersweet. Explore similar dramas and thrillers where a character's victory is tempered by surrounding tragedy and heavy emotional consequences.

bittersweetsombermelancholictragicheavyemotionalheartbreakinghopeful

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a high-stakes, personal mission (like rescuing a family member) that runs parallel to a larger, uncontrollable catastrophe. The climax juxtaposes the success of the personal quest with the devastating failure to prevent the wider tragedy, leaving characters and viewers with a mix of conflicting emotions.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their emotionally heavy weight and specifically bittersweet endings. They explore the theme that even in success, there can be profound loss, creating a nuanced and memorable viewing experience that resonates beyond a simple happy or sad conclusion.

Unlock the Full Story of A Sacrifice

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Sacrifice in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Sacrifice is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Sacrifice Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Sacrifice, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Sacrifice Summary

A Sacrifice Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Sacrifice with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Sacrifice Timeline

A Sacrifice Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of A Sacrifice? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

A Sacrifice Ending Explained

A Sacrifice Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of A Sacrifice that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

A Sacrifice Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Sacrifice

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Sacrifice: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About A Sacrifice