The Sacrifice

Year: 1986

Runtime: 149 mins

Language: Swedish

Director: Andrei Tarkovsky

Drama

In Tarkovsky’s final film, Alexander – a journalist, philosopher and retired actor – gathers friends and family to celebrate his birthday in a secluded house. Their reunion is shattered when a radio announcement declares that nuclear war has begun, forcing Alexander to confront mortality, faith and the meaning of sacrifice amid looming catastrophe.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Sacrifice (1986)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Sacrifice (1986). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:45

Main Characters – The Sacrifice (1986)

Meet the key characters of The Sacrifice (1986), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:45

Major Themes – The Sacrifice (1986)

Explore the central themes of The Sacrifice (1986), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:45

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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.

Meditative apocalyptic dramas like The Sacrifice

Slow-moving philosophical journeys into the heart of impending catastrophe.For viewers seeking movies like The Sacrifice, this list features films that share a slow, philosophical approach to apocalyptic themes. These stories prioritize existential inquiry and existential dread over action, creating a heavy, contemplative experience of looming global catastrophe.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often begin with a mundane situation shattered by an announcement of world-ending events. The plot then slows to a crawl, focusing on characters' philosophical debates, desperate searches for meaning, and symbolic acts of sacrifice, rather than survival action.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared combination of high existential stakes, deliberately slow pacing, and a melancholic, meditative tone. They create a unique viewing experience defined by heavy emotional weight and a focus on metaphysical questions in the face of doom.

Movies about desperate sacrifice like The Sacrifice

Characters pushed to the brink make desperate pacts in a fractured reality.If you liked The Sacrifice's theme of a drastic, faith-based bargain, explore these films about characters making extreme sacrifices. These movies often feature ambiguous endings and explore the thin boundary between profound revelation and complete madness.

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Narrative Summary

A rational individual is confronted with a situation that defies logical solution, leading them to a desperate, seemingly insane act—a promise, a ritual, or a destruction—driven by a flicker of faith or a last hope. The narrative questions whether this act is one of salvation or madness, often leaving the answer unresolved.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core narrative pattern of a protagonist's radical, faith-driven sacrifice in response to existential terror. They are united by a complex, ambiguous structure, a heavy emotional tone, and a deep exploration of themes like religion, madness, and the limits of human reason.

Unlock the Full Story of The Sacrifice

Don't stop at just watching — explore The 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 The Sacrifice is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Sacrifice Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The 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.

The Sacrifice Timeline

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

The Sacrifice Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About The Sacrifice

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The 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.

Similar Movies to The Sacrifice

Discover movies like The Sacrifice that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.