Chris Evans has rolled into town with a beard so mighty, it could double as a blanket in the winter and might just be powerful enough to summon wild birds. Fans are already speculating that this bold choice in facial hair is an epic step forward in beard history – but, alas, it’s not just a whimsical nod to life as a hermit in the woods. Chris revealed the mysterious reason behind it at the Red One premiere in NYC, where his beard actually had to be mic’d separately just so everyone could hear him over its magnificent volume.
Apparently, this beard is strictly business. “It’s for a job,” Chris told Entertainment Tonight with the solemnity of a man committed to his craft. Not for a Paul Bunyan reboot, sadly, but for a project called Sacrifice. The actor shared, “It’s a film with Anya Taylor-Joy and John Malkovich.” Let’s pause for a moment to imagine this cast in the wild plot twist to come.
So, what’s Sacrifice about, you ask? If you guessed “a normal guy stuck in bizarre situations” you’d be sort of right…kind of. Inspired by the story of Joan of Arc, it follows Joan (played by Taylor-Joy), who isn’t just hearing voices; she’s got an entire cosmic prophecy talking to her 24/7. Clearly, Joan’s answer to this is “let’s go big,” because she gathers a mystical band of followers and crashes a high-society charity gala. You know, as one does when trying to save the world.
And who gets wrapped up in this whirlwind of holy fire and existential questions? Why, Chris Evans, of course! Chris plays Mike Tyler, a slightly washed-up movie star who’s on a last-ditch search for redemption, a journey that’s led him to grow what can only be called a “beard of wisdom.” Alongside him are Bracken (Vincent Cassel), the richest guy on the planet, who probably thought he’d be safe at a fancy gala, and Katie (Ambika Mod), who might as well be the most unlucky person on Earth just for being there that night. Together, they’re led through a series of absurd trials and maybe even existential crises, where Mike has to ask himself: “Would I really sacrifice anything for humanity, or am I just here for the catering?”
With Brendan Fraser, Salma Hayek, Charli XCX, and Vincent Cassel joining the epic chaos, Sacrifice promises everything from beard-envy to actual soul-searching.