A Certain Sacrifice

Watch A Certain Sacrifice

"On the dark side of New York when paths cross..."
  • NR
  • 1980
  • 1 hr
  • 2.3  (795)

A Certain Sacrifice is a 1979 independent movie directed by Stephen Jon Lewicki. The movie features a young Madonna in one of her first acting roles. While the movie was not well received by critics, it remains an interesting artifact of the early career of the superstar singer. The movie follows a young man named Jeremy Pattnosh (played by the eponymous actor) as he navigates the dangerous world of New York City in the late 1970s. Jeremy is a male prostitute, and the movie begins with him being picked up by a client who turns out to be an undercover cop. Jeremy is arrested and sent to jail, where he decides to give up his life of prostitution and turn his life around.

Jeremy's transformation is aided by a mysterious woman named Arielle (played by Madonna). Arielle is a strange and enigmatic figure who seems to have a deep knowledge of the occult. She takes Jeremy under her wing and introduces him to her world of strange rituals and ceremonies.

As Jeremy becomes more involved with Arielle and her circle of friends, he begins to learn more about her past and her motivations. It soon becomes clear that Arielle has a dark secret, and that her interest in Jeremy may be more than just a desire to help him start a new life.

The central theme of A Certain Sacrifice is the idea of sacrifice itself. Throughout the movie, characters make great sacrifices in order to achieve their goals. For Jeremy, this means giving up his old life as a prostitute and embracing a new, more fulfilling path. For Arielle and her friends, this means engaging in strange and dangerous rituals that are designed to bring them closer to some greater mystery.

The movie is notable for its gritty, realistic portrayal of New York City in the late 1970s. The city is depicted as dangerous and dirty, with a pervasive sense of decay and despair. This setting provides an effective backdrop for the movie's exploration of themes like sacrifice, transformation, and the occult.

The performances in A Certain Sacrifice are generally solid, with Jeremy Pattnosh giving a particularly convincing portrayal of his troubled character. Madonna's performance is less polished, but still showcases the raw energy and charisma that would later make her a cultural icon.

Despite its flaws, A Certain Sacrifice remains an interesting artifact of early Madonna and a fascinating look at the seedy underbelly of 1970s New York City. It is not a movie for everyone, but for those interested in the occult, the history of Madonna's career, or gritty depictions of urban life, it is worth seeking out.

A Certain Sacrifice
A Certain Sacrifice doesn't appear to be available from any streaming services.
Add this movie to your Watchlist to get notified when it's available.
Description
  • Release Date
    1980
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    2.3  (795)
Watch all of
Do you have Paramount+?
Ad Info
No thanks, I'm not interested in Paramount+