Derren Brown: Sacrifice (2018) on Netflix
Phil, an American who sees illegal immigrants as a threat to his country, is recruited for a medical experiment in the UK. He is told it will build bravery and empathy.
- Netflix3.6/5
- IMDb7.1/102,087 votes
- Rotten TomatoesNot available
Trailer
Plot summary
Phil is chosen for the special because of his strong opinions about illegal immigrants, whom he considers a threat to America. He believes he has joined a medical study in the UK that an illusionist helped devise. A chip is placed in his neck, and he is required to use a meditation app named Turbine every day; it urges him to be decisive, and its distinctive tone is meant to work as a trigger. After a stretch of daily use, the illusionist meets him and uses psychological techniques to numb Phil's left hand. At his direction, Phil drives a needle through the back of that hand.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Derren Brown: Sacrifice (2018)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Derren Brown's Sacrifice was the first of his specials produced solely for the streaming platform Netflix; his earlier specials aired on the UK's Channel 4, and Miracle and Pushed to the Edge were broadcast on both Channel 4 and Netflix.
- After filming, Derren Brown introduced participant Phil to Steven and Chris, the subjects of his specials Apocalypse and Pushed to the Edge, so Phil would have a network of people who had shared a similar experience. Brown said the experience was "transformative" for Phil, with whom he kept in contact, as after care was important.
