FOR THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO SEE SANCTUARY, THIS IS A NON-SPOILER REVIEW.

Lost in the Reel’s video review for Sanctuary

Going into director Zachary Wigon’s second directorial feature, I knew absolutely nothing about the plot, and only that it starred Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley… who I believe are two of the most exciting up-and-coming young performers working today.  

WHAT IS SANCTUARY ALL ABOUT?

Sanctuary stars Christopher Abbott as Hal, the heir of a multi-million dollar hotel empire who is taking over his late father as CEO.  Enter Margaret Qualley’s Rebecca, his dominatrix who spends her sessions reading Hal’s self-deprecating scripts to get him off.  But, things take a twisted turn when Hal decides that this will be their last session together; setting off a string of events that will prove who is actually in control.

CHRISTOPHER ABBOTT + MARGARET QUALLEY = PERFECTION

Abbott, whose puppy-dog-like features got him started in a supporting role in HBO’s Girls, has shown that he is an expert in choosing exciting indie projects.  From On The Count of Three, Possessor, Black Bear, and Vox Lux to one of my favorite movies of the past decade, James White… every film that the star shows up in, is a project worth discovering.  And then there’s the daughter of Andie MacDowell, Margaret Qualley who burst out on the scene in The Leftovers and Once Upon A Time in Hollywood… but, left a huge lasting impact on me in her performance in Netflix’s Maid.  

So, here we have Sanctuary… a movie that quite literally is filmed in one location for 99% of the movie, and it stars only these two actors.  Nobody else.  And luckily, these two have such goosebump-inducing chemistry that they propel this small indie film into greatness.  They both exude, at different points in this movie, vulnerability, and weakness, and in others, wickedness, and unpredictability. The power plays going on between the two of them, create some of the most enticing sparring of dialogue you’ll see in cinema all year.

HOW IS THE SCREENPLAY?

It also helps that the screenplay by Micah Bloomberg is extraordinary in so many ways.  He is able to push and pull the audience in so many directions, without making you feel like you’re getting whiplash.  His script explores gender dynamics, the powers of control, the art of letting go, and the intense nature of humans to discover their purpose and identity.  It is such a layered and heavy piece of work, yet it also revels in dark humor and shocking twists and turns… so, that it also feels devilishly fun to watch unfold.  

IT TAKES PLACE IN JUST ONE ROOM?

Though I absolutely love a good chamber piece, we were so inundated with them during the constraints of the pandemic… that I found myself tiring of the format.  But, director Wigon and his cinematographer Ludovica Isidori, are able to bring this hotel suite, and their film, to life with the camera.  Every shot feels full of intent, as it lingers, pans, and zooms to create an intoxicating, yet claustrophobic environment.  You feel at once like you want to look away in unnerved disgust, but also like you are hanging on every word these characters utter, that you must endure the discomfort.  

THE ENDING IS GOING TO BE DIVISIVE…

The ending of Sanctuary is certainly going to be divisive.  It’s a finale that does feel earned, but also a tad bit cutesy, for such a nasty and twisted piece of work.  It’s one that didn’t quite work for me immediately, but the more that I’ve simmered on it, it’s settled well.  One thing is for sure, you will not see any of these narrative reveals coming.

Sanctuary will be in Select Theaters on May 19th, 2023.

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