Sanctuary (2023)
78%RT Audience Score: 62%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Sanctuary is a film that defies categorization, blending elements of romantic comedy, psychosexual thriller, and class warfare drama into a deliciously twisted and unpredictable whole. Director Zachary Wigon plays with audience expectations, revealing the true dynamic between the two leads in a way that is both surprising and satisfying. Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott give standout performances, their chemistry fluctuating between desire, desperation, and despisal with ease. The film’s message about the shifting power dynamics between men and women is engaging and thought-provoking, and the witty dialogue and energetic pacing make for a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience. Overall, Sanctuary is a smart, sexy, and subversive film that is not to be missed.
Sanctuary is the perfect movie for those who want a little bit of everything – romance, comedy, and a twisty thriller all rolled into one. The chemistry between Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott is electric, and the film keeps you guessing until the very end. Plus, who doesn’t love a movie that explores power dynamics and the blurred lines between desire and desperation? It’s a wild ride that you won’t want to miss.
Production Company(ies)
Mosaic, Psychological
Distributor
NEON
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
SHOOT LOCATION(S):
New York, United States
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2023
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 36m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Mystery & thriller/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Margaret Qualley, Christopher Abbott, directed by Zachary Wigon, written by Micah Bloomberg, mystery, thriller, drama, R rating, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Jeannette Catsoulis, Greg Nussen, Hannah Strong, Nick Schager, Amy Nicholson, David Ehrlich, Mark Jackson, Josh Bell, Travis Hopson, Zoë Rose Bryant, Danielle Solzman, produced by Pavel Burian, David Lancaster, Ilya Stewart, Stephanie Wilcox, NEON, Hype Studios, Mosaic Films, Rumble Films (II), Charades, dominatrix, hotel room, inheritance, relationship, disaster, sexual content, language.
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,500,000
Production budget ranking: 1,767
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,038,750
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Christopher Abbott – Hal
Zachary Wigon – Director
Micah Bloomberg – Screenwriter
Pavel Burian – Producer
David Lancaster – Producer
Director(s)
NA
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (41) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (1)
A jet-black romantic comedy hidden inside a twisty psychosexual thriller. Or maybe it’s the other way around.
May 18, 2023
Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
This is a theatrical story told in a purposefully and self-consciously theatrical manner.
May 13, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Greg Nussen
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Despite the imperfections within Bloomberg’s screenplay, Abbott and Qualley sell the hell out of it – they possess an easy chemistry that fluctuates between desire, desperation and despisal.
March 7, 2023
Hannah Strong
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
There’s no way to get a total read on what Qualley’s protagonist is up to, which turns out to be the primary thrill of this snapshot of personal, professional, and class warfare.
September 16, 2022
Nick Schager
The Daily Beast
TOP CRITIC
The film has the confidence and generosity to allow the audience to ask its own questions before it makes its first (of many) giddily upending reveals.
September 16, 2022 | Rating: A-
Amy Nicholson
Variety
TOP CRITIC
What makes Sanctuary such a salaciously enjoyable slice of snack-sized fun is how it argues that some people have more to give than they would ever know without the right person to take it from them.
September 14, 2022 | Rating: B
David Ehrlich
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
The message–that women have usurped so many traditionally male roles–while not a groundbreaking concept in and of itself, has a particular logic here that’s engaging.
May 19, 2023
Mark Jackson
Epoch Times
Director Zachary Wigon plays with audience assumptions as he reveals the true dynamic between Hal and Rebecca, and Sanctuary continues to brilliantly defy expectations for its entire runtime.
May 18, 2023
Josh Bell
CBR
There are plenty of comfortable rom-coms out there, but Sanctuary is a surprisingly beguiling and witty romance for those who like their love stories to need a safe word.
May 18, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/5
Travis Hopson
Punch Drunk Critics
The summer movie season is synonymous with bombastic blockbusters, but “Sanctuary” shows that there are just as many fireworks that can arise from the unfiltered expression of our unruly human feelings
May 18, 2023 | Rating: 9/10
Zoë Rose Bryant
Next Best Picture
Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott never lose our attention as the duo are acting their hearts out in Sanctuary.
May 18, 2023 | Rating: 4.5/5
Danielle Solzman
Solzy at the Movies
With energetic insight and humor, Sanctuary scrapes and scrapes at these characters and the power dynamics between them.
May 18, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Mark Dujsik
Mark Reviews Movies…
Plot
Sanctuary follows the story of a dominatrix and her wealthy client, who tries to end their relationship but faces disastrous consequences when his attempt backfires.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t say anything goofy or funny or odd about the film Sanctuary.
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