Sanctuary (2023) | REVIEW

Directed by Zachary Wigon — Screenplay by Micah Bloomberg.

Sanctuary is a dark comedy and psychosexual thriller from film critic-turned-director Zachary Wigon. Released in 2023, following an initial premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, the film follows Hal (played by Christopher Abbott), the insecure presumptive heir to his late father’s wealthy company, as well as Rebecca (played by Margaret Qualley), who Hal has hired to be his dominatrix. During one of their sessions, Hal intimates his decision to end their mutually beneficial relationship, as he is now supposed to take on bigger responsibilities as the figurehead of a major company. She is clearly offended by the development and is considering leaving. However, instead, she desires to launch into a go-for-broke attempt at blackmail.

Sanctuary is written by Micah Bloomberg, who sets this film almost entirely inside of a fancy hotel room (and when it moves out of it, we only see the nearby hallway or the hotel elevator), which is visually quite arresting with solid production design details and colors and patterns that really pop and catch your eye. Bloomberg’s script is sharply written with memorable dialogue that really helps to push the characters in fun directions.  I don’t necessarily mean this as a criticism, but I think it is fair to say that, throughout this film, it feels like a stage play that has been cinematically inflated and turned into something quite effective. Some might argue that the stage play feel may be a drawback to the experience, but I think that Wigon and cinematographer Ludovica Isidori use the camera to tell the narrative in inventive ways, as the precise camera movements, camera tilts, perspective shifts, and gradual shifts from right side up to upside down (and vice-versa) help to illustrate how their tete-a-tete chess match for control and domination impacts the characters’ psyche or emphasizes their influence. It’s energetic and inventive filmmaking.

In addition to being visually inventive despite its single-location setting, it’s also just a, to me, wildly entertaining film that constantly shifts between dark comedy and thriller elements, while, at the same time, feeling like a psychosexual blend of Inception, Succession, and a modern rom-com. It’s funny, oddly sweet in moments, freaky, occasionally sexy, and absolutely thrilling — the runtime flew by, for me. The writing successfully communicates its therapy through role-play emphasis. It also happens to be the perfect vehicle for eager and capable actors like Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott to show what they can do, and, if they aren’t already some of your favorite rising actors, then this film makes for a phenomenal showcase for their talents. Both Qualley and Abbott are intense in this, and both of them get to perform emotional extremes. Abbott does such a good job of selling the idea that his character has an insecurity that he is trying to put up walls around — you feel his nervousness and his panic. Abbott makes the vulnerable moments fully believable. Meanwhile, Margaret Qualley gets to play the more forward character, and she really delivers with energy, confidence, and a playfulness that is overpowering in the best way possible. For me, with all of these ingredients, Zachary Wigon’s Sanctuary has all the makings of a future indie darling cult film — it certainly wowed me.

9 out of 10

– Review Written by Jeffrey Rex Bertelsen.