Film Alert: 'Sanctuary'- Review
Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley Lead a Spicy (and Erotic) Chess Match
After the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise was finalized in 2018, many filmmakers decided to make more films that covered BDSM (a topic I have been highly interested in for the past couple of years) because of the poor depiction caused by those features. Of course, they aren’t as awful as some people might say. But, their primary narrative gadget was unbelievable — the characters being put on a campy spotlight where everybody chuckles their heart out. One of the films that have been raised from Mr. Grey’s cinematic failures is Zachary Wigon’s latest work, Sanctuary — the title perfectly captures the essence of the topics displayed and its surroundings: the character’s safe word and a space for sexual expression, connection, and lust.
Although I still prefer some of the other releases from the past couple of years that explore the complex relationships between dominant and submissive partners (The Duke of Burgundy, Dog’s Don’t Wear Pants, Nymphomaniac Vol. 2), Sanctuary is still a spicy psychological chess match that excels by the dashes of vulnerability added onto the script by screenwriter Micah Bloomberg and (primarily) the fiery pairing of two stars in the making, Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley. It may not depict how these BDSM sessions roll out to a tee due to the movie’s plot contrivances and cinematic exaggerations. Yet, Zachary Wigon crafted an amusing feature that helps people get a grasp on how dominant-submissive relationships work.
Here’s an excerpt from my review:
In the mainstream side of cinematic experiences, BDSM has been explored poorly, often presented as an indication of broken psyches and aberrant behaviors, and looked over as inappropriate or utterly destructive to the person partaking in such erotic practices. It is unfair that filmmakers have done poor research when depicting it on-screen. For example, the Fifty Shades of Grey series of films delivered mixed messages about what BDSM does to human relationships. However, its failure to present those mechanisms properly motivated the public to learn more about it, as people always have had a penchant for adventurous sex. Since then, we have seen more projects bathed in scorching erotic intensity. One of them is the latest film by American director and former movie critic Zachary Wigon, Sanctuary.
The title perfectly captures the essence of the topics depicted and its setting: the onscreen pairing of Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott’s safe word and a space for sexual expression, connection, and lust. The film opens with Ariel Marx’s score casting a spell all over it, guiding the audience through a colorful haze to a place where closeness meets foreboding, intimacy holding hands with sorrow. Although those early sensations may provide a quick glance at Sanctuary’s latter moments, they pave the way for its romantic and erotic tones.
Immediately after, we are greeted by the two leading players in this single-location picture. In a suite, the heir to the Porterfield Hotel empire, Hal Porterfield (played by independent cinema darling Christopher Abbott), awaits a visit from a “friendly” guest who has come to play. Someone knocks at the door; he’s anxious to answer the door for several reasons. Who’s at the other end? His long-time dominatrix, Rebecca (star-in-the-making Margaret Qualley), who’s rocking a luscious blonde bob-cut wig. Unlike what you might expect, Rebecca isn’t into laying down the whips, chains, or leather. Instead, she likes her work to be even more brutal: she verbally berates her clients while delivering a glance that tears them down completely. What Rebecca provides is mental, not allowing physical touch in any of her sessions because that restraint turns her (and the client) on.
Read my full review for Loud & Clear Reviews HERE.
Sanctuary hits theaters across the U.S. on May 19th, 2023.