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Drama thriller

Sanctuary (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Sanctuary (2023) movie poster

Sanctuary is a 2023 drama thriller directed by Zachary Wigon, starring Margaret Qualley as Rebecca and Christopher Abbott. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $581,423 worldwide. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$581.4K
Echo Score
72
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Sanctuary (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Zachary Wigon
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
Super
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Sanctuary About?

The premise of Sanctuary without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

As night falls on a high-end hotel, Rebecca’s carefully constructed composure begins to unravel during a tense encounter with her client, Hal. Hal, who has inherited his father's business empire, attempts to sever their complex and manipulative relationship. However, Rebecca is determined to maintain her influence, initiating a dangerous and psychologically charged conflict. The struggle escalates into a battle of wits where only one person can emerge victorious.

Sanctuary Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • single location
  • mind game
  • sexual humiliation
  • dominatrix
  • obsessive love
  • role playing
  • sexual role playing
  • chamber drama
  • secret relationship
  • kinky
  • humiliation
  • daddy issues
+38 more
  • love story
  • cleaning a bathroom
  • cleaning behind a toilet
  • sex worker
  • blonde wig
  • masturbation
  • using spit for lube
  • script
  • mother son relationship
  • watch
  • expensive watch
  • fired from a job
  • blackmail
  • waterproof watch
  • dancing
  • reciting the pledge of allegience
  • knife held to the neck
  • threat
  • elevator
  • violation of trust
  • begging
  • psychological torture
  • tied to a bed post
  • safeword
  • rain
  • sleeping on the floor
  • submissive man
  • death of father
  • female domination
  • femdom
  • erection
  • sexual intercourse
  • psychological thriller
  • financial domination
  • mature content
  • mature
  • spit as lubricant
  • bdsm
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Cast & crew

Sanctuary Cast & Characters

Margaret Qualley leads the cast as Rebecca, with Christopher Abbott as Hal. Directed by Zachary Wigon.

From the director

More from Zachary Wigon

More films directed by Zachary Wigon, best-rated first: The Heart Machine and Victorian Psycho.

Full filmography
Ratings

Sanctuary Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Sanctuary 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in character & emotion (84) and weakest in story & flow (65).

72 /100

Sanctuary Echo Score Breakdown

Sanctuary delivers a stylish but uneven experience, with its strongest assets lying in the performances and visual flair. Critics and viewers note the film's inventive cinematography and the magnetic chemistry between Qualley and Abbott, yet many find the dialogue‑driven plot meandering and the conclusion unsatisfying. The sensory design and direction receive frequent praise, while the narrative structure divides opinion. Overall, the movie offers a compelling character duel that is occasionally hampered by pacing and thematic focus.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of art and craft, the film is lauded for its inventive cinematography and polished visual style. Reviews highlight the director's ability to sustain tension within a single setting and commend the production design as sleek and cohesive. Some critics, however, describe the stylistic choices as hollow when the narrative falters. The consensus suggests solid technical execution that is occasionally undercut by narrative shortcomings.

  • Character & Emotion 84

    When it comes to character and emotion, the leads are consistently praised for nuanced, energetic performances. Observers comment on their ability to convey complex feelings through subtle gestures, creating a believable cat‑and‑mouse dynamic. A few reviewers note moments of boredom or lack of depth, but overall the acting is regarded as the film's most compelling element, delivering emotional resonance that anchors the story.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and flow, opinions are mixed. The script is described as sharp and layered by some, offering twists that keep the audience engaged. Others criticize the pacing, labeling the film a chore with plot flaws that emerge early. The ending is frequently called forced or ambiguous, reducing overall narrative cohesion. This division places the story in a moderately positive but uneven position.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    In the sensory domain, the film’s visual palette and sound design receive commendation for their sleek, seductive quality. Critics note the effective use of lighting and composition to heighten tension. A minority of viewers find the musical choices overly conspicuous, and occasional scene breaks are cited as distracting. The overall sensory experience is strong, though not uniformly flawless.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch factor is assessed as fairly high, with several viewers expressing a desire to revisit the film for its performances and clever dialogue. The engaging interplay between the protagonists invites repeat viewings, though some criticize the ending's impact, which may diminish lasting appeal. On balance, the film holds sufficient intrigue to merit additional screenings.

Plot

Sanctuary Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Sanctuary from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a luxury hotel suite, Hal Porterfield orders room service as a striking guest, Rebecca Marin, arrives under the guise of interviewing for the CEO position of the hotel chain. What begins as a formal visit quickly shifts into a charged power game, with Rebecca posing as a composed interviewer while secretly acting out a scripted dominatrix role that Hal himself has prepared. The encounter escalates into a private, intimate scene: Rebecca asserts control, Hal is forced to clean the bathroom in his underwear, and, after a tense moment, she grants him permission to climax. The atmosphere is clinical at first, but layers of desire, control, and performance seep into every gesture.

Full summary

The whole story of Sanctuary, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Sanctuary Box Office

Sanctuary grossed $581,423 worldwide. $535,201 came from the US and Canada and $46,222 (8%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$581.4K

US & Canada
$535.2K
International
$46.2K
US & Canada 92% Rest of the world 8%
Videos

Sanctuary Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Sanctuary.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Sanctuary?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the male lead who is about to become CEO?

Details

Sanctuary Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Šventovė” and “El templo”.

Also known as
  • Šventovė
  • El templo
  • 생츄어리
  • 피난처
  • Soumission
  • Стоп-слово
  • Sanctuary - Lui fa il gioco. Lei fa le regole.
  • 圣所
  • Укриття
  • Santuario
  • Menedék
  • Santuário
+9 more
  • 聖地
  • Sanctuaire
  • Zavetišče
  • Sığınak
  • חדר שליטה
  • ที่หลบภัย
  • Svetište
  • Chốn Bình Yên
  • Refugiul

Seen Sanctuary?

FAQ

Sanctuary FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Sanctuary, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Sanctuary?

Sanctuary runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Sanctuary released?

Sanctuary was released on May 19, 2023.

Who directed Sanctuary?

Sanctuary was directed by Zachary Wigon.

More films by Zachary Wigon

Who is in the cast of Sanctuary?

Sanctuary stars Margaret Qualley as Rebecca and Christopher Abbott as Hal.

How much did Sanctuary make at the box office?

Sanctuary grossed $581,423 worldwide ($535,201 domestic, $46,222 international).

How is Sanctuary rated?

Sanctuary has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

Does Sanctuary have a post-credit scene?

No. Sanctuary has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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