Sanctuary (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Zachary Wigon
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Super
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
Sanctuary Cast & Characters
Margaret Qualley leads the cast as Rebecca, with Christopher Abbott as Hal. Directed by Zachary Wigon.
- Director Zachary Wigon
-
Margaret Qualley as Rebecca -
Christopher Abbott as Hal
More from Zachary Wigon
More films directed by Zachary Wigon, best-rated first: The Heart Machine and Victorian Psycho.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 88% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 82%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
User score 6.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 78% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
100480 ratings
See on Letterboxd
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$581.4K
- US & Canada
- $535.2K
- International
- $46.2K
Sanctuary Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Sanctuary.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the male lead who is about to become CEO?
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 Show fewer
- 聖地
- Sanctuaire
- Zavetišče
- Sığınak
- חדר שליטה
- ที่หลบภัย
- Svetište
- Chốn Bình Yên
- Refugiul
Seen Sanctuary?
Movies Like Sanctuary
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Sanctuary, Paradise Cove and Seclusion.
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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