Director: Zachary Wigon
Starring: Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott
‘A Captivating Romantic Thriller’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have built a legacy as powerful as Margaret Qualley. Since her rise to stardom in the 2000’s, Qualley has become a stronf icon. Whether it’s substance users, hippie girls committing murders or bold hookers, Qualley has portrayed many powerful characters. Arguably, Qualley’s strength as an actress has always been her bravery. She is a courageous actress that has never been afraid taking risks in her career by playing characters that aren’t often likeable. Through willingness to take risks in her career, Qualley has become a beloved actress that audiences value. By her strong commitment towards craft, Qualley has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. An actress with an impressive ability to transform into countless characters successfully, Qualley has built a lasting legacy. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actress has become an iconic figure in the business. Throughout an enduring career, Qualley has made many movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a big fan of Qualley and adore all the films which she has made in her career. However, “Sanctuary” is my favourite. Released in 2022, Zachary Wigon’s movie offered a bold portrait of prostitutes. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about lives of prostitutes. At the centre of it all is a strong performance by Margaret Qualley, who plays a dominatrix engaging in sexual acts causing a tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “Sanctuary” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about prostitutes, it discusses themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about social acceptance which will resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing drama about prostitution, there are several reasons why “Sactuary” is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.
Set in a claustrophobic hotel, “Sactuary” tells a story of a sexual dominatrix that becomes a victim of catastrophe. Margaret Qualley plays Rebecca Marin, a sexually provocative woman with a strong personality. Rebecca has always excelled at doing her job of being a dominatrix engaging in sexual acts for money. However, Rebecca’s life changes when she becomes the victim of a hostile client causing disaster. Hal (Christopher Abbot) is an aggressive man that treats women poorly. Faced with a dilemma, Rebecca is forced to question her faith in her commemorated profession causing trauma. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Rebecca questions whether it’s possible for her achieve happiness in a profession causing disaster.
Zachary Wigon is a newcomer towards themes of prostitution. Before he directed “Sanctuary”, Wigon had never made a movie about the lives of prostitutes before. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of prostitutes that face big barriers but he succeeded immensely. Through spellbinding cinematography, Wigon captures a prostitute embarking on a journey to find her identity. Evoking Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”, Wigon expertly uses confined spaces of an apartment to capture tensions of dominatrix seducing men. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes. For instance, the confined locations enhance the sexual scene. During this unforgettable scene, Rebecca has a sexual confrontation with Hal which causes tension. One appreciates confined locations capturing dominatrix facing tensions. Confined locations are tricky settings to use in movies. As Lenny Abrahamson’s “Room” suggested, confined spaces elevate commemorated literary adaptations. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through breathtaking visuals, Wigon captures the lives of dominatrix engaging in sexual acts causing tension.
Another admirable aspect of “Sanctuary” that merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. Wigon effectively uses production of an apartment to capture the life of a sexual dominatrix facing tension. Throughout the film, the production design of apartments captures the lives of dominatrix women facing tensions. For instance, the apartment production design elevates the dealings scene. During this tense scene, Rebecca negotiates a deal with Hal in a tense session. One appreciates the production design of apartments capturing lives of sexual dominatrix that decline. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Ariel Marx’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that sexual lovers bear. Through bold production, Wigon captures the lives of dominatrix facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Sanctuary” is a film that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to demonstrate tensions endured by dominatrix in an awkward situation. For instance, silence elevates the farewell scene. During this unforgettable scene, Rebecca bids tearful goodbyes to Hal in a moment of silence causing tension. Through clever sequences of silence, Wigon creates a strong character that audiences can easily relate to. Silence isn’t an easy technique to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” demonstrated, silence elevates movies about the Holocaust. John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” suggested that silence elevates movies about survival in silence. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Wigon captures the lives of dominatrix facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Margaret Qualley delivers one of her greatest career performances as Rebecca. Qualley first achieved appreciation for hippie girls in period pieces about Hollywood. With “Sanctuary”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a sexual dominatrix that engages in sexual acts causing catastrophes, be she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charming and emotional in her most iconic role. Through riveting expressions, she captures the angst, depression and conflicted nature of a woman engaging in sexual acts causing catastrophe. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working todays
Christopher Abbot is captivating as a sexual man whose bold relationship with a dominatrix faces tension. While Qualley gets the showier role, Abbot is also amazing and deserving of recognition. Whether he’s flirting with Rebecca or facing tension dealing with a dominatrix that is terrifying, Abbot uses his body language to create a character which is compelling. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most underrated actors working today.
Finally, “Sanctuary” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing women which face catastrophe. Unlike most movies about sexual dominatrix, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. The film discusses strong themes including infidelity, marriage and prostitution which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with dominatrix to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about extramarital affairs that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Sanctuary” is one of those rare movies about prostitution which everyone would adore.
Fans of Margaret Qualley would definitely enjoy “Sanctuary” and so will movie-goers seeking enjoyable entertainment. A riveting romantic classic, it honours an actress that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
A captivating portrait of the frightening hardships that dominatrix performing sexual acts for money are facing, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for her abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 