Sanctuary

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CAT'S PICK : ★ 7.2

Sanctuary was shot in less than three weeks in a solitary room, fundamentally, and it's an ideal little movie superbly elegantly composed by Micah Bloomberg and smoothly planned by Zachary Wigon. In addition, the performance by Margaret Qualley as Rebecca, the doorwoman, and Christopher Abbott as Hal, is a two-hand triumph that exudes chemistry and deft humor. The pleasure of watching the movie comes from navigating its clever narrative, which ping-pongs along on a stream of plot permutations that are always changing and dialogue that is sharp and slicing. The fun is in the hints of uncertainty.

In about five minutes, nothing really strange happens in Sanctuary. They appear at the very beginning. We see a tasteful blonde thumping on the entryway of a lavish lodging suite and afterward a person opens up and welcomes her in. We wonder if he's about to have a wild sex romp when he pulls out a bottle. Maybe in any other movie. However, this film is not like any other.

Qualley's portrayal as a dominatrix is beyond bizarre. She appears to be 14 and cannot dominate anyone. Even though the movie doesn't show her wearing leather and doesn't show whips, the script, as it is, demands that there be something about her that commands obedience.

Just as we begin thinking about what's happening, the film comes through with a clarification that is less intriguing than the secret. It’s just a game during the interview. Hal has been a wealthy client of Rebecca's for a very long time. Rebecca is a dominatrix.