REVIEW: ‘Sanctuary’ from Sundance Now
Image courtesy of Sundance Now / Provided by press rep with permission.
Sanctuary, the limited TV series from Sundance Now, is an intriguing thriller that feels like a combination of Wayward Pines and Homecoming (starring Julia Roberts on Amazon). The eight-part series, which is now available on DVD and Blu-ray, follows the character of Helena (or “Hel”) as she tries to deal with the mysterious circumstances involving her identical sister, Siri. The dual roles are both played by the talented actor Josefin Asplund.
Due to her parole stipulations, Siri needs to take some time away from society and work on her inner demons. She has checked into an exclusive retreat facility in the high Alps of Italy, which has little connection to the outside world (it takes a long car ride and a gondola journey to reach the location). Hel is invited to visit her estranged sister, and she takes her up on the offer. The strangeness of this tucked-away Eden begins almost as soon as Hel exits the taxi that takes her to the base of the mountain resort. Her bag is checked by security, she is patted down as if she were boarding an airplane, and she must surrender her smartphone.
Eventually Hel reconnects with Siri, and the audience learns that they are identical twins. The camerawork for these scenes is exquisite because Asplund plays both roles: Siri wears her hair down, while Hel has hers pulled back into a ponytail. There are many cuts back and forth between the two sisters, no doubt utilizing a body double, and the series even includes a few side-by-side shots, likely filmed separately and later edited together. The scenes are seamless and quite convincing (to the point where this reviewer thought Asplund has an identical twin herself).
At first, Hel is impressed by the natural environs of Siri’s new temporary home. This retreat seems exactly what the doctor ordered, but then things get weird. The main premise of the TV series: Siri wants out because her girlfriend in Milan is facing an abusive husband, and she wants Hel to stay at the restrictive retreat in her place. What a clever concept, which should be credited to Marie Hermanson, who wrote the book The Devil’s Sanctuary, which the series is based on. This mountainous facility seems like the kind of place that would never let Siri leave of her own volition (her stay is the result of a parole sentence stemming from a horrific accident), but how would they know if she swapped places with her identical sister?
Sanctuary follows that tried-and-true conceit of a person finding themselves on the inside of a health facility even though that person didn’t request any help or medical assistance. Unsane, starring Claire Foy, comes to mind. Siri is the one who needs help, while Hel is simply visiting. But if their roles are switched, then Hel finds herself in a horrible predicament.
The TV series mostly works because of Asplund’s expert acting (also note: Matthew Modine turns up in a doctor role). She believably portrays two characters who are identical sisters but prove to be quite different. Her paranoia about this so-called sanatorium is warranted because something mysterious and perhaps deadly is afoot. Audiences will find it a particularly intense experience following Hel into this hell.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Sanctuary is now available on DVD and Blu-ray from Sundance Now. Click here for more information.
