Tag: Sanctuary

Spoiler-Free Review of “Fair Play” on Netflix: The Danger of Mixing Business with Pleasure

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“You’re everything to me…”

Fair Play premiered on Netflix on October 6th 2023. The erotic thriller-drama stars Phoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich, Eddie Marsan, and Rich Sommer. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty-five minutes.

A promotion at a competitive hedge fund puts unnecessary stress on a newly engaged couple, who insist on keeping their relationship a secret at work.

Here is the trailer:

Fair Play takes us into this disturbing corporate world, showing us just how ruthless people can be when it comes to money and power. Is this one worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Not what I was expecting…but consuming all the same.

When a film is billed as an erotic thriller, I expect some juicy scenes and some silly nonsense in-between that make for a good guilty pleasure watch. This film was not that. Sure, there were sex scenes, but most of them felt very uncomfortable to watch.

That being said, this film took an intriguing look into the pressures of trying to make it in business. Greed, power, and the obsession with success can damage everything and everyone else around us and I thought this was a compelling watch for the most part.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Chilling performances.

Both of our leads did an extraordinary job with what they were given. I thought that they both managed to capture my full attention in different ways and they elevated a lot of scenes with their delivery.

The supporting characters felt mostly filler to me, but I think that was sort of the point.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A depressing play for power.

I much preferred the seductive play for control in the recent film, Sanctuary. Fair Play lacked that finesse and depicted a battle to be on top that was filled with desperation. You really have to be in the right mood to watch this film because it will leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth.

I also think this film went on for a little too long. It really only needed an hour and thirty minutes tops…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

A brutal, dark, and uncomfortable watch.

This film wasn’t what I thought it would be, but it did keep me invested until the end.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Fair Play in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Sanctuary” on Demand: Margaret Qualley is Flawless

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“I know everything about you…”

Sanctuary released in limited theaters on May 19th 2023 and is now currently available to stream on demand as of June 20th 2023. The erotic-psychological thriller film stars Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-seven minutes.

After taking over his father’s business, Hal attempts to end his relationship with a dominatrix named Rebecca, but an argument between them escalates into a battle for true control.

Here is the trailer:

Sanctuary is unique and dangerous in an unconventional way featuring an exceptionally brilliant performance by its leading lady. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Neon

Margaret Qualley shines!

Wow she was absolutely breathtaking in this film! Her performance was unhinged and electric in all the right ways. She stole the film and then some. I loved the different take on the cat-and-mouse formula. This is one of those films that could fail miserably without strong performances and she made sure that wouldn’t happen. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She was that good!

Images courtesy of Neon

A unique concept.

At one point Hal talks about how this isn’t the 90’s and in a lot of ways, this film reminded me of those dark and steamy guilty pleasure thrillers from that decade. I actually love those erotic thrillers and I thought this film did a great job of honoring that genre while still carving its way into the new generation with provocative and sometimes extreme content that wasn’t afraid to reach new limits.

I’m all for a film trying something new and different and I applaud the effort and execution.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Neon

Trippy camera effects.

I liked the overall visual feel of the film and I think it complimented the subject matter well, but some of the chaotic camera movements felt unnatural and slightly distracting. I was very focused on what was transpiring between these two characters so these camera enhancements seemed unnecessary, but I think that comes down to preference.

There were some pacing issues throughout the film and I had mixed thoughts on the ending. It was perfectly fine, but I guess I was looking for something a slight more shocking since there was so much built up before this. I’m sure viewers will have mixed views on this, however.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Neon

I’m in about 75 percent…

I’m in for Margaret Qualley and I appreciate that this film tried to do something different and edgy, but the pacing needed some work and I guess I wanted a little bit more of an explosive ending to really seal the deal.

Keep in mind that this is not your average thriller. It takes a different approach that may seem like a simple conversation at times between two parties, but it does branch out into some moments of pure brilliance worth experiencing.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Sanctuary in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!