Sanctum

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Sanctum

R,

2011,

1h 49m,

Action/

Adventure/

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

Watchlist

29%

171 Reviews

Tomatometer

37%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

171 Reviews

37%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Though the South Pacific's Esa-ala Caves are some of the least-accessible on Earth, expert diver Frank McGuire (Richard Roxburgh) has explored them for months. On one such expedition, Frank is joined by his teenage son, Josh (Rhys Wakefield), and financier Carl Hurley (Ioan Gruffudd). When a flash flood cuts off their exit, they are caught in a life-or-death situation. With supplies dwindling, the divers must navigate a treacherous labyrinth to find a new escape route or die in the process.

Critics Consensus

Sanctum is beautifully photographed, and it makes better use of 3-D technology than most, but that doesn't make up for its ham-handed script and lifeless cast.

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Keith Uhlich

Time Out

Jul 31, 2023

2/5

This 3-D cave-diving adventure plays on a lot of fears, so avoid it if you have an aversion to claustrophobia, drowning or really bad acting.

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Leah Rozen

TheWrap

Oct 7, 2011

Its downfall is its clich-riddled and fusty script.

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Rafer Guzman

Newsday

Feb 25, 2011

Despite the millions clearly poured into it, the film feels cheap and amateurish. See it on IMAX if you wish, but the flaws will only look bigger.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Jul 31, 2023

2/4

The failings of 3D, the ironically one-dimensional characters, and hammy acting squander any hope of losing oneself in this tale of survival.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Oct 11, 2022

Doesn't surpass being a hypertrophied B movie. [Full review in Spanish]

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 30, 2020

6/10

An interesting journey thanks to a decent helping of suspenseful moments, but it's unfortunate the characters don't retain the same level of intrigue.

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Harry S

Mar 24, 2019

Although this is a pretty bad movie, I gotta say I am giving this a tomato because I used to watch this on repeat all the time as a young lad

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Mar 8, 2019

One of the worst movies I have ever seen the acting was worse than a high school play I have no idea how James Cameron had anything to do with this movie horrible horrible horrible do not waste your time

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Feb 28, 2019

Just the worst. It doesn't deserve more than that.

Feb 24, 2019

If you have ever cave or cavern dived, you'll like this movie. Others still should very much enjoy!

Hermione R

Feb 17, 2019

The idea behind the movie is nice, interesting... BUT... The action is SOOOOO! bad! ALICE PARKINSON acting is so bad... She got the emotional range of a peanut... Even while she is dying she look so bored!

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Anakin G

Apr 6, 2017

La trama piena di cliché e personaggi approssimativi non aiuta di certo un film che fa una enorme fatica a trasmettere emozioni. Oltre ad essere pessimo per quanto riguarda la sceneggiatura, Sanctum presenta anche degli effetti speciali piuttosto scadenti con ambientazioni e luci irrealistiche. Viste le premesse il risultato poteva essere decisamente più interessante, ma così come stanno le cose sarà certamente un film che mi dimenticherò molto in fretta.

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Alister Grierson

Director

Richard Roxburgh

Frank McGuire

Rhys Wakefield

Josh

Alice Parkinson

Victoria

Dan Wyllie

Crazy George

Christopher James Baker

J.D.

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Critics Consensus: Sanctum Is All Wet

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James Cameron, Alister Grierson and Andrew Wight talk Sanctum

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Synopsis

Though the South Pacific's Esa-ala Caves are some of the least-accessible on Earth, expert diver Frank McGuire (Richard Roxburgh) has explored them for months. On one such expedition, Frank is joined by his teenage son, Josh (Rhys Wakefield), and financier Carl Hurley (Ioan Gruffudd). When a flash flood cuts off their exit, they are caught in a life-or-death situation. With supplies dwindling, the divers must navigate a treacherous labyrinth to find a new escape route or die in the process.

Director: Alister Grierson
Producer: Andrew Wight
Screenwriter: John Garvin, Andrew Wight
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Relativity Media, Universal Pictures, Great Wight, Wayfare Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Some Violence)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 4, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.1M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS

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