Sanctuary (1996): cast, story & where to watch
1996 · Film · ★ 4.4
Released in 1996, Sanctuary is a drama, crime and animation film directed by Takashi Watanabe, running about 67 minutes. “Two friends. Two destinies. One Japan.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Two Japanese survivors of the Khmer Rouge massacres in Cambodia vow to find a sanctuary, even if they have to build it themselves. Returning to Japan, they take seemingly opposite paths: one becomes a politician, the other a gangster. As Asami and Houjou work through the linked worlds of politics and crime in modern Japan, they don't hesitate to do anything necessary to secure their own positions and stay true to their vow. Loyal to no one else, they find their friendship increasingly tested as they rise in their chosen fields.
Who’s in it. Sanctuary stars Kazuhiro Nakata as Chiaki Asami, Takaya Hashi as Tokai, Masako Katsuki as Hojo's Lover and Takeshi Watabe as Norimoto Isaoka, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.4/10, Sanctuary has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Sanctuary page.
If you liked it. Fans of Sanctuary tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Sanctuary (1996)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Sanctuary change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Sanctuary worth watching?
- Sanctuary holds an audience score of 4.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, crime and animation. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Sanctuary?
- Sanctuary stars Kazuhiro Nakata, Takaya Hashi, Masako Katsuki, Takeshi Watabe and Show Hayami.
- When was Sanctuary released?
- Sanctuary was released in 1996, with a runtime of about 67 minutes.