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The Sentinel
1977 92 min United States of America R 18+
★5.7
Horror, Mystery, Fantasy
Director: Michael Winner
🎭 Based on
«The Sentinel»
byJeffrey Konvitz
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
Description
As a young girl, Alison Parker attempted suicide after being traumatized by her father's sexual exploits. Now an elite fashion model, she moves to a Brooklyn Heights apartment building where she encounters a number of bizarre, eccentric tenants and attempts to uncover the building's sinister secret.
Worldwide:
$3
Starring
Cristina Raines
Actor
Ava Gardner
Actor
Chris Sarandon
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1978
— Best Horror Film
Saturn Awards 1978
— Best Screenplay
Saturn Awards 1978
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Key opinion
The Sentinel is a polarizing 1970s supernatural horror film recognized for its dense, Lovecraftian atmosphere and an impressive ensemble of future stars. While some critics praise its surreal intensity and thematic ambition, others dismiss the narrative as a derivative, uneven collection of genre tropes.
| Acting | The film features a remarkable roster of iconic actors in early roles, including Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, and Tom Berenger. | |
| Production | The production creates a dense, psychedelic, and dread-filled atmosphere that effectively pays homage to 1970s horror classics like Rosemary's Baby and The Omen. | |
| Originality | The screenplay is often viewed as a derivative patchwork of existing gothic and religious horror motifs rather than an original concept. | |
| Pacing | Viewers are divided on the pacing; some find the slow-burn approach creates sustained tension, while others find the experience uneven and occasionally boring. | |
| Ending | Opinions diverge on the climactic demonic sequence: some find it a memorable, visceral nightmare, while others criticize it as visually weak or unfrightening. |