The Sentinel

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2:31

The Sentinel

R

Released Jan 7, 1977

1h 32m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

43%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

45%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

A New York City model with a troubled past, Alison Parker decides to make some changes in her life. Breaking up with her boyfriend, Michael, Alison relocates to an apartment in a brownstone building where the only other tenant is a withdrawn blind priest. After experiencing strange occurrences, Alison begins to realize why the holy man is present -- the building has an evil presence that must be kept in check at all costs.

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David Pirie

Time Out

The only frightening thing about The Sentinel is its director's mind.

Sep 28, 2018

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

The Sentinel is a grubby, grotesque excursion into religioso psychodrama, notable for uniformly poor performances by a large cast of familiar names and direction that is hysterical and heavy-handed.

Sep 28, 2018

Full Review

Kristen Lopez

AwardsCircuit.com

The scene stealer, though, is Burgess Meredith as Alison's neighbor, Charles Chazen.

Sep 28, 2018

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…if you want to know why, a decade after his death, Michael Winner is still remembered as one of the worst directors in cinema history, The Sentinel is waiting for you…

Rated: 1/5

Apr 8, 2025

Full Review

Tony Crawley

Starburst

A mess, it is a s-l-o-w mess. Slow-witted, at that.

Jul 27, 2022

Full Review

Chris Alexander

Alexander On Film

A disturbing, sick, often campy and occasionally unspeakably horrifying theological mystery ripe with cheap, visceral thrills.

Apr 20, 2021

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Luis Otavio F

The plot is really innovative, but the development is weak and lacking in charisma, unfortunately a complete waste of time, both for them (actors) and for us (viewers).

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

Full Review

D. Hunter P

This movie did have some creepy moments and both some alarming social horror and sexual elements. The finale fell a little bit flat, but the last scene as a new couple is being moved in by the real estate agent was a nice touch.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/25/24

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the weirdest horror films from 79’s. Though film was off-the rails nuts, It was fun watching the amazing cast in such a campy horror film.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

Full Review

Alone G

i think movie was good but it was to fast for me and story was bit rush for my liked lol

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

Full Review

Jonathan O

A slow burn creepy supernatural horror thriller with really fantastic cast including familiar actors and impressive special make-up effects artist by Dick Smith but story doesn't make sense for the characters especially the chosen one leading actress to save the world from demons but I do enjoyed it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

Full Review

Justin S

You can't help but be embarrassed for all those involved in the making of this production. It's embarrassingly bad. The acting is atrocious, the writing is poor and even the score is corny. It feels like you're watching a really bad made for TV special, albeit very R-rated. It's also quite boring and often convoluted. I'm surprised such big names agreed to be a part of this.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/05/24

Full Review

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Michael Winner

Director

Chris Sarandon

Michael Lerman

Cristina Raines

Alison Parker

Martin Balsam

Prof. Ruzinsky

John Carradine

Fr. Francis Matthew Halloran

José Ferrer

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The Sentinel: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A New York City model with a troubled past, Alison Parker decides to make some changes in her life. Breaking up with her boyfriend, Michael, Alison relocates to an apartment in a brownstone building where the only other tenant is a withdrawn blind priest. After experiencing strange occurrences, Alison begins to realize why the holy man is present -- the building has an evil presence that must be kept in check at all costs.

Director: Michael Winner
Producer: Jeffrey Konvitz, Michael Winner
Screenwriter: Michael Winner, Jeffrey Konvitz
Distributor: GoodTimes Home Video [us], Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 7, 1977, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 18, 2016
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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