The Sentinel Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A model rents a cheap apartment in Brooklyn and it turns out to be hell, literally, and she gets stuck with a dead-end job.

🍿 The Sentinel: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Fashion Model’s Search for Independence

Alison Parker, a successful fashion model, seeks independence from her boyfriend, Michael, by finding her own apartment. She discovers a seemingly perfect, affordable apartment in a Brooklyn Heights brownstone, unaware of its sinister secrets and her impending role in a supernatural battle. This sets the stage for a descent into psychological horror as Alison’s past traumas resurface.

Strange Neighbors and Disturbing Visions

As Alison settles into her new apartment, she encounters eccentric neighbors and experiences disturbing visions and health problems. She is plagued by insomnia, fainting spells, and flashbacks to traumatic events from her past. These occurrences lead her to question her sanity and the true nature of her new home, blurring the line between reality and nightmare.

The Apartment’s Dark Secret Unveiled

Alison and Michael investigate the apartment building and its mysterious history, uncovering connections to the Catholic Church and a hidden gateway to Hell. Michael’s research reveals that the building has a history of housing individuals who attempted suicide and became guardians against evil. They soon discover that Alison has been chosen to become the next sentinel, a protector against demonic forces.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Alison Parker (Cristina Raines): A troubled fashion model who moves into a Brooklyn Heights apartment and discovers its sinister secret, ultimately becoming the next sentinel.
• Michael Lerman (Chris Sarandon): Alison’s lawyer boyfriend who investigates the strange occurrences in her building and uncovers a horrifying truth about the gateway to hell.
• Miss Logan (Ava Gardner): The real estate agent who knowingly rents the apartment to Alison, playing a crucial part in the supernatural events.
• Father Halliran (John Carradine): The blind priest living on the top floor, serving as the current sentinel guarding the gateway to hell.
• Charles Chazen (Burgess Meredith): An eccentric and unsettling neighbor who welcomes Alison to the building and is revealed to be a demonic force.
• Detective Gatz (Eli Wallach): The veteran police detective who investigates the strange events surrounding Alison and Michael, suspecting foul play.
• Monsignor Franchino (Arthur Kennedy): A high-ranking member of the Catholic Church who is aware of the sentinel’s duty and ensures the gateway to hell remains guarded.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Michael Lerman: “The angel Uriel was stationed at the entrance to Eden to guard it from the devil. Since that time a long line of guardians… sentinels, have guarded the world against evil.” – Michael is explaining the history and purpose of the Sentinel to Alison.
• Michael Lerman: “All the people you saw here, the old man, the lesbians… all of them are reincarnations. Devils.” – Michael reveals the true identities of Alison’s neighbors.
• Michael Lerman: “The only way they can stop the new sentinel is to make you commit suicide.” – Michael explains the demons’ plan to prevent Alison from fulfilling her destiny.
• Michael Lerman: “That’s what they were trying to do.” – Michael summarizes the demonic scheme after revealing their true intentions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3.7M
• Domestic Gross: $13.5M
• Worldwide Gross: $13.5M

💥 The Sentinel Reviews

Personal Review

I watched this movie late at night, and it definitely creeped me out. The apartment building itself felt so sinister, and Cristina Raines’ performance really sold the feeling of dread. I was genuinely disturbed by the ending, especially the imagery of the deformed figures. It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s one that stuck with me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1970s horror”
  • “Viewers interested in religious horror themes”
  • “Those who enjoy psychological thrillers with supernatural elements”
  • “Movie buffs who appreciate ensemble casts and cult classics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Suicide themes”
  • “Use of people with disabilities in potentially exploitative ways”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “‘The Sentinel’ delivers effective scares but suffers from a convoluted plot. The all-star cast elevates the material, but Michael Winner’s direction lacks subtlety.
• The New York Times: “Despite boasting a formidable cast, ‘The Sentinel’ is a rather hollow horror film. The film’s attempts at shock are more grotesque than genuinely frightening.

Audience Reactions

The film’s unsettling atmosphere kept viewers on edge.: Many praised the star-studded cast and unique premise of a gateway to hell.

Viewers were particularly disturbed by the controversial ending featuring real people with deformities.: The movie has a creepy vibe to it that is unlike other horror movies.

Overall Consensus: A flawed but effective horror film with a strong cast and disturbing imagery, ‘The Sentinel’ remains a cult classic despite its uneven execution.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Michael Winner sparked controversy for using individuals with real deformities to portray the demonic entities, drawing comparisons to Tod Browning’s ‘Freaks’.”
• “The exterior and interior shots of Alison Parker’s apartment building were filmed at 10 Montague Terrace in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, creating a sense of authenticity.”
• “Jeff Goldblum’s voice was noticeably dubbed in the film, which many fans find odd. No explanation has ever been officially provided.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Sentinel?

As of today, you can find ‘The Sentinel’ available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable VOD options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Sentinel, you might like these similar films:

• Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Shares themes of supernatural horror, paranoia, and a woman isolated and manipulated by unseen forces within her apartment building.
• The Exorcist (1973): Features themes of demonic possession and the battle between good and evil, centering on a young woman.
• The Tenant (1976): Focuses on a character’s descent into madness fueled by paranoia and the sinister atmosphere of their apartment building.
• Angel Heart (1987): A psychological horror film with occult themes set in New York City. The film has a similar descent into Hell theme
• Saint Maud (2019): Deals with religious extremism, paranoia, and a descent into madness, offering a modern take on psychological horror.

🛒 The Sentinel Related Products

• The Sentinel (Blu-ray): High-definition transfer of the original uncut version with behind-the-scenes features and commentary, a must-have for collectors.
• The Sentinel: A Novel by Jeffrey Konvitz: The original novel that inspired the film, offering a deeper dive into the story and characters.
• The Sentinel Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original theatrical poster, perfect for decorating a home theater or fan cave.
• 10 Montague Terrace, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA, film location print: A high-quality reprint of the movie’s film location print, perfect for decorating a home theater or fan cave.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Sentinel features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Gil Melle
• “The Window” – performed by Gil Melle
• “The Cat Party” – performed by Gil Melle

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Secret Service Agent Rates 11 POTUS Protection Scenes In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

Ever wondered how accurate those Secret Service scenes in movies are? This former agent breaks down scenes from ‘The Sentinel’ and other films, and it’s wild to see what they get right (and wrong)!

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