The Sender (1982)

Never heard of this film before but it came up as a recommendation on netflix and sounded good so I checked it out. Quite surprised, given the time it was made, that this was a sophisticated film which was well acted, had storyline with depth and was shot quite nicely. It's surprising because of the plethora of slasher films around at the time that are by far inferior but more well known.This was a decent horror flick that deserves a re-watch. It reminded me at points of Dario Argento films but without the stylistic lighting effects and also of the Australian horror Next of Kin.The film is set in a mental hospital and focuses on a new patient who has been brought there and the doctor who is trying to figure out his story, since he is suffering from amnesia. As the film goes on it is revealed he has some kind of telepathic powers, which result in some very cool sequences in the film. For this reason it also reminded me of Scanners and The Fury. It may remind people of Carrie also, but it is very different to that film and a lot better too.While there was the odd moment of gore, this isn't an 'in your face' horror with lots of fake scares and there is no real bad guy. It's more of a mystery film with great atmosphere, some creepy moments and cool effects.

It's easy to see how a film such as "The Sender" would go on to be one of the more overlooked horror films of its time. After all, it didn't involve a psychopath chasing horny kids with a sharp weapon; slasher films were pretty much the "it" thing during this time period. No, this is something different, something that derives much of its power from surrealism and performance. It never offers easy answers, but it does get its viewers asking questions. Zeljko Ivanek, in the role that "introduced" him, is a suicidal young man who's brought to a mental hospital where a caring psychiatrist (Kathryn Harrold) tries her hardest to get through to him. The main problem is that he has a frightening power: he can send his nightmares to other people. Another problem is that a strange woman named Jerolyn (Shirley Knight), claiming to be the young mans' mother, appears and disappears throughout the story to basically say that he needs to be with her. Thanks to the efforts of genuinely talented cast and crew members, "The Sender" sizes up as an interesting and eerie film that has a way of staying with you after it's over. Making his feature length directing debut here is Roger Christian, a man renowned for his work as an art director, set decorator, and production designer; he'd been Oscar-nominated for "Alien" and won an Oscar for "Star Wars". He creates a constant feeling of creeping unease, and successfully alternates between more subtle moments and more horrific ones. The horrific highlights employ well orchestrated special effects (by Nick Allder), and include the disastrous consequences of attempted shock therapy and an attempted operation. The beautiful, scary music score is the work of Trevor Jones. Harrold has a warm presence in the lead role, and Ivanek, who over the years has emerged as one of the great character actors in the business, is touching and vulnerable as the kid unable to maintain control. Knight is excellent, as is Paul Freeman ("Raiders of the Lost Ark") in the part of Harrolds' more clinical boss. "Aliens" fans can also note the presence of Al Matthews, a.k.a. Sergeant Apone, as a Vietnam veteran, which the actor is in real life. This film begins with an incredible feeling of tension and manages to keep that tension going for as long as the movie lasts. Overall, it's very effective, and discriminating horror fans who are looking for overlooked gems should find a fair bit to enjoy with "The Sender". Eight out of 10.

A doctor (Kathryn Harroler) tries to find out why a telepathic young man (Zelijko Ivank) is unleashing his nightmares and visions into the minds of the staff and patients and causing them injury. She thinks his weird mother (Shirley Knight) my be part of the cause. Crisp, suspenseful thriller with a solid premise and good production values & performances. One of the best horror films from the 1980's.Rated R; Violence.

This film was released with an glut of really bad horror films in the early '80s and got lost in the shuffle. That's a shame--it's one of the best of its type. There's no masked killer chasing down brain dead teens. It's about a young man (Zeljko Ivanek) committed to an institution because he tried to commit suicide. He believes his dreams can kill. A kind psychiatrist (Kathryn Harrold) tries to help him. Then his creepy mother (Shirley Knight) shows up insisting he be put in her care--but she keeps disappearing.There's very little violence or blood and guts but it's very scary and suspenseful. The ending is (now) old hat but was pretty original when this film was released. Any movie that can scare you silly with a shot of a middle-aged mother walking to her son (see the movie to find out why it's scary) is one hell of a horror movie in my book! Add to that a beautiful music score and excellent performances by Knight and Ivanek (who has gone on to be a top character actor). The only debit is Harrold who's pretty terrible. Still it's well worth seeing.