The Sender

The Sender

Category: (DVD)

27 new, starting at $5.06

3 used, starting at $19.78

Buy Now

Editorial Reviews

When a young man attempts suicide, he is committed to a mental hospital. The staff soon begins to suffer nightmarish visions - with the power to kill. Things take an even stranger turn when the patient's mother arrives at the ward, convinced that her son is the second coming. Disturbing special effects sequences mix with truly creepy performances as the movie builds towards its final nightmare. Oscar® winner Roger Christian (Star Wars, Alien) directs this unnerving psychological thriller.

Customer Reviews

John Doe #83

Reviewed by Annie Van Auken, 2009-08-08

It's unusual that THE SENDER (1982) isn't more highly regarded by fans of paranormal films. It's a very well-done story with several memorable characters (a couple of the psych ward patients rival the quirkiest found in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, for example).

SYNOPSIS--
"John Doe #83" (Zeljko Ivanek) is brought to a psychiatric hospital in a state of catatonic amnesia after a suicide attempt (he tried drowning in a public lake by wearing a school "letter" jacket weighted down with rocks). Dr. Gail Farmer (Kathryn Harrold) is assigned the case. Soon after "making contact" with the powerfully telepathic Doe she begins to experience jarring hallucinations, such as a medical fridge that's alive with giant bugs.

Gail's superior, Dr. Denman (Paul Freeman) wants to give Doe shock treatments but she resists the idea. When more people are affected by "the Sender's" bizarre mental projections, Denman does send him to the shock therapy room. As voltage is applied to his temples however, Doe screams in agony and all in attendance fly through the air like so many leaves in a stiff breeze. Gail rushes in and ends the electro shock. Everything returns to normal (windows unshatter etc.), but those who were tossed around remember what's happened to them.

Gail first hears from and then is visited by Jerolyn (Shirley Knight), the Sender's mother, who warns the psychiatrist that as long as she interacts with Doe she's in grave danger. Gail dismisses these admonitions as jealousy, even as Dr. Denman is convinced that his assistant feels herself to be John Doe's surrogate mom.

TV newscasts ask for viewer help in identifying Doe, or his mother or where they live (an interesting paranormal event here with the ward's TV set). Eventually, a small cabin is located and inside it is Jerolyn's corpse. She died from gas stove asphyxiation five day earlier-- BEFORE this strange patient arrived at Gail's hospital. Gail must somehow prove to Doe that he can't possibly be seeing his dead mother....


This well-told story will hold your interest to its very end, which seems more an eerie continuation than a resolution. Recommended.

Classic

Reviewed by Desiree, 2009-02-06

This film is original, very creative, and absorbing. It has a very well done surreal creepy atmosphere. It's one of those movies that pulls you in and keeps you there, and the ending has a nice twist too.
What a treat to see this finally out on dvd!
If you like the best of the eighties films, don't miss this one.

Finally On DVD !!!

Reviewed by D. Scott, 2008-11-15

One of my favorite movies!! I have the VHS version of this haunting movie. From time to time I would check to see if it would release on DVD, but all I pulled up was a similar named movie: "The Sender"...which is a science fiction action thriller with a vague plot idea..But now here it is,.. The origional and best - The Sender!...This is about a young man that at the very start, is attemting suicide...Is he psychotic or is somthing else going on in his tortured brain? You see, he has the psychic ablity to "Send" or transfer his Dreams or nightmares to others, and this always takes a toll on him physically and mentally...A scene, when he is in a Psycatric ward, he is subjected to Shock Treatment in a scene that will shock you to,.. and not soon forgotten, and remember this was relesed before C.G.I. dominated our movie viewing. The stereo sound track is fantastic...in the VHS version it almost blots out some of the dialouge...But this release got a beautiful transfer in sound and image. This movie uses strong imagery, atmosphere and mood,..instead of " 1980's type of Gore"...but dont be fooled this one will stay with you long after you see it..I guarantee..youll press "The Reply Button" after your first view this wounderfull movie experience!

Now on DVD....Finally

Reviewed by D. Scott, 2008-11-14

Throw away that old VHS Version of this Now "CULT MOVIE"..it is now available on DVD..This long forgotten movie relies deeply on mood and great visuals, and wounderful new stereo sound...It is about a young man that can project his dreams (Nightmares) on others. What a wounderful revenge movie! You will like this one,..from the 80's.

Under appreciated thriller

Reviewed by Brian D. George, 2006-01-11

Released in 1982, this film features effective performances and does a good job with creating creepy imagery. The story centers around a young man (Zeljko Ivanek) who becomes commited to a state run mental institution in order to cure his amnesia. Kathryn Harrold is the doctor who attempts to aid him. The catch is he can project his dreams to the concious world. Reality and dream reality run amok for Harrold in her quest to cure the young man. If you like intelligent thrillers, this is a movie to be viewed. Horror fans take note: this film does feature some gore, a prerequisite beheading, and enough chills to deliver the goods.