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In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

From the future director of Battlefield Earth, and actually only half as memorable while objectively better made. There are a few set pieces in this kind of dreams-cum-telekinetic psycho plot (with some Psycho flourishes to boot) that do impress - it has a must-see scene if you are into electro-shock in cinema - in what is like discount Stephen King's Shock Corridor, and it's interesting to see where Ivanek got his start before he became one of those "Oh THAT guy!" actors in the industry.But I never really cared about Ivanek's character, even minimally, or about the kind doctor Kathryn Harold who gets fucked with for the first half hour/40 minutes (it feels like it's going somewhere else too, like maybe she could be turning crazy by this John Doe fella... Until that proves to not really be the case) until it takes some... Yawn turns. The Sender is slickly made, with a stock secondary cast of crazies who may or may not be actual patients(?) and at times Trevor Jones (who also scored The Dark Crystal the same year) has to do some heavy lifting.Oh and of course it has a damn freeze frame at the end. Bottom line, it just reminds you of better movies, though Harrold is nice to look at.

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.

An mysterious young man (Zeljko Ivanek) tired to kill himself by drowning in a lake. He's been sent to the Mental Hostipal... supervised by his Psychiatrist Dr. Gail Farmer (Kathryn Harrold). Gail is starting to experienced strange things and the young man transfer his horrific nightmares to his doctor, other doctors and the patients in the hospital.Directed by Roger Christian (Battlefield Earth, Masterminds, Nostradamus) made an intriguing, solid, suspenseful horror/fantasy film. This has effective performances by Ivanek, Harrold, Paul Freeman and Shirley Knight. This is probably forgotten by now but it sort-of went on to be a Cult Classic. The DVD from Legend Films (Which is a division from Paramount). DVD has an fine anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an good Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. There's no special features on the DVD. Director Christian certainly has an eye by creating genuine shocks and suspense but too bad... his later films never topped his first one, which is this picture. Slow going at times and confusing but certainly an well made movie. (****/*****).

A young amnesic man is admitted to a mental ward following a suicide attempt. Dr. Gail Farmer is called upon to help him try and regain his memory. She soon discovers the young man possesses frightening telepathic abilities.This film starts off extremely well and builds up a strong tale full of mystery, suspense and horror. A number of overdone shocks and the final ending however hurts the film. Kathyrn Harrold does provide a tremendous performance as Dr. Gail Farmer.