The Sender (1982)

When a young man (Zeljko Ivanek) attempts suicide, he is committed to a mental hospital. The staff soon begins to suffer nightmarish visions, particularly the psychiatrist (Kathryn Harrold) who is treating him. Things take a stranger turn when the patient's mother (Shirley Knight) arrives at the ward, convinced that her son is the second coming. Directed by Roger Christian (BATTLEFIELD EARTH). Paramount didn't have much enthusiasm for the film. They wanted more of a horror movie but the director saw it as more of an "art" film with horror trimmings so Paramount gave it a limited release in the U.S. The film has its admirers including directors Quentin Tarantino and George Miller (THE ROAD WARRIOR). I found it a minor but still impressive slice of psychological horror. Christian imbues the film with lots of atmospheric and unsettling flourishes that holds your attentiveness. There's a solid underscore by Trevor Jones (THE DARK CRYSTAL). With Paul Freeman, Al Matthews and Sean Hewitt.