The Sentinel (1976)

Nothing scares the hell out of people like religion, and the Catholic Church, with its centuries of history and arcane rituals, has figured in dozens of horror pictures that seek to exploit the combination of fear and respect that people (non-adherents in particular) hold for its priests. The Sentinel certainly follows in the footsteps of films like The Exorcist which apply a Catholic theological approach to questions of heaven and hell, but the film opens with some stylistic cops from Rosemary's Baby, a more doctrine-neutral occult tale. New York model Christina Raines' new apartment building is populated by a group of eccentric neighbors (including Burgess Meredith as the nosy Ruth Gordon character) who expend an inordinate amount of effort to draw her into their circle. When it's discovered that they may or may not be figments of her imagination, The Sentinel's story finds some nice twists of its own, and ultimately succeeds as a creepy little trifle for those who can accept the Catholic Church as a sinister institution that forces innocent nonbelievers into servitude at the gates of Hell. Star watchers will also enjoy seeing future lead players such as Jeff Goldblum, Jerry Orbach, and Christopher Walken in minor supporting roles. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide