The Dentist

Dr. Alan Feinstone appears to have it all, a thriving dental practice, a polished home life, and a wife who seems perfectly loyal. When he learns Brooke is having an affair, his orderly world buckles, exposing a brittle core hidden beneath pristine white walls. He clings to ritual and cleanliness as if they could inoculate him against chaos, but the revelation gnaws at his sense of self. He walks a cold path into control and paranoia, as Feinstone weaponizes his mastery of health and appearance to punish perceived flaws. The film keeps the danger intimate, turning a medical office into a chamber of unease rather than a typical horror set piece. His descent becomes a hospital drama and grim fable.

Directed by Brian Yuzna and released in 1996, The Dentist springs from an original screenplay by Stuart Gordon, Dennis Paoli, and Charles Finch, pairing sharp practical effects with a clinical, claustrophobic atmosphere. It favors practical effects over CGI for bite.

The film has earned a cult following among 90s horror fans for its gleefully grotesque dental fixtures and Corbin Bernsen's unsettling performance as a physician who twists health care into menace. Its blunt antiseptic visuals and merciless finale left a lasting mark on cult horror and late night viewings today.

Critical reception was mixed, with praise for the audacious premise and Bernsen's intense turn, tempered by concerns about pacing. The film probes vanity and control, exploring how a flawless exterior can mask a need to dominate others. It lingers after the credits. Its themes stay sharp for viewers revisiting it.

Box office data for The Dentist is not widely documented, reflecting its modest release and enduring status as a cult favorite on home media rather than a blockbuster run. Fans seek out screenings and commentaries on the film's practical effects.