The Sentinel

The Sentinel

Year: 1998

Runtime: 139 min

Language: english

Director: Arnaud Desplechin

DramaMysteryThriller

A Secret Service agent finds himself caught in a dangerous conspiracy and must fight to clear his name. Pursued by his own agency, he’s forced to go on the run and confront a formidable enemy in a tense and perilous game of deception. He races against time to uncover the truth and stop another attempt on the president's life, all while trying to expose the forces working against him.

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The Sentinel (1998) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Sentinel (1998) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the shadowed corridors of Washington’s power structures, a seasoned Secret Service agent suddenly finds himself at the center of a labyrinthine conspiracy. The day‑to‑day rigor of protecting the nation’s highest office gives way to a disorienting maze of hidden agendas, where every familiar protocol feels compromised. The atmosphere is dense with tension, a blend of relentless pursuit and quiet paranoia that turns the capital into a place where allies and enemies wear the same uniforms.

When the agent discovers that the very agency he has sworn to serve may be conspiring against him, he is thrust onto a frantic, coast‑to‑coast odyssey. The once‑reliable world of clear directives dissolves into a high‑stakes game of deception, forcing him to rely on instinct, old contacts, and a wry sense of humor to stay ahead of those who now hunt him. The tone swings between breath‑shortened chase sequences and moments of stark introspection, highlighting the lonely resolve of a man who must outwit the system that created him.

Against a backdrop of political intrigue and covert operations, the narrative builds a compelling portrait of a lone guardian wrestling with doubt and duty. He must untangle a web of misinformation while racing against an impending threat to the president’s life, all the while keeping a skeptical eye on the forces that seek to silence him. The film’s mood—dark, urgent, and laced with a subtle, almost cinematic melancholy—invites the audience to wonder whether truth can survive in a world where loyalty is a weapon and every secret carries a price.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:00

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The Sentinel Summary

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The Sentinel Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Sentinel

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Sentinel

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