The Dentist

The Dentist

Year: 1996

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

HorrorThrillerHorror

After six months without a visit, Dr. Alan Feinstone, a successful dentist with a picture‑perfect marriage, discovers his wife is cheating. The revelation shatters his orderly world, forcing him to confront the rot hidden beneath the pristine façade of his life and practice, where every polished, white surface now seems to hide a lingering stench of decay.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Dentist (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Dentist (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

contemporary period (early 21st century)

The events occur in the present-day, reflecting modern medical and societal norms. The setting in the early 21st century is characterized by technological advancements in dentistry and media, which contrast with the dark psychological elements and violence depicted in the film.

Location

Los Angeles, dental practice, university auditorium

The story primarily takes place in Los Angeles, a bustling city known for its entertainment industry and diverse neighborhoods. Key locations include a dental practice where much of the horror unfolds, and an academic auditorium symbolizing the setting for the climax. These places highlight the contrast between everyday professionalism and underlying chaos.

🌇 Urban 🏥 Medical 🎓 Educational

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:51

Main Characters – The Dentist (1996)

Meet the key characters of The Dentist (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dr. Alan Feinstone (Mark Ruffalo)

A successful dentist haunted by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alan’s perfectionism and repressed anger lead him down a violent path. His psychological deterioration is marked by hallucinations and murderous outbursts, making him a complex antagonist.

🔪 Violent 🧠 Obsessive 💉 Unstable

Brooke Feinstone (Linda Hoffman)

Alan’s wife, who appears as a victim of his brutality. The revelation of her role as the final dentist working on Alan emphasizes her as a symbol of his fractured reality and of the recurring themes of betrayal and revenge.

💔 Betrayed 🤍 Victim 🦷 Wounded

Detective Gibbs (Ken Foree)

A persistent investigator working to uncover the truth behind the murders. Gibbs represents law and reality, confronting Alan’s madness and attempting to bring justice.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigative 🚓 Determined 🚨 Law

Sarah (Betsy Monroe)

A teenage patient caught in Alan’s psychotic breakdown, she symbolizes innocence threatened by his violence. Her hysterical declaration about brushing her teeth highlights her resilience and fear.

🦷 Innocence 😨 Fear 🌟 Survivor

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:51

Major Themes – The Dentist (1996)

Explore the central themes of The Dentist (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧼 Obsession

The film explores obsessive-compulsive tendencies through Dr. Alan Feinstone’s fixation on cleanliness and perfection. His obsessive nature drives him to violent extremes, illustrating how unchecked mental health issues can distort reality and lead to destructive behavior.

🧠 Madness

Mental instability is a central theme, as Alan’s hallucinations and violent acts reflect a deep deterioration of his mind. The film portrays how mental health struggles, when untreated, can escalate into dangerous and pathological actions.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:51

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about professional descent into madness like The Dentist

Stories where a meticulously ordered life fractures into brutal, obsessive violence.If you liked The Dentist, explore more movies where a character's professional perfectionism collapses into violent psychosis. These films feature protagonists in respected roles who use their expertise for horrific acts, creating a unique blend of psychological horror and graphic retribution. They share a dark tone, high intensity, and bleak outcomes.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear and fast-paced descent from a state of controlled perfection to uncontrollable madness. A single, devastating trigger, often betrayal, initiates the collapse. The protagonist's specialized knowledge becomes weaponized, leading to a series of increasingly gruesome acts that escalate tension towards an inevitable, tragic conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by the compelling character archetype of the 'fallen professional' and the specific narrative of a skills-based descent into violence. They share a high-intensity, claustrophobic vibe focused on psychological unraveling, a dark and grim tone, and a visceral exploration of obsession and loss of control.

Fast-paced psychological horror movies like The Dentist

Intense films where a character's sanity unravels swiftly in a confined setting.Find more claustrophobic and intense horror movies similar to The Dentist. If you liked its rapid descent into psychosis and oppressive atmosphere, this thread collects films with fast pacing, high tension, straightforward narratives, and bleak endings. They deliver a heavy, disturbing viewing experience focused on mental collapse.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative structure is typically straightforward and linear, designed for maximum impact. It begins at a point of crisis and accelerates downwards, with each event pushing the protagonist further over the edge. There are no subplots or moments of relief; the focus is solely on the escalating horror within a contained environment, leading to an emotionally devastating conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by a specific pacing and mood combination: a fast, unforgiving narrative pace that creates a sense of inevitability, paired with a claustrophobic and oppressive atmosphere. They prioritize intense, psychological dread over supernatural scares, resulting in a deeply unsettling and heavy viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of The Dentist

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Dentist in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Dentist is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Dentist Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Dentist, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Dentist Summary

The Dentist Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Dentist with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Dentist Timeline

The Dentist Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Dentist that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Dentist Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Dentist

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Dentist: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Dentist

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