The Dentist (1996)

0% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
33% of users liked it
(7,281 ratings)

In this spoofy horror outing from veteran genre director Brian Yuzna, L.A. Law vet Corbin Bernsen plays Dr. Feinstone, an anal-retentive Beverly Hills dentist with an amusement park of an office replete with Planet Hollywood-worthy, themed exam rooms, piped-in opera music, and a crisp, efficient… More In this spoofy horror outing from veteran genre director Brian Yuzna, L.A. Law vet Corbin Bernsen plays Dr. Feinstone, an anal-retentive Beverly Hills dentist with an amusement park of an office replete with Planet Hollywood-worthy, themed exam rooms, piped-in opera music, and a crisp, efficient staff. When Feinstone finds out that his lovely wife, Brooke (Linda Hoffman), is fellating the pool boy, he becomes unhinged -- haunted by visions of filthy mouths and faithless spouses. Inviting Brooke back to the office on their anniversary and begging her to indulge him in his hobby of cleaning her teeth, Feinstone performs a little unorthodox oral surgery and soon uses his now-disfigured sweetie to lure her boyfriend into a backyard trap. Revenge doesn't cure Feinstone's homicidal urges, however, and soon his violence and sexual obsessions spill over into his practice -- especially after creepy IRS investigator Marvin Goldblum (Earl Boen) shows up for a little "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine." Soon, patients and staff members alike are interacting with drills and laughing gas in ways they never expected. Filmed for, and originally shown on, HBO, The Dentist did not receive a U.S. theatrical release. Yuzna, Bernsen, and Hoffman reunited two years later for The Dentist II: Brace Yourself. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Brian Yuzna
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Oct 18, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jun 5, 2001
Studio: Trimark

Critic Reviews

Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
There are lots of gory in-the-mouth close-ups, showing teeth being destroyed, needles being jammed into the gums and other graphic indignities
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Painful to watch, in more ways than one.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Bad horror flick. Period.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
There is little redeeming value in the film except that one commonality: Our universal fear of the dentist’s chair.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Icky slasher featuring some horrifying dental techniques.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

The Dentist is one cool film that is a sick, twisted path to madness. I mean that with a great smile on my face. The film is one original work of horror, and is sure to make anyone feel uneasy. Some reviews of this film on the internet have said that this film is tongue in cheek and… More
The Dentist is one cool film that is a sick, twisted path to madness. I mean that with a great smile on my face. The film is one original work of horror, and is sure to make anyone feel uneasy. Some reviews of this film on the internet have said that this film is tongue in cheek and plainly awful. ButI on the other hand consider an awesome little horror film with great, tense moments and effective horror.
Bruce B

I don't like Dentist to begin with, who does. After this movie I like them even less. This is a Pretty Good Film from Lions Gate. The Sound of the Drill comes through my speakers and just sends chills up my spine. What the dentist does to those he wants out of his life will make… More
I don't like Dentist to begin with, who does. After this movie I like them even less. This is a Pretty Good Film from Lions Gate. The Sound of the Drill comes through my speakers and just sends chills up my spine. What the dentist does to those he wants out of his life will make you cringe. The instruments are enough to make you say oh H*#$ No. Its worth 3 stars and its worth a rental with friends. But to add to one's collection I think I will pass. 3 Stars
Curtis L

This movie gets stars for intense teeth drilling scenes, but that's what you expect, and there isn't much else.