THE SENTRY
Some kills aren't so routine.
Oscar® Qualifying
Best International Film — Show Me Shorts 2025
Some kills aren't so routine.
A cheeky dismantling of spy tropes and a love letter to Cambodia, THE SENTRY follows a Western agent who thinks he's about to make another routine kill—until a local guard refuses to remain a footnote.
A genre-bending tale about the extraordinary lives we're trained to overlook.
From the filmmaker behind Karmalink (Venice Critics' Week), THE SENTRY blends 70s nostalgia, action-comedy, and a sharp jab at neocolonial narratives.
It's a rare filmmaker who can make a short film feel as rich and resonant as a full-length feature. But Wachtel does just that, thanks to his meticulous craftsmanship and ethical imagination.
An elegant deconstruction of the spy genre that brings both flair and depth, The Sentry proves that even a short film can carry global weight and local soul.
The Sentry flips the action genre on its head, presenting viewers with a film that blends a series of genres, begs viewers to ask important questions, and eventually becomes fully immersed in a world that is both wildly different and eerily similar to ours.
Mixed with the usual karate-style knock-'em sock-em scene comes a comedy short with a serious theme buried beneath the laughs.
"Genre bending of the very best kind. Brilliantly written, acted and set against the jaw-dropping landscape of Cambodia."
"Surprising, silly, fun, and a bit heartbreaking."
"So great! Saw this at SXSW. Beautiful scenery of Cambodia, a memorable story I'm thinking about days later."
"This is the funnest short I've ever seen! Genre-mashup joy, a love letter to Cambodia and heart brimming with creativity."
"Perfect concept with fantastic execution and a really great heart to it… one that will be remembered."
"Morphs from action thriller to buddy comedy to tenderhearted drama in the most satisfying way."
"One of my fav shorts from this year."
"PLEASE MAKE THIS A FEATURE PLEASE"
Photography by Karl Erik Brøndbo
Coming Soon
THE SENTRY is being developed into a feature film. For investors, partners, and collaborators interested in learning more about the project.
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