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Horror film

Sator (2021): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Sator (2021) movie poster

Sator is a 2021 horror film directed by Jordan Graham, starring Gabriel Nicholson as Adam, June Peterson and Aurora Lowe. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10. Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
Echo Score
68
Metascore
82
Sator (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Director
Jordan Graham
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Sator About?

The premise of Sator without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Within a secluded forest where time appears frozen, a family's hidden past resurfaces after a sudden death. Adam investigates, battling a growing feeling of unease as he uncovers a sinister presence known as Sator. This otherworldly entity has been secretly influencing their lives, manipulating events from the shadows and targeting them for a dark purpose. The family must confront Sator and the secrets he’s revealed before they become his next victims.

Sator Themes & Keywords

· 42 tags
  • cabin in the woods
  • deer
  • wildlife observation camera
  • computer
  • grandmother
  • woods
  • cave
  • hallucinogenic
  • folk horror
  • supernatural power
  • non verbal character
  • woman tied to a tree
+30 more
  • candle
  • woman wears a nightgown
  • levitating woman
  • shooting at a glass bottle
  • isolation
  • very little dialogue
  • brothers relationship
  • some scenes in black and white
  • moonshine
  • crows
  • brother in law sister in law relationship
  • cassette tape
  • hearing voices
  • dementia
  • grandmother grandson relationship
  • animal skull
  • photo album
  • psychotronic film
  • wearing an animal skull
  • running through the woods
  • flames
  • coyote
  • antler
  • beard on fire
  • snow
  • long johns
  • burnt offering
  • burned alive
  • animal in cast credits
  • shaved head
Where to watch

Where to Watch Sator

Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Sator Cast & Characters

Gabriel Nicholson leads the cast as Adam, with June Peterson as Nani and Aurora Lowe as Deborah. Directed by Jordan Graham; 6 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Sator

· 2 more
Ratings

Sator Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Sator 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in character & emotion (50).

68 /100

Sator Echo Score Breakdown

Sator offers a potent atmospheric experience that excels in visual and sensory immersion while displaying uneven narrative focus and limited character depth. The film’s deliberate slow-burn pacing and striking imagery generate a pervasive sense of dread and curiosity among viewers attuned to mood-driven horror. However, its sparse exposition and abstract plot elements may alienate those seeking clearer storytelling or stronger emotional grounding. Overall, Sator stands as a divisive work that rewards close attention but challenges mainstream expectations.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, Sator stands out for its meticulous visual composition and bold production design. The film employs an understated color palette and carefully framed shots to create an unsettling atmosphere. Editor choices reinforce a deliberate rhythm in each sequence, heightening tension through measured transitions. Altogether, the film’s art direction leaves a memorable and distinctive imprint.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character and emotion, Sator leans into ambiguity at the expense of backstory and dialogue. The central figures remain largely undefined, which some viewers find intriguing but others regard as lacking depth. Sparse interaction and minimal lines limit opportunities for emotional resonance or relational chemistry. As a result, character engagement feels uneven, leaving audience investment contingent on patience with mystery.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, Sator adopts a slow-burning structure that prizes mood over conventional narrative clarity. The pacing is deliberately unhurried, allowing unsettling moments to unfurl gradually, yet this approach can test attention spans. Plot symbolism and references to religious texts create thematic layers but often resist straightforward interpretation. Overall, the story’s abstract quality offers intrigue for some while hindering broader engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In terms of sensory experience, Sator delivers a richly immersive sound and visual landscape that ranks among its greatest strengths. The ominous score and sound design amplify the oppressive tension, while the visual style employs stark contrasts and unsettling imagery. Well-crafted jump scares and haunting motifs coalesce into a cohesive aesthetic. Ultimately, the sensory dimension provides a haunting and memorable horror encounter.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When considering rewatch factor, Sator’s densely layered imagery and subtle symbolism may reward multiple viewings for dedicated fans. The film’s atmospheric coherence and hidden details encourage deeper analysis of its visual and thematic motifs. However, viewers seeking clear plot resolutions or character arcs may not find sufficient incentive to revisit. In sum, the rewatch appeal depends heavily on tolerance for ambiguity and mood-driven storytelling.

Plot

Sator Plot Summary

What happens in Sator from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Nani, who is battling dementia, becomes convinced that a supernatural entity named Sator is communicating with her and compelling her to engage in automatic writing. This unsettling relationship escalates when her daughter mysteriously disappears. In the wake of these traumatic events, Nani’s grandson, Adam, seeks refuge in a secluded cabin, intent on uncovering the truth about Sator. Armed with a hunting rifle and accompanied by his loyal dog, Adam explores the nearby woods, diligently reviewing footage from a deer camera set up at the cabin.

Full summary

The whole story of Sator, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Sator?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
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  7. Question 7: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What affliction is Nani suffering from?

Seen Sator?

FAQ

Sator FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Sator, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Sator?

Sator runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was Sator released?

Sator was released on February 9, 2021.

Who directed Sator?

Sator was directed by Jordan Graham.

More films by Jordan Graham

Who is in the cast of Sator?

Sator stars Gabriel Nicholson as Adam, June Peterson as Nani and Aurora Lowe as Deborah, among 6 credited actors.

Where can I watch Sator?

In the US, Sator is streaming on AMC Plus, AMC+ and ARROW and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store (availability from JustWatch).

How is Sator rated?

Sator has 5.1/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 50% on TMDB.

Does Sator have a post-credit scene?

No. Sator has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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