AllMovie

This suspenseful horror tale was somewhat compromised by the tragic death of its 32-year-old director-star, Eric Woster, prior to the film's completion. Woster plays Nick Hanson, a single father who moves into a strange house in North Hollywood with his young daughter Amy (Tiffany Ballenger). He soon finds himself haunted by an evil dating back 36 years to a gruesome family murder. His friend (Ramon Sheen) becomes possessed -- conquistadors appear in his living-room, and action-figures warn him of impending doom. Nick becomes suicidal and takes Amy to his Montana hometown, pursued by a dedicated policeman (Robert Wuhl) and evil forces, but a kindly ghost (Stuart Whitman) prevents him from jumping to his death. Nick finally discovers a time-portal in his living room, by which he, Amy, and a concerned social worker (Dedee Pfeiffer) travel back to 1956 to solve the mystery. Sandman takes a surprisingly straight approach to its fantasy elements, but does feature cameos by such television stars as Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Philip McKeon, and Gailard Sartain. Light on gore but long on chills, this intriguing film is worthwhile viewing in spite of its flaws.