The story of The Initiation of Sarah
When Sarah Goodwin arrives at college, she's carrying two heavy things: a secret psychic gift and the weight of being the adopted sister to the effortlessly popular Patty. The Initiation of Sarah follows this withdrawn young woman as she navigates the treacherous social landscape of campus sorority life, where acceptance hinges on looks, connections, and willingness to play the game. What Sarah doesn't know—not yet, anyway—is that her mind harbors the ability to destroy with a single thought. She's got telekinetic powers that would make most people run screaming. When the prestigious sorority led by the icy Jennifer Lawrence shuts her out, Sarah finds refuge with a rival house full of misfits and outcasts. But her new sanctuary comes with its own dark secret: the house mother, Mrs. Hunter, isn't interested in Sarah's friendship. She's interested in her power. And she'll stop at nothing to weaponize it.
Behind the making of The Initiation of Sarah
Directed by Robert Day, The Initiation of Sarah premiered on ABC on February 6, 1978, as part of the network's made-for-television movie slate. The film was produced by Stonehenge Productions and Charles Fries Productions, a company known for genre television content of the era. What's notable is that the movie arrived in a specific cultural moment—just three years after Brian De Palma's Carrie had turned Stephen King's telekinesis narrative into a box office phenomenon. Television networks were eager to capitalize on horror's growing mainstream appeal, and this sorority-set thriller fit squarely into that appetite.
The cast included Kay Lenz in the central role of Sarah, alongside Morgan Fairchild, Shelley Winters, Tony Bill, and Robert Hays—a solid ensemble of working television actors who'd become familiar faces in living rooms across America. Lenz, in particular, brought a genuine vulnerability to Sarah that anchored the entire film. The production generated some genuine controversy upon its initial broadcast, primarily due to a scene involving Fairchild in a wet T-shirt after being thrown into a fountain—something that pushed the boundaries of what ABC was willing to show at the time. By today's standards it's almost quaint, but in 1978, it signaled that this wasn't your typical primetime fare.
The 96-minute runtime gave the filmmakers enough space to develop character dynamics and build tension without the bloat that sometimes plagued television movies of the period. Shot in Southern California, the film captured that particular late-1970s aesthetic—the fashion, the hairstyles, the color palette—that's become almost a character unto itself in retrospective viewing.
What makes The Initiation of Sarah stand out
Here's what strikes me about The Initiation of Sarah: it understands that the real horror isn't the telekinesis. It's the social cruelty that precedes it. The film works because it spends genuine time on Sarah's isolation before her powers become the plot engine. We see her rejected, humiliated, and separated from her sister—the one person who might have her back. That emotional groundwork matters. When the supernatural elements arrive, they don't feel grafted on; they feel earned.
Kay Lenz's performance is the backbone here. She plays Sarah not as a seething avenger-in-waiting, but as someone genuinely confused and hurt by the casual cruelty around her. That restraint—that refusal to wink at the camera—is what keeps the film from sliding into camp. Shelley Winters, as the mysterious Mrs. Hunter, brings an unsettling intensity to her scenes. You can feel her schemes brewing beneath every interaction. The thing nobody mentions is how the film actually builds sympathy for Sarah's eventual retaliation. We don't just accept it; we understand it.
Audience reception has been mixed but fair. Reviewers often note that while The Initiation of Sarah borrows heavily from Carrie's template—the shy girl with powers, the social rejection, the explosive finale—it carves out its own identity by focusing on the sorority ecosystem as its own microcosm of power and betrayal. One viewer on Movie OTT noted that the film "definitely has flavors of Carrie in this TV movie but still pretty entertaining though does lag some in the second act before redeeming itself with a satisfying finale." That's a fair read. The pacing isn't always tight, and there are stretches where the plot spins its wheels. But when it works—when Sarah's powers start manifesting in small, terrifying ways—the film grabs hold and doesn't let go.
Where to stream The Initiation of Sarah online
The Initiation of Sarah is available on major OTT services, and you can check the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page to see exactly which platforms currently carry it in your region. Streaming availability shifts regularly, so Movie OTT keeps that information updated so you don't have to hunt across five different services. The film's been reissued several times over the decades—first on VHS, then DVD, and now it's made its way into the streaming era, which is fitting for a movie that's become something of a cult artifact. If you're a fan of 1970s horror or made-for-TV movies from that era, this one's worth tracking down.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed The Initiation of Sarah?
Robert Day directed the film, bringing his television expertise to this supernatural horror story. Day was a prolific TV director who understood how to build tension within the constraints of network television.
Q: When did The Initiation of Sarah originally air?
The film first aired on ABC on February 6, 1978. It was part of the network's made-for-television movie programming, which was a major source of genre content during that decade.
Q: Is The Initiation of Sarah based on a true story?
No, it's an original screenplay created for television. While it shares thematic DNA with Brian De Palma's Carrie (itself based on Stephen King's novel), The Initiation of Sarah is its own fictional story about sorority life and psychic powers.
Q: How long is The Initiation of Sarah?
The film runs 96 minutes, giving it enough time to develop its characters and build toward its climactic finale without the padding that sometimes plagued television movies.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for The Initiation of Sarah?
The film holds a 5.5/10 rating on IMDb, reflecting mixed but generally positive audience reception. Many viewers appreciate it as a solid example of 1970s television horror, even if it doesn't reach the heights of theatrical releases from the same era.
Final thoughts on The Initiation of Sarah
If you're hunting for 1970s horror that isn't trying to be something it's not, The Initiation of Sarah deserves a spot on your watchlist. It won't blow your mind. It's not a masterpiece. But it's a competently made, genuinely engaging television movie that understands how to balance character work with genre thrills. The sorority setting gives it a unique flavor compared to other telekinesis narratives, and the ensemble cast keeps things grounded even when things get weird. Whether you're a completist tracking down every paranormal film from the era or just looking for something that captures that specific late-70s vibe, this one's worth your time.
