Pentacle

I may have got this wrong .....
In 'witchy/scarey films, one sees the hero/heroine drawing a pentacle and sitting in it and the evil force cannot get to them.
I believe if this does really happen, it is intention and belief that manifests the protection.
Though it may also be the symbol, the pentagram.
Or a combination.
Am I right?
And what does the pentacle look like that one sits in?
Is it still the 5 pointed star?
Or is it different?

I have a cousin, although I have not seen her in years who was / maybe still is, a white witch as she always called herself. She sat / stood inside a star shaped circle, if I remember rightly. And no I did not ever join her. lol

I haven't ever used the Pentacle whilst performing a ritual or spell, I tend to cast a circle and call on the four quarters and the God and Goddess to be present and at the end I thank them and ask them to leave, it seems to work but each to their own. After all there is no right or wrong way of doing something only what feels right to you.