The Church (1989)

March 11, 2024 8:24 AM

[TRAILER] In a Gothic cathedral built on the mass grave of a Teutonic purge, an ancient discovery by the new librarian will release an unholy maelstrom of madness, violence and demonic vengeance.

Starring Tomas Arana, Feodor Chaliapin, Hugh Quarshie, Barbara Cupisti, Antonella Vitale, Asia Argento.

Directed by Michele Soavi. Screenplay by Dario Argento, Franco Ferrini, Michele Soavi. Story by Dario Argento, Franco Ferrini, Dardano Sacchetti. Produced by Dario Argento, Mario Cecchi Gori, Vittorio Cecchi Gori. Cinematography by Renato Tafuri. Edited by Franco Fraticelli. Music by Keith Emerson, Philip Glass, Fabio Pignatelli.

64% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on Tubi. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (3 comments total)

This was originally planned as Demons 3, but was released as a standalone instead. Well-directed in a way that makes it of a piece with the others. Unfortunately, the somewhat more serious tone created by the church setting isn't as fun as the 40 randos in a building chaos of the first two. It's very by-the-numbers, story-wise and is only really recommended for people who like the style of the era and can be happy on memorably gross imagery and vibes alone.

Excellent imagery (the giant altar of muddy demons is badass).

Score by Rick Wakeman and Phillip Glass? Holy shit.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:28 AM on March 11, 2024 [3 favorites]

the repeated punching of the '6' on the typewriter.. chilling! ;)
posted by elkevelvet at 9:12 AM on March 11, 2024 [1 favorite]

Thanks for putting these 3 on my radar! (Looks like this one's on Shudder/AMC, but not Tubi.)
posted by mediareport at 9:52 PM on March 16, 2024