The Church
A medieval church built over the dead becomes the epicenter of a demonic outbreak when a forbidden catacomb seal is broken.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- eerie
- oppressive
- dread-filled
- late night horror marathon
- cult horror night
What critics said
Critics broadly recognize the film's technical proficiency, Gothic atmosphere, suffocating dread, and Goblin score while finding its horror exercise narratively empty.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The church, catacombs, ancient bodies, and religious iconography form the film's central visual and atmospheric framework.
The young librarian removes a rock in the catacombs, releasing the force responsible for the ensuing possession and pandemonium.
The demonic influence spreads through the church and threatens the city with widespread pandemonium.
The church and its underground catacombs trap characters alongside the remains and secret that created the evil.
Films like The Church, and why
The Exorcist
gothic supernatural horror, demonic possession, and escalating apocalyptic dread
Suspiria
stylized Italian horror, occult mythology, and baroque visual atmosphere
The Beyond
claustrophobic religious setting, supernatural terror, and siege-like tension
Movie Details
- Director
- Michele Soavi
- Release Date
- 1989-03-10
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (259)
Cast
- Hugh Quarshie
- Tomas Arana
- Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
- Barbara Cupisti
- Antonella Vitale
- Giovanni Lombardo Radice
- Asia Argento
- Roberto Caruso
- Roberto Corbiletto
- Alina De Simone
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, Shudder, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Fandor Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, Eternal Family, Shudder Apple TV channel, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Bloodstream, ARROW
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Church about?
- A medieval church built over the dead becomes the epicenter of a demonic outbreak when a forbidden catacomb seal is broken.
- What is The Church like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Church as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Church violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Church as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Church?
- Critics broadly recognize the film's technical proficiency, Gothic atmosphere, suffocating dread, and Goblin score while finding its horror exercise narratively empty.
- Which films are like The Church?
- Films with a similar feel include The Exorcist, Suspiria, and The Beyond.
- How long is The Church?
- The Church runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Church?
- In United States, The Church streams on Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, Shudder, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Fandor Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, Eternal Family, Shudder Apple TV channel, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Bloodstream, ARROW.
