Watch The Church

In 1989, Italian horror maestro Dario Argento directed a new movie entitled 'The Church,' which saw the director venture away from his traditional "giallo" style of horror and move towards a more supernatural-based genre. 'The Church' features Hugh Quarshie and Tomas Arana, two actors who are seasoned in the horror genre. Quarshie has appeared in several horror films, including John Landis's 'Innocent Blood' and Wes Craven's 'Vampire in Brooklyn.' Arana also has experience in the horror genre, having featured in the classic 1990s horror film 'The Body Snatchers.'

'The Church' is classic Argento; it is beautifully shot with gorgeous cinematography, a haunting score, and a macabre storyline. The movie's story is centered around an old cathedral which has been built on top of an ancient mass grave – a typical Argento touch. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to Evan, played by Quarshie, who is the church's appointed librarian, tasked with cataloging the cathedral's vast collection of books. Evan comes across a manuscript buried deep within the dusty tombs of the library, which describes an ancient curse that condemns the spirits of the dead to never rest in peace.

As a result of Evan's discovery, he unwittingly unleashes the ancient curse, and the cathedral's inhabitants soon experience a plethora of supernatural occurrences. These occurrences range from grotesque visions to dark presences and then, ultimately, to possession. The possession sequences are intensely creepy, and they are definitely the movie's most unsettling moments.

While the supernatural elements of the film are undoubtedly its biggest selling point, it's worth noting that the cinematography and production design are also spectacular. Aesthetically, the movie is striking, with muted colors and unusual camera angles setting it aside from other horror films of the time. The cathedral itself is an imposing structure that looms large over the proceedings and acts as a fittingly eerie setting for the supernatural narrative.

Argento's flair for the dramatic is also evident in 'The Church,' and there are several over-the-top sequences of gore and violence that are sure to please fans of the horror genre. Some of the movie's more memorable moments include one character finding themselves trapped inside a chamber filled with the skeletons of the cathedral's previous inhabitants or the elaborate death scenes that heavily involve the cathedral's many religious artifacts.

The movie's musical score is hauntingly beautiful, and Italian composer Keith Emerson has done an incredible job of setting the tone for each individual scene. The music is dark and moody, with atmospheric soundscapes that heighten the supernatural elements of the movie.

'The Church' may not be Dario Argento's most well-known horror film, but it is certainly one of his more imaginative and creepiest. If you're a fan of classic horror movies or just looking for a good scare, 'The Church' is definitely worth a watch.