The Church aka La Chiesa is a 1989 Italian horror movie directed by Michele Soavi. Set in a gothic cathedral, the movie is part of the "Dèmoni series" produced by Dario Argento, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Soavi. The movie begins in medieval times, as the German Teutonic Knights commit a massacre in a small village. A mysterious plague breaks out, and the knights decide to quarantine the village by building a huge cathedral on top of it. They bury the bodies of the victims under the church, hoping to contain the evil. However, centuries later, the church is about to be reopened for public worship, and the evil is awoken.
The main character of the movie is Evan (played by Tomas Arana), an American art historian who is hired to restore the church's artworks. He is accompanied by Lisa (played by Barbara Cupisti), a young librarian who's researching the history of the church. As soon as they arrive, they realize that something is wrong. The atmosphere of the church is oppressive, the statues seem to come alive, and the paintings depict scenes of torture and damnation. Evan and Lisa try to ignore the ominous signs, but soon they find themselves trapped in the church, along with other visitors who've come for the opening ceremony.
The horror elements of the movie are a mix of atmospheric suspense, gory imagery, and supernatural phenomena. The church itself is a character, with its maze-like architecture, crypts, hidden chambers, and cursed relics. As the night progresses, the church becomes increasingly more dangerous, with the visitors discovering that the building is built upon a hellish pit.
The secondary characters in the movie are a diverse bunch, including a blind librarian, a group of choir children, a priest who's lost his faith, an archaeological professor, and a group of tourists. The interactions between the characters are tense and nerve-wracking, with alliances and betrayals forming and breaking throughout the night. The music by Goblin, the legendary band that also scored Suspiria and Dawn of The Dead, is haunting and memorable, contributing to the eerie atmosphere.
The violence and gore in the movie are over-the-top and gruesome, featuring scenes of impalement, decapitation, self-mutilation, and demonic possession. This is not a movie for the faint-hearted, and the horror elements are very much in the vein of '80s Italian horror, with a touch of Argento's trademark style.
Overall, The Church aka La Chiesa is a cult classic of Italian horror, regarded by many as one of the best entries in the "Dèmoni series". It's a must-see for fans of atmospheric horror, gory practical effects, and Gothic architecture. While it's not for everyone, it's a unique and intense experience that delivers on its promise of horror and dread.
