The Church

The Church

Year: 1989

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: Italian

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsGothic and eerie haunting horrorTerrifying haunted and supernatural horrorCreepy chilling and terrifying horror

The Eleventh Commandment unfolds within a towering Gothic cathedral erected atop a mass grave from a Teutonic purge. When the newly arrived librarian uncovers an ancient discovery, the burial site erupts into a torrent of madness, brutal violence, and relentless demonic vengeance, drawing everyone inside into a nightmarish struggle.

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Timeline & Setting – The Church (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Church (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Medieval period; Present day

The narrative begins in the Middle Ages with a brutal massacre beneath the church. It then shifts to the present, focusing on a librarian and a restorer inside the cathedral as ancient evil begins to awaken and threaten everyone inside.

Location

Medieval Germany, present-day cathedral town in Germany

The action moves from a massacre in medieval Germany to a present-day cathedral complex. The church sits atop a mass grave and hides a network of catacombs and crypts that anchor the film’s supernatural horror. In the modern day, restoration work and religious rituals frame the tense atmosphere inside the sealed building.

🏰 Medieval setting 🕳 Catacombs 🏛 Gothic cathedral

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:04

Main Characters – The Church (1989)

Meet the key characters of The Church (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Evan (Tomas Arana)

A present-day librarian who discovers the parchment and becomes entwined with Lisa. His curiosity about medieval art triggers a horrifying transformation as he is overtaken by a demonic force. He ultimately erupts in violence, tearing out his own heart as the demon asserts control.

👤 Protagonist 🔥 Possessed 🧭 Curious

Lisa (Barbara Cupisti)

An artist supervising a church restoration who teams up with Evan. She bonds over a shared interest in medieval architecture and experiences visions of the candle-lit atrium. Lisa faces terrifying assaults as the church’s secrets threaten her safety and sanity.

👤 Artist 🕯 Vulnerable 🧭 Curious

The Bishop (Feodor Chaliapin Jr.)

A haughty church figure who reveals a willingness to let the evil inside the church play out, reflecting corruption within religious authority. His stance accelerates the moral collapse as the situation deteriorates.

👤 Authority 🌀 Corrupt 🗺 Secretive

Father Gus (Hugh Quarshie)

A compassionate priest who tries to shield the congregation from the encroaching horror. He uncovers historical records and becomes central to the plan to confront the church’s past. His resolve drives the climactic self-destruct sequence that ultimately impacts Lotte’s fate.

👤 Clergy 🛡 Protector 🧩 Resolute

Lotte (Asia Argento)

A young observer who senses the danger and carries memories of the massacre forward. Her presence unlocks crucial historical threads about the church’s architect and the building’s hidden mechanisms. She plays a pivotal role as the survivors attempt to escape the collapsing ruin.

👤 Child 🌀 Psychic 🗺 Observer

Hermann, the Sacristan (Roberto Corbiletto)

A devout sacristan who becomes aware of the anomaly inside the church. He ultimately succumbs to fear and ritual-driven danger as the situation spirals toward catastrophe.

👤 Sacristan 🗝 Guardian 🕳 Doom

Architect (John Richardson)

The designer of the church whose remains conceal a dangerous secret that activates the self-destruct mechanism. His forgotten work informs the present crisis as the characters confront the creation’s dark past.

👤 Architect 🧱 Mystery 🗺 Keeper

Reverend (Giovanni Lombardo Radice)

A religious figure representing traditional authority within the church. He embodies the conflict between duty and the unleashed evil threatening the congregation.

👤 Clergy 🕯 Tradition 🗝 Custodian

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:04

Major Themes – The Church (1989)

Explore the central themes of The Church (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗝 Secrets

A mysterious parchment and hidden architectural schematics reveal a concealed history beneath the church. The discovery points to a stone with seven eyes and a crypt whose contents threaten to unleash an ancient evil. The theme explores how long-buried knowledge can awaken terrifying forces.

🔥 Possession

Characters are overtaken by a demonic influence, shifting from ordinary behavior to violent, supernatural acts. Evan’s transformation drives much of the horror, illustrating how possession disrupts relationships and reality. The creeping influence intensifies fear as the building’s secrets surface.

🏛 Structure

The cathedral itself acts as prison and conduit for destruction. Architecture, catacombs, and a self-destruct mechanism propel the plot toward a climactic collapse. The fate of the characters hinges on the building’s hidden past and its tenuous hold on the present.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:04

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Unlock the Full Story of The Church

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Church in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Church is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Church Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Church, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Church Summary

The Church Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Church with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Church Timeline

More About The Church

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More About The Church

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