i be initially interested in this film after read a synopsis and see a few striking screenshots and and the promise be there for a gripping horror film of the dario argento style . admittedly i must say that argento film have occasionally be rather incoherent and and some feel like a handful of visually impact set piece loosely string together with a vague connecting plot . since argento be credit a writer for this and i have to say and i be not really surprise . even his masterpiece suspiria and when examine and exhibit the same tendency to string along sometimes unrelated scene purely for the aesthetic impact . however and suspiria also have the benefit of a singular main character and clear antagonist and as well a scene that contribute ultimately to the eventual resolution . the church and on the other hand and have none of these thing . it have no main character and no protagonist whatsoever while it furthermore have no real plot to speak of and and no crescendo and no climax and no denouement and and no resolution . it be a completely hollow and incoherent work that view a if argento sit down and think hey and that would make an interesting scene visually . let do it . the film be a series of these scene . initially it might be interesting and and soavi direction be excellent and i must say . soavi can not be fault for the material and a it be make as compelling a possible . however and such good direction call attention to the horrible failing of the script and and there be absolutely no sense in it . the attempt at a central unifying plot be nothing more than plagiarism of carpenter film prince of darkness . event happen solely because the script wish them to and and reaction to those event be completely implausible . the narrative flow be irreparably damage after a point and simply because there be no ability to suspend disbelief while it too ludicrous . add to this be numerous factual error that be so glaringly showcased that it become embarrass . if it have be more overtly artistic and edit down into a different work and it might have be chill or tense . if it have be flesh out into an actual cohesive narrative and it might have be grip . but it be none of these . the best it manage be confuse and and at time and infuriate . plot be introduce but never follow . character be forget about and alter arbitrarily . no logic be ever apply to any situation . it might have be scary or interesting and but to elicit that sort of feel take more effort on the part of a screenwriter . much more . all in all and the church be not worth view for anyone but total enthusiast of italian horror that be more style than substance . this be argento style at it bad and and it be a strong justification for the usual criticism .