Soavi's third film credited as a director simply is a unique experience. It's a complex and demanding horror adventure, handling about a young German schoolteacher (Kelly Curtis) who becomes dangerously involved with a satanic sect led by veteran-actor Herbert Lom. The screenplay (co-written by Dario Argento) often is confusing, but the energy and enthusiasm Soavi puts into the direction simply make this one of the greatest Italian genre efforts ever. The Sect has a terrifically sinister premise and it's brilliantly cinematographed. Soavi clearly has eye for camera-movements and original angles. Even though this film features a rarely seen level of morbidity, you can't just categorize it as horror alone! In a way, The Sect also is a twisted fairy-tale (try and detect all the similarities between Miriam's adventure and 'Alice in Wonderland') and a ultra-black comedy (the sect's most devoted killer looks exactly like Charles Manson!). I'd love to write more about this intriguing film but I'm reluctant to reveal too many spoilers. At any moment in this film, you have no idea what'll happen next. Anything is possible in Michele Soavi land and I'd love for you to check it out yourself! There are a few deliciously grim sequences and great make-up effects. Highlight of the macabre unquestionably is the face-ripping scene! And there's another great trivia detail for Italian horror buffs: Giovanni Lombardo Radice has a small role early in the film. The man is clearly aging but he still knows how to gruesomely die in films.
Let's talk about Michele Soavi!! Unquestionably Dario Argento's most gifted acolyte, but he never really got out of Argento's or Lamberto Bava's shadow. Dario Argento (Tenebrae, Inferno, Suspiria ) took Soavi under his wings because they have the same tastes in film-making and they both share a passion for horror. Very true, but I think you can't deny Soavi is a lot more subtle than his mentor and merely chooses for suspense and atmosphere rather than to rely on graphic gore. The film I saw of him (The Sect, Dellamorte Dellamore and The Church) all had a fair share of blood but they're not exactly the gorehound festivals Argento often delivers. I also think Soavi puts more dept and intelligence in his films. Everything he ever was involved in comes with my highest possible recommendation
Let's talk about Michele Soavi!! Unquestionably Dario Argento's most gifted acolyte, but he never really got out of Argento's or Lamberto Bava's shadow. Dario Argento (Tenebrae, Inferno, Suspiria ) took Soavi under his wings because they have the same tastes in film-making and they both share a passion for horror. Very true, but I think you can't deny Soavi is a lot more subtle than his mentor and merely chooses for suspense and atmosphere rather than to rely on graphic gore. The film I saw of him (The Sect, Dellamorte Dellamore and The Church) all had a fair share of blood but they're not exactly the gorehound festivals Argento often delivers. I also think Soavi puts more dept and intelligence in his films. Everything he ever was involved in comes with my highest possible recommendation