This #thebestofhorror challenge #03 takes me down memory lane to some of the horror movies I watched when I was much younger. I settled on reviewing The Unholy because the memory of watching the film is quite fresh in my mind.
I remember I was about 9 or 10 years old then. My family just moved into a new apartment. My Dad came home from work one evening and in his hands were two new VHS cassettes. I was excited to see what was on them. He played the film and I eagerly joined him to watch...yep, you guessed right. I was scared out of my mind that night. I think I had a nightmare about the film.
I did not allow the fear to bother me because I returned to watching the film again and again just to conquer the fear as I grew older. Then, I did not understand that actors use all sorts of makeup for their horrific faces and gruesome scenes. If only I knew, I would not be so afraid.
This film is a gripping, religious horror film released in April 1988, centered around a demon terrorizing the priests of a parish. The film is about 1 hour, 39 minutes long and was directed by Camilo Vila. Screenplay is by Philip Yordan and Fernando Fonseca.
Plot
St. Agnes Parish in New Orleans had been under the terror reign of a demon who murders the priests in charge during Lent each year. Father John Michael (played by Ben Cross), is invited to take charge of St. Agnes after two former priests (Father Dennis and Father Collins) were murdered by demonic Desiderius, who manifests as a seductive woman.
The archbishop Mosley believes Father Michael is spiritually blessed, the 'Chosen One' and that it was his destiny to free the church from the evil grip of Desiderius.
Father Michael carries out his own investigation that puts Millie, a young performer at a Satanic themed club, in his path. He eventually battles this demon and in the final confrontation, he banishes it to hell but becomes blind from the encounter.
Review
Just like a horror film should be, this one starts with a bloody scene of the former priest who was seduced by a succubus and then murdered in cold blood. At this point, viewers know what to expect.
Although, it takes a while to fully grasp the intention or direction of the film because the starting scenes are not logically arranged for easy understanding.
From the scene of Father Michael trying to save an accident victim who warns him of danger ahead to three years later where he is pushed off a tall building, falls and does not sustain any injury to Archbishop Mosley saying he is the chosen one. These sequences are not properly connected and it's until a viewer watches the film further before he is able to understand it.
I did not appreciate that there were quite a number of nude scenes because it's distracting and kind of takes the attention of the focus of the film. The actress who played the part of the seductress demoness, Nicole Fortier, provides some sexuality to the film as she appears half naked with her flaming red hair. It could also be a strategy of the film makers because we know sex always sells.
Despite its low ratings, I can say this film is one of my favourite 1980’s horror films. To enjoy the CGI effects, it's best to watch the blu-ray version released in February 2019. I did and enjoyed it far better compared to the earlier version I was introduced to.
This is my entry to the CineTV Contest: The Best Of Horror | CHALLENGE #03 hosted by @wiseagent. You are invited to participate.
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