Rather enjoyed The Sect (1991) last night. After his fun but blatantly flawed The Church, it shows Michele Soavi on the cusp of greatness. A rather standard, predictable set up in which a young school-teacher is entangled with murderous Satanists with a messy, slightly annoying cap off (though there's a possibility of the very final moments being somewhat inspired if only they were a little clearer) and one of Pino Donaggio's lesser scores. But full of delights too. From the outset, spurts of stylish and grisly violence (more about the artful splash of blood than the brutal impact), and Tomas Arana, Herbert Lom and an array of fellow sectists bringing ample creepiness. And as it gets in gear its imagery becomes vital. Consistently odd and engaging, and consistently popping up, blending readily comprehensible symbolism (bunnies and spirals) with more elusive weirdness (mysterious blue goo) to produce a fine sense of powerful doomy intrigue. Of a malevolent order beyond human agency inexorably asserting itself. The pace rarely flags despite a near two hour run time, and Kelly Curtis (sister of Jamie Lee) is a likeable protagonist. I might rank this third out of Soavi's four old horrors. But its still well worth a watch.