The Sect – original title: La Setta and also known as The Devil’s Daughter – is a 1990 [released 1991] Italian horror film directed by Michele Soavi (Dellamorte, Dellamore) from a screenplay co-written with producer Dario Argento and Gianni Romoli. The movie stars Kelly Curtis, Herbert Lom (Dark Places; Asylum; The Phantom of the Opera) and Maria Angela Giordano (Satan’s Baby Doll; Burial Ground: Nights of Terror; Giallo a Venezia).
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Following the 1970s set prologue, events take place in present-day Frankfurt, Germany.
Plot:
Miriam Kreisl (Kelly Curtis) is a young schoolteacher who narrowly misses her car hitting an old man carrying a box. Reluctantly, she takes in Moebius Kelly (Herbert Lom), the mysterious old man.
What Miriam doesn’t know is that their meeting is no accident. Moebius is the elder of a satanic sect and she has been chosen to give birth to the son of Satan…
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Reviews:
“It’s everything you expect from a good Italian horror film (stylish, nightmarish, ingenious) and more besides (gripping, well-paced, coherent). There’s a definite Alice in Wonderland vibe as Miriam follows her white rabbit down a hole in her basement, opening up a world of extraordinary sights and hidden horrors, but the film is nevertheless a true original.” Anchorwoman in Peril
“Argento, Romoli and Soavi’s clunky script makes understanding this film a needless chore, and the latter’s directorial prowess is seriously questionable. Radice, as always, is super-cool, but 180 seconds of screen time is far from a saving grace. Kill it with fire.” Digital Retribution
“Rosemary’s Baby and The Omen are certainly major influences, both in regards to the storyline and the themes (the Satanic Panic phenomenon was in full swing when this film was made), but Soavi does conjure up the odd cool ideas – like the demonic bird. In the end, however, it’s the score and those visuals that help paper over the cracks, while Curtis makes for an engaging heroine.” Kultguy’s Keep
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Cast and characters:
Kelly Curtis … Miriam Kreisl
Herbert Lom … Moebius Kelly
Mariangela Giordano … Kathryn (as Maria Angela Giordano)
Michel Adatte … Frank
Carla Cassola … Doctor Pernath
Angelika Maria Boeck … Claire Henri
Giovanni Lombardo Radice … Martin Romero
Niels Gullov … Mr Henri
Tomas Arana … Damon
Donald O’Brien … Justice Jonathan Ford
Yasmine Ussani … Samantha
Dario Casalini … Mark
Paolo Pranzo … Steven
Richard Sammel … Truck Driver
Ralph Bola Mustapha … Second Truck Driver
Trailer:
