The Church (2018): cast, story & where to watch
2018 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 2018, The Church is a thriller and horror film directed by Dom Frank, running about 87 minutes.
What it’s about. The minister of a once vibrant, landmark Baptist church, now struggling to survive, is the sole hold-out in a decaying Philadelphia neighborhood earmarked for gentrification. But ultimately, the preacher’s steely resolve to preserve his family’s evangelical legacy in the community and dwindling congregation dissolves under relentless pressure from his status-seeking wife and greedy church leaders—Lured by cash bribes and promises from unscrupulous developers to establish a flashy “mega-ministry” elsewhere. Soon, the spirits of founding congregational members – stirred from the disquiet of their graves by the remorseless trespasses of another generation – begin to make their displeasure known. As the sinners – abruptly and inexplicably bound within the confines of the sanctuary – fall prey, they must all re-examine their choices and bow to the will of the covenant … only to reveal the righteous among them.
Who’s in it. The Church stars Clint Howard as Alexander James / The Spirit, Bill Moseley as Pastor James, Ashley C. Williams as Elizabeth Haines and Lisa Wilcox as Joan Laurels.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, The Church has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Church page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Church tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Church (2018)?
- In US, The Church is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Church worth watching?
- The Church holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller and horror. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Church?
- The Church stars Clint Howard, Bill Moseley, Ashley C. Williams and Lisa Wilcox.
- When was The Church released?
- The Church was released in 2018, with a runtime of about 87 minutes.