Grief is hard. Its psychological effects can last a lifetime, cropping back up when we least expect without so much as a “Heeeeere’s Johnny!” to announce its sudden presence. No wonder it makes such a good subject for horror! Classics, like 1980’s The Changeling, contemporary masterpieces like The Babbadook, and now 2019’s The Parish all deal with grief in new and terrifying ways. And, while it may not be as terrifying as the other two, the latter film just may be the perfect flick for any genre newcomers to test the waters with: not too scary, but full of genre conventions used in familiar as well as exciting ways.

The film follows mother Liz (Angela DiMarco) and daughter Audrey (Sanae Loutsis) as they relocate with the help of Liz’s college buddy, a realtor, to a small, quiet town following the death of the family patriarch in Afghanistan. Audrey immediately begins classes at the local catholic school, while Liz, with the aid of plenty of red wine, unpacks and settles the family into their new home.

The real drama doesn’t begin until about halfway into the film. Liz has been having nightmares of her husband, but nothing too out of the ordinary until an impromptu trip to the basement of Audrey’s school while chasing a lost ball lands her in hot water with school administration, with a rather severe nun known as Sister Beatrice paying her a house call in the early hours of the morning. When Liz complains about this unorthodox disciplinary system, she’s informed that the school hasn’t employed clergy of any sort in decades.

Additionally, the janitor Liz encountered in the basement and Audrey’s new friend, Caleb, also don’t seem to exist. Liz, however, digs in her heels. She knows she and her daughter aren’t crazy, so, with the help of the parish priest, Father Felix (Bill Oberst Jr.), she digs deeper into the history of the parish, uncovering a decades-old murder mystery while she’s at it.

If “feel-good” movies and horror movies are not mutually exclusive, then The Parish is 100% a feel-good horror movie. Movies about grief and loss have the potential to be absolutely miserable to slog through, but between moments of lighthearted humor and the absolute love the Charles family has for one another, this particular movie about grief was a delight. Angela DiMarco especially brings a powerful performance as Liz Charles. Wonderfully expressive every moment she’s on screen, DiMarco is one of the most believable actresses in indie horror. Period.

Though fairly conventional and predictable for genre veterans, The Parish is still 100% worth checking out when it’s released on March 16, 2021. Sometimes, we need a little familiarity. And, despite the premise of “using devout Catholicism to fight spooky ghost nuns,” this is anything but The Conjuring 2 LITE. It’s charming, funny, and boasts a fascinating murder mystery that makes it worthwhile for long-time horror fans and genre skeptics alike.

8 out of 10