London, November 20 Vampire film 'New Moon,' the sequel to 'Twilght,' has come under fire from the Vatican church.

Monsignor Franco Perazzolo, of the Pontifical Council of Culture, described the film as a "deviant moral vacuum".

"This theme of vampires in Twilight combines a mixture of excesses that as ever is aimed at young people and gives a heavy ­esoteric element," the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

He added: "Men and women are transformed with horrible masks and it is once again that age-old trick or ideal formula of using extremes to make an impact at the box office.

"This film is nothing more than a moral vacuum with a deviant message and as such is something that should be of concern."

However, the film grossed 1.8million pounds at the box office on the opening day in Italy. (ANI)