Def by Temptation (1990)

38% of users liked it
(1,893 ratings)

Writer/producer/director James Bond III also stars in this innovative supernatural thriller as Joel, a divinity student from rural North Carolina who has a serious crisis of faith and travels to New York to seek the advice of his friend, aspiring actor K (Kadeem Hardison). In an effort to loosen up… More Writer/producer/director James Bond III also stars in this innovative supernatural thriller as Joel, a divinity student from rural North Carolina who has a serious crisis of faith and travels to New York to seek the advice of his friend, aspiring actor K (Kadeem Hardison). In an effort to loosen up his conservative companion, K gives him a taste of New York nightlife -- personified by an alluring club vamp with the less-than-subtle name of Temptation (Cynthia Bond). Although her true nature as a soul-stealing succubus is more than obvious to the audience (particularly after several scenes of unsuspecting wannabe players torn limb-from-limb), Temptation nevertheless ensnares naïve, innocent Joel in her devilish spell, prompting K to investigate the woman's background with a little help from a detective (Bill Nunn) determined to connect her with several murders. Bond's intelligent morality play is a step above simple homage to horror and blaxploitation genres of the '70s, avoiding many of those films' stereotypes to present three-dimensional characters and realistic dialogue. The vibrant, color-rich cinematography is the work of frequent Spike Lee collaborator Ernest R. Dickerson. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: James Bond III
Genres: Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

On DVD: Mar 6, 2001
Studio: Shapiro Glickenhaus

Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Truly, truly awful.
Fred Topel, About.com
Boring low budget vampire movie, but has one or two good special effects.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

Rarely does Troma release a "high-quality" movie. That's a big surprise! Every time, we get the puzzled feeling of their reputation in bringing us the best of the worst. DEF BY TEMPTATION is an exception, however, so it's no big deal that Tromaville gets whatever… More
Rarely does Troma release a "high-quality" movie. That's a big surprise! Every time, we get the puzzled feeling of their reputation in bringing us the best of the worst. DEF BY TEMPTATION is an exception, however, so it's no big deal that Tromaville gets whatever their fans can chew on. Even with an all-black cast, it's a very well made flick on an independent level. The dark atmosphere is what really makes this hot and spicy. It has a style of its very own, a vampire horror opus that involves seduction, eroticism, and redrum...er, murder. Noteworthy is Samuel L. Jackson as a priest, but for an early screen appearance, don't expect much. If you're used to those 70s blaxploitation horror classics, including ABBY or SUGAR HILL, then consider this to be a special alternative to those glory days, only in a more updated fashion. A rock-solid example of how to make a personal movie, ladies and gentlemen.