Def By Temptation - Enzian Theater

Screening as part of the 13+ Films of Halloween.

35th Anniversary!

Joel grew up in the church but has recently started questioning his beliefs. After sensing a supernatural presence from his deceased father, Joel becomes compelled to visit his cousin in New York. But shortly after arriving, they become embroiled in a series of mysterious homicides of local men, all of whom were last seen in the company of a mysterious and beautiful woman.

Beautifully photographed by Ernest Dickerson (Do the Right Thing) and starring Kadeem Hardison (I’m Gonna Git You Sucka) and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), this sole directorial effort from child actor James Bond III (School Daze) is a macabre, neon-tinged portrait of late 1980s Brooklyn.

Released by Troma Entertainment, better known for Toxic Avenger films, Def by Temptation stands out as a stylish, and socially aware piece of horror, exploring the themes of religious doubt, toxic masculinity, and the consequences of unchecked desire in a time when HIV/AIDS cast a long shadow over urban nightlife. Though it was overlooked by mainstream audiences at the the time of its initial release, the film has since earned a rabid fan base and scholarly attention as a vital example of early 1990s Black horror—a precursor to works like Tales from the Hood, Bones and Candyman, and a trailblazer in a lineage that would eventually lead to the success of Jordan Peele’s Get Out.

Restoration courtesy of Troma Entertainment and the American Genre Film Archive.

Try one of our 13 Cocktails of Halloween, available at Eden Bar starting October 1:

MANHATTAN TEMPTRESS
Rye Whiskey, Dry Vermouth, Maraschino Liqueur

1990, 95 minutes, USA, Directed by James Bond III, Rated R

“Def by Temptation is a striking work of Black horror, endlessly cool in its groovy soundtrack, vibrant colors, and bloody boldness.”
– Katie Duggan, FILM DAZE
“A bold, stylish, and entertaining horror film that deserves to find a wider audience!”
– Katie Rife, A.V. CLUB
“Contributes to a Black filmmaking tradition that does not wish to replicate the sensibilities or aesthetic leanings…of Hollywood.”
– Robin R. Means Coleman, author of HORROR NOIRE
“Bond has taken a tired genre and made it fresh. Better yet, he's given substantial exposure to some very talented people both in front of and behind the camera, people all too often stereo-typed by the white film establishment.”
– Richard Harrington, WASHINGTON POST