Def by Temptation Review

Review of Def by Temptation (1990) by screenqueeen: 👍 4/5

This is a great all-around horror movie that works especially well in its switches in tone. Its drama feels genuine with K and Joel's friendship growing and maturing right in front of you, plus the underlying themes of coming to a crossroads and dealing with mid-life crises really enriches the stakes and inevitable downfall for certain characters.

The horror plot of the film is unique as well. Its antagonist, a succubus, lures exclusively men into a ruse to sleep with her, rather she feeds on them in different ways each time. Joel is in seminary school to become a minister and is starting to have second thoughts about continuing his education in the ministry. He travels to New York City to visit his old friend K, who went to school with Joel, but had since switched paths to become an actor and make movies instead.

The succubus eventually gets to K and Joel, luring them to her separately at first and then together, where K notices sudden changes in the succubus and in Joel's behavior.

The central horror of consumption in the form of your deepest desires really reaches some unknown boundaries, and that's what really did it for me. Def By Temptation feels like a more important movie as time goes by, and James Bond III made it feel personal with his portrayal of Joel and his dedication to his family in the credits.