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Def by Temptation

  • 1990
  • R
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
5.2/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
Kadeem Hardison, Freddie Jackson, Melba Moore, and Bill Nunn in Def by Temptation (1990)
Horror

An evil succubus is preying on libidinous black men in New York City, and all that stands in her way is a minister-in-training, an aspiring actor, and a cop who specializes in cases involvin... Read allAn evil succubus is preying on libidinous black men in New York City, and all that stands in her way is a minister-in-training, an aspiring actor, and a cop who specializes in cases involving the supernatural.An evil succubus is preying on libidinous black men in New York City, and all that stands in her way is a minister-in-training, an aspiring actor, and a cop who specializes in cases involving the supernatural.

  • Director
    • James Bond III
  • Writer
    • James Bond III
  • Stars
    • James Bond III
    • Kadeem Hardison
    • Bill Nunn
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.2/10
    2.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Bond III
    • Writer
      • James Bond III
    • Stars
      • James Bond III
      • Kadeem Hardison
      • Bill Nunn
    • 27User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Def by Temptation
    Trailer 1:46
    Def by Temptation

    Photos35

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    Top cast23

    Edit
    James Bond III
    James Bond III
    • Joel
    Kadeem Hardison
    Kadeem Hardison
    • 'K'
    Bill Nunn
    Bill Nunn
    • Dougy
    Samuel L. Jackson
    Samuel L. Jackson
    • Minister Garth
    Minnie Gentry
    • Grandma
    Rony Clanton
    • Married Man
    Steven Van Cleef
    • Jonathan
    John Canada Terrell
    • Bartender #1
    Guy Davis
    • Bartender #2
    Cynthia Bond
    • Temptress
    Najee
    Najee
    • Self
    Freddie Jackson
    • Self
    Melba Moore
    Melba Moore
    • Madam Sonya
    Z. Wright
    • Young Joel
    Michael Rivera
    • Gay Guy
    Sundra Jean Williams
    • Mrs. Garth
    Beth Latty
    • Lady #2
    Angela Stokes
    • Lady #3
    • Director
      • James Bond III
    • Writer
      • James Bond III
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews27

    5.22.6K
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    Featured reviews

    5kosmasp

    What Llloyd said

    Though I'm not sure if that's a badge of honor or not. Lloyd Kaufman (Mr. Troma himself) says in an intro video to the movie, that this is the best movie Troma has done ... ever. That might be saying more about the other movies than this one I guess ... But seriously though, I remember this from the first time I watched it and when I did re-watch it recently it did not age that badly. Especially if you consider the fact that it has no budget and many things that were "in" in the 80s, but look ridiculous now!

    Don't be fooled by Samuel L. Jacksons face on the cover. Yes he is in the movie, but of course not really that much. The star of the movie is someone else. The dialogue seems crazy at times, but one particular dialogue is almost enough to rate this a "10" (no I haven't but the scene is really hilarious!) -> Reply being "we've got to do all that ...". You'll know it, when you hear it! I'm looking forward to listen to the audio commentary.
    8TalesfromTheCryptfan

    One of the most underrated vampire movies of the 90's!

    In New York City, there is a beautiful temptress (Cynthia Bond) who seduces men at bars then takes them to her place only to murder them and drain their blood as she's actually a vampire. Joel (James Bond III) is a student from out-of-town who just came to the city to seek the advice of his actor friend named K ( Kadeem Hardisan), he also shows Joel a good time around the big apple especially at bars then has the help of Joel and a detective to find out what's behind these bizarre murders.

    Very interesting and underrated vampire blaxplotation thriller from writer-director-producer-star James Bond III. What works in this movie is a good storyline with some sex and violence around, the movie was released by the popular independent studio known as "Troma" in theaters and has gained a small cult following. The acting is very good especially the writing on the dialog, there's also some great cinematography that captures the mood and feel of this flick.

    If your into vampire flicks or supernatural horror movies then i suggest you watch this one!

    Also recommended: "Vamp", "Dracula" (1931), "The Hunger", "Vampire Hunter D", "Basic Instinct", "Bram Stoker's Dracula", "Near Dark", "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"( Movie and Show), "The Forsaken", "Innocent Blood", "Blackula", "Tales from The Hood", "Fright Night 1 & 2", "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust", "Blood The Last Vampire", "Blade Trilogy", "American Werewolf in London", "The Lost Boys", "Daughters of Darkness", "John Carpenter's Vampires", "From Dusk Till Dawn", "Salem's Lot" ( 1979 and 2004), "Once Bitten", "Lifeforce", "Demons", "Suspiria", "Interview with the vampire", "Queen of the Damned", "The Night Flier", "Evil Dead II", "Lair of the White Worm", and "Martin".
    sylvar-3

    Grade 'A' 'B' Movie!

    This is more than a, 'blaxplotation' film. It has deep, 'religious overtone's' Director Bond was attempting to make a point to that, 'male unsatisfied lust'! Doing this by way of a scary demon temptress called, 'Temptation'! It was meant to scare, and make you think. (Unfortunately a fixed film budget can only go so far when you're making a horror film which requires special effect's on the order of the, 'Exorcist'.) Mr. Bonds point was well taken here! I recommend the rental!
    9robert-259-28954

    I enjoyed this film very much.

    I give this film high marks in spite of its limitations, which are primarily budgetary only. I thought the casting was perfect, particularly in Kadeem Hardison (who's career I had thought should have been, by rights, much larger), and Cynthia Bond, who's feature turn as the succubus was terrific—both terrifying and seductive at the same time. There were references to this film being firmly in the genre of "blackspoitation," but again, given the obviously low budget and other factors, I thought they did a bang up job with what they had to work with. Compared to say, "Vampire In Brooklyn," a big budget studio film starring Eddie Murphy, this little film succeeded in every important way, and in comparison fared so much better for all the reasons you watch a movie in the first place, two hours of solid entertainment. In this regard, I think the film succeeds quite well—funny, scary, hip and funky, with a strong undercurrent of the mystery of faith. I loved it.
    Michael_Pilkington

    Don't be tempted to see this loser!

    There's nothing great about Troma's "blaxploitation" horror outing about a seductive vamp preying on men in New York. Ernest Dickerson's ("Jungle Fever," "Do the Right Thing") cinematography and Samuel L. Jackson's supporting performance as a priest are just some of the assets going for this trash, but nothing more. Personally, I prefer Pam Grier's 70s films over this loser. My evaluation: * out of ****.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      House where film was shot was owned by Laurence Fishburne who was married to Producer Hanna Moss.
    • Goofs
      You can see the strings on the stockings when lady is magically putting them on her leg.
    • Quotes

      Bartender #1: Hey, baby, we had a good time - you can get an abortion now.

    • Connections
      Featured in Rear Window: Dracula: The Undiscovered Country (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      All Over You
      Performed by Freddie Jackson

      Written by Michael Day, Thom Bishop, Rocky Maffit

      Produced by Michael Day for Michael Day Productions & Joel Kipnis for East Hill Productions

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    FAQ18

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 31, 1991 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Temptation
    • Filming locations
      • Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Bonded Filmworks
      • Orpheus Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,218,579
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $54,582
      • May 13, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,218,579
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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