Film

Def by Temptation

Name: Def by Temptation
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Romance
Released: 1990
Cast: James Bond III, Kadeem Hardison, Bill Nunn, Samuel L. Jackson, Minnie Gentry

A supernatural horror-thriller from 1990 about a seductive succubus stalking Black men in New York City. Def by Temptation blends genuine scares with romantic tension and social commentary, anchored by strong performances and a confident directorial vision. It's a rare film that treats its genre seriously while celebrating its characters' humanity.

TMDb rating

2.4

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you enjoy low-budget horror that leans into sly, sensual humor and a New York street-level sense of place, where a supernatural menace is treated with more swagger than dread.

Skip it if you want a tightly controlled scare machine; this one is loose, talky and uneven, with its tone swinging between genuine menace and broad comic bluster.

What it asks of you: A brisk ninety-five minutes, with the frights arriving in bursts between long stretches of talk, banter and flirtation, so settle in for the chatter.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

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The Wailing2016

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Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Def by Temptation

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

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The Serpent and the Rainbow1988

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Nightbreed1990

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Ganja & Hess1973

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Blade1998

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The Invisibles2017

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Monsturd2003

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But It is literally about a turd monster. The effects are terrible by design. If you need production value and coherent plotting, this will offend rather than entertain.