American Satan

OK so this won't apply to everyone but if you grew up in a certain kind of Evangelical Christianity - the type where every once in a while a "cool" speaker with a casual outfit and an allegedly dark past would come tell you about how Satan lurks in all the things you love - then this movie will seem weirdly familiar. From watching the trailer I expected a rock 'n roll horror movie, what I got was... something else entirely...

Firstly, this is not a horror movie, not even a little bit (there is some decent to good rock in it though). It's basically a sermon about the perils of moral Rock 'n Roll decadence, although much like most of those sermons it does a way better job of making sex, drugs & rock 'n roll seem awesome than in warning you against it.

I'm not using allusions to sermons lightly here. The movie both starts and ends with the same kind of out of context, industry insider quotes to make it seem like the devil is real, runs music and everyone involved knows it. Furthermore the movie has continual infodumps on the illuminati and how Satan supposedly controls everything from rock to hip-hop to Apple Computers. But unlike a sermon, there's not actually a point to any of this. Despite heavy handed character names like "Johnny FAUST", there never seem to be real stakes. Selling out to Satan is... sorta bad maybe? But maybe also no big deal? And maybe nothing matters?

I would say this is like a Chick Tract with more graphic nudity and drug use but honestly a Chick tract has way more punch to it!

So well, i do not tend to write reviews on movies often. but i just figured i HAD TO for this one. not because it knocked me off my feet, but because after watching it i went on here and saw all these really bad reviews. i had been entertained well for nearly two hours, i got more than i expected, considering "drama, music, thriller" are the lead tags on it, yet i would rather like to see it as a dark comedy about the industry and thus all the cliches and stereotypes explain themselves. so, if you can make fun of yourself or take serious matters with a light heart, go ahead and watch. it got plenty of the "sex, drugs and rock n roll" woven into a story that is not half as bad as other reviewers try to make you think

So as I am watching this movie I found my self asking what would I do if was in this situation. And honestly that is what I look for when I watch anything from Movies to TV Shows. I want to put myself in that situation. Was the movie so good that it should be put up for awards. No. The writing was weak in some areas and lacked in others. Some of the actors and actresses seemed to just be there for the check and not really into their roles. With all this bad why should you watch this movie? The sound track mostly honestly. If you are a metal head or rocker you are going to possibly enjoy this flick. It keeps this film going. The lows are when the music is not going and you are not dove straight into this environment that is their depiction of hard rocker life style. I give this a 5 because its not like I wouldn't watch this at all. It is average and this should be a straight to blueray/dvd movie.

I don't usually write reviews for films on here but I had to for this one, purely to counter balance the many negative reviews! Is the movie perfect, no, but it's actually pretty good if you like a little more 'indie' films and like alternative music. This movie isn't a 'supernatural' film but more like a thriller message about the dark side of the 'rock and roll music industry' and how wanting fame has it's costs on yourself and those around you.

I also thought the inexperienced actors were better actors and more convincing than the 'veterans'. I hadn't heard of Andy Biersack or Ben Bruce before this but for musicians to act they did a really good job and were very watchable, funny and convincing. The soundtrack is also very good plus 'The Relentless' bands music too has been on repeat since (Remington Leith's voice is perfect for Johnny Faust').

Overall it's not a bad movie, it's just more a film you'd stream at home than go and see at the movie theatre. I actually hope there is a follow up/TV series that had been suggested as I'd definitely watch it.

So if you're willing to not take yourself and this movie too seriously then I'd recommend watching it

I've never rated a movie on IMDB but I feel obligated like so many others on here to balance the bad reviews. I don't know why they didn't like it. I loved it -I am disappointed I'll never be able to watch it for the first time again.

As an debut for so many of the cast and crew including the director/writer (first feature length drama) and Jesse Sullivan, who has basically NO acting experience, and two musicians (also no experience) it was well enough acted and well enough written to tell a great story.

There were revelations at just the right time and the last gimmick at the end was enough to make you say "ooooooooo!!!" to your movie watching partner next to you as the screen goes black and leads to credits.

To everyone saying it glorifies sex and drugs, (did you finish the movie?) I say when you make a deal with the devil where do you stop? Can you stop? Its not saying that drugs and groupie sex is the height of their career it's saying that they're getting caught up, as so many do. How many great artists have left us too soon due to heroin and other drug induced deaths?

This movie does well to be gritty and even makes you uncomfortable sometimes and it SHOULD! The content is raw and, from the perspective of a commoner with no knowledge of fame or (mis)fortune, real.

Loved it. Give it a shot. Have an open mind. If you like gritty independent stuff, you should like it!