Temptress

Kim Delaney is pretty hot, and that's about it for this derivative and stupid "erotic thriller", which concludes with some mystical mumbo-jumbo that has to be heard to be believed ("if you surrender to the evil spirit, it will be kind and gentle to you"). Don't waste your time with this time-waster, unless you wanna see what it looks like when a grown man tries (unsuccessfully) to act as if he's "drowning". (*1/2)

The photographer Karin Swann (Kim Delaney) returns to her studio, after a spiritual journey in India. While unpacking her shopping, she finds a statue of the Kali goddess that she has not recollection of buying. She spends the night with her boyfriend Matt Christianson (Chris Sarandon) and on the next morning, she meets her best friend Allison Mackie (Dee Wallace). Karin has visions, nightmares and is sexually insatiable and changes her behavior. She decides to give a party to show the pictures she took in India, and the Indian expert Dr. Samudaya (Ben Cross) advises that she is in danger. Karin has an erotic dance with Allison's fiancé Nick (Corbin Bernsen) and Allison decides to leave the party with Nick, but he tragically dies in the elevator well. There is another tragic death later and Allison convinces Karin to go to Dr. Phyllis Evergreen (Jessica Walter) to seek help. The psychiatrist hypnotizes Karin and learns that while in the Ashram, Karin has been chosen by Naresh (Katrina McNeal), who is the keeper of the gate, to reincarnate Kali. Dr. Evergreen warns Matt and he decides to seek out Dr. Samudaya to learn what to do.

"Temptress" is an underrated movie despite the deceptive conclusion. The fight between Shiva and Kali deserved a better ending. The use of few locations is not a problem since the storyline and the screenplay are great. The cast is excellent, with names such as Chris Sarandon, Dee Wallace, Ben Cross and Corbin Bernsen. However, the gorgeous Kim Delaney shines when possessed by the evil Kali, the goddess of sex, desire, death and destruction. Unfortunately this film was not released on DVD in Brazil. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Tentação Mortal' ("Mortal Temptation")

This is a story of a woman who is drawn into the worship of the great Hindu Goddess Kali. During a trip to India, she is introduced to the dark Goddess, and is baptized in a sacrificial ritual. She brings back to the states, the ultimate powers of Kali. She and her lover experience the "Shiva/Kali" relationship....the Love, the Dance, and the Destruction of those who dare to threaten her by any means.

*You really must know something about this beautiful Goddess before watching this movie ~with a critical eye~. Don't assume that because it is produced by Playboy that it is porn, smut, or anything related. There is a message in the movie that perhaps only those who know Kali will appreciate and recognize.

Maybe people can be afraid (or excited) right from the start as they see Playboy production but this movie offers much than expected ! Sure Kim shows (a little of) her beautiful skin (which can be a surprise as it's not her choice of career) but she is totally believable as the Femme Fatale and it's good to see her bad! However it's in the visual setting and its photography that the movie really surprises : nearly all the movie happens in Kim's big loft / studio and this environment is made mysterious and enchanted : orange light, saturated contrast, creepy darkness… It reminds me a bit of the apartments in « blade runner » and that's not easy to get so far ! In addition, i found the Indian lore depicted with taste so even if the story is not really original, the movie is really well delivered and i really didn't expect so much !