Faust: Love of the Damned

Faust: Love of the Damned is a 2000 horror-fantasy film directed by Brian Yuzna, based on a graphic novel of the same name by Tim Vigil and David Quinn. It tells the story of John Jaspers (Mark Frost), a tormented artist who enters into a pact with the demonic Mephistopheles (Andrew Divoff) in order to avenge the death of his girlfriend, Blue (Jennifer Rope), and gain supernatural powers.

The film opens with an intense sequence in which Blue is brutally murdered by a gang of thugs while John watches helplessly. Grief-stricken and consumed by rage, John attempts to take revenge on his own, but he is beaten and left for dead. As he lies dying in the alley, Mephistopheles appears to him and offers him a deal: in exchange for his soul, he will bring John back to life and give him the power to avenge Blue's death.

John agrees to the bargain, and soon finds himself transformed into a superhuman being with incredible strength, speed, and agility. He also gains the ability to shape-shift, sprout wings, and shoot deadly energy blasts from his hands. Mephistopheles becomes his mentor and guide, teaching him how to harness his new powers and use them to destroy his enemies.

As John embarks on his quest for revenge, he encounters a mysterious woman named Jade De Camp (Isabel Brook) who seems to know more about his situation than she lets on. She warns him that Mephistopheles is not to be trusted, and that he is playing a dangerous game with his own soul. Despite her warnings, John becomes increasingly obsessed with his mission, and starts to lose touch with his humanity.

The rest of the movie is a dark and twisted tale of supernatural horror, as John battles a series of increasingly bizarre and grotesque villains, including a giant spider-woman, a monstrous vampire, and a demonic snake-man. Along the way, he discovers shocking truths about his own identity and the true nature of his pact with Mephistopheles.

Faust: Love of the Damned is a visually stunning film, with a vivid color palette and some truly disturbing creature designs. The action scenes are choreographed with great energy and style, making use of wire-fu and other acrobatic techniques to create a sense of otherworldly grace and power.

The performances are solid throughout, with Mark Frost bringing a brooding intensity to his role as John, and Andrew Divoff giving a suitably diabolical turn as Mephistopheles. Isabel Brook provides a welcome touch of humanity as Jade, and Jennifer Rope is haunting in her brief but powerful appearances as Blue.

Despite its strengths, however, Faust: Love of the Damned is not a movie for everyone. Its extreme violence, sexual content, and general tone of nihilistic despair make it a challenging and polarizing experience. Some viewers will find it exhilarating and visionary, while others will find it repellent and offensive.

In the end, Faust: Love of the Damned is a film that demands to be reckoned with, regardless of one's personal tastes. It is a bold and unflinching exploration of the darker corners of the human psyche, and a testament to the enduring power of the Faustian myth. For those who can handle its disturbing imagery and themes, it is a haunting and unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness.