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| Images Courtesy of Axis Films International. |
Gregory Dark's neo-noir potboiler, Sins of the Night
is a textbook erotic thriller, completely at home in the Skinemax comfort
zone. What allows this particular film to stand apart is in how it
perfectly emulates a noir thriller while also exploring themes of misguided
masculine domination. Dark's style is notoriously anything but subtle,
however his interest in showcasing different taboo topics by way of lurid
mysteries is what makes his filmography so memorable. Featuring a sleazy lead
performance, playful homage tropes, and a twist laden script, this is yet
another solid genre entry by Dark.
An ex-con insurance investigator is tasked by his corrupt boss to find a missing woman with a past. As Jack Nietzsche (this is not a typo) delves further and further into the underworld, he is drawn into a not so complex web of sex, violence, and betrayal. Russel's Lavalle's script reflects an obvious understanding of the genre, and while the dialogue is expectedly cheesy, the narrative delves into dark themes that are touchstones of noir. Corporate corruption and greed, sex as a weapon and a mechanism of control, and at the center of a twisting web of deceit: an ex-con looking to play every possible angle. Nick Cassavetes (another erotic thriller stalwart) stars as Nietzsche, and it is clear from the instant he appears that he understood not only his role, but the purpose of the film, leaning heavily into every single cliche imaginable.
The supporting cast is iconic. 80's action star Miles O'Keefe has a wicked turn as a malicious mob boss, while film legend Richard Rountree has a role as a wisdom dispensing bartender and Nietzsche’s confidant. Rounding out the cast is Miss America winner Deborah Shelton, known for her role in De Palma's Body Double. Following that film, Shelton went on to do a trio of Erotic Thrillers, with Sins being the first. Her performance is the strongest element of the film, leading to one of the most surprising reveals within this subgenre and her chemistry with Cassavetes and other cast members is one of the most memorable aspects of the entire production.
Now available for digital rental, Sins of the Night
is a middle of the road thriller that is elevated by Shelton's fantastic
performance and Dark's commitment and obvious love for noir storytelling.
While the steamy scenes are tamer than some of his other productions, the
overall package is a grimy mystery oozing with 90's direct to DVD
panache.
--Kyle Jonathan