Themes: Demonic Possession, Devil Worship, Serial Killers
Main Cast: Lou Diamond Phillips, Tracy Griffith, Jeff Kober, Mykelti Williamson, Elizabeth Arlen
Release Year: 1989
Country: US
Run Time: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
This lackluster attempt at blending equal parts action movie and supernatural thriller ends up sacrificing the merits of both genres. The plot finds baby-faced homicide detective Logan (Lou Diamond Phillips) on the trail of "Pentagram Killer" Patrick Channing (Jeff Kober), negligibly assisted by lots of occult mumbo-jumbo espoused by various doomsaying members of the Catholic Church. Channing is eventually captured and executed, but this turns out to be a big mistake: one of the Satanic powers Channing managed to acquire through ritual sacrifice is the power to transfer his soul into other living bodies, allowing him to roam about incognito and continue his killing spree. There is little overt horror on display, as we usually see only the aftermath of Channing's evil deeds; there is scarcely enough mystery to propel the police-procedural elements either. Worse, the producers apparently decided to toss in a romantic subplot involving Phillips and psychic Tracy Griffith to keep things interesting, but fail to sustain credibility even in this department. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
Dennis Lipscomb - Commander Perkins; Carmen Argenziano - Lieutenant Grimes; Julianna McCarthy - Grandma; Nada Despotovich - Bag Lady; Susan Giosa - Carmen; Clayton Landey - Mazza; Hansford Rowe - Father Brian; Philip Abbott - Cardinal; David Gale - Monsignor; J. Patrick McNamara - Priest; Grand L. Bush - Resevoir Worker; Melanie Shatner - Shopgirl; Andrew Amador - Reporter #1; Mark Bringelson - Driver in Alley; Mitch Carter - Uniform Cop #1; Robert Colaizzi - Driver; William Fair - Detective #2; Gokul - Street Vendor; Ron J. Goodman - Bum in Hotel; Todd Jeffries - Cop; David Katims - Man In Parking Structure; Tiiu Leek - Reporter; Brian Libby - Detective; Lynne Marta - Nun; Paula McClure - Reporter #2; Michael McNab - Uniform; Jeff Mooring - Uniform Cop; Bill Moseley - Bartender; Charles Raymond - Gang Member #1; Lisa Specht - Anchorwoman; R. David Stephens - Desk Clerk; Oz Tortora - Antonio; Dan Tullis, Jr. - Cop at Arrest; Michael Wise - Cop at Tenement; Mindy Marin; David J. Partington - Detective; Scott Lawrence - Gang Member
Credit
Pat Tagliaferro - Art Director, Marilyn Vance - Associate Producer, Tim D'Arcy - Costume Designer, Robert Resnikoff - Director, Michael Bloecher - Editor, Stewart Copeland - Composer (Music Score), Camille Calvet - Makeup, Sheri Short - Makeup, Deborah Zoller - Makeup, Joseph T. Garrity - Production Designer, Theo Van de Sande - Cinematographer, Robert W. Cort - Producer, Ted Field - Producer, Melinda Jason - Producer, David Madden - Producer, Wendy Guidery - Set Designer, Bill Rea - Set Designer, Ed French - Special Effects, John Moio - Stunts, Robert Resnikoff - Screenwriter
The sadistic serial killer Patrick Channing (played by Jeff Kober), known by most as the Pentagram Killer, is at large in Los Angeles, killing innocent people as a sacrifice to Satan. His specific MO is engraving a pentagram symbol into the flesh of his victims before killing them.
Detective Russell Logan (played by Lou Diamond Phillips) is determined to bring the Pentagram Killer to justice. He receives an anonymous phone call from a psychic called Tess Seaton (played by Tracy Griffith) who can "feel" where he's going to strike next. Taking her word as correct, Logan goes on a stakeout and manages to track down Channing's lair. Logan manages to capture Channing, but not before taking a nasty stab wound to the stomach.
Logan manages to recover from his stomachinjury and Channing is given the death penalty by the authorities and is killed in a gas chamber. However, since Channing is a worshipper of Satan, Satan grants Channing The First Power -- resurrection. Channing returns from beyond the grave and is able to appear or disappear at will, as well as possess others. His highest priority—get his revenge on Russell Logan.
