Kiss of the Damned (2012)

The vampire Djuna resists the advances of Paolo, but soon gives in to their passion. When her trouble-making sister unexpectedly comes to visit, Djuna's love is threatened, and the whole vampire community becomes endangered.

Director:

Xan Cassavetes

Writer:

Xan Cassavetes

Stars:

Joséphine de La Baume, Roxane Mesquida, Milo Ventimiglia

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joséphine de La Baume	...	Djuna
Roxane Mesquida	...	Mimi
Milo Ventimiglia	...	Paolo
Caitlin Keats	...	Rebecca
Anna Mouglalis	...	Xenia
Ashley Munns	...	Cashier
Michael Rapaport	...	Ben
Ching Valdes-Aran	...	Irene
Dana O'Keefe	...	Dead College Student
Juan Mateo Mazara	...	Foreman
Jon Newport	...	Club Friend
Luis Gispert	...	Omar
Jefferson Bjoraker	...	Jefferson
Stephen Winter	...	Winter
Jay Brannan	...	Hans

Storyline

In the countryside near to New York, Djuna lives alone with her housemaid Irene in a manor that belongs to her friend Xenia. When she meets the screenwriter Paolo at a video rental store, they immediately fall in love with each other. However, Djuna discloses to Paolo that she is a vampire and while making love, she turns him into one. Paolo moves to her house and they happily live together. Out of the blue, her wicked and troublemaker sister Mimi appears to stay for a week with them, turning their lives upside-down.

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | literary agent | vampire society | sister sister relationship | threesome | 

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Taglines:

Her Love Will Never Die.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for bloody violence, strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Az elátkozottak csókja

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,723, 5 May 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$14,325, 2 June 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bersin Pictures,Deerjen Films,Venture Forth

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Xan Cassavetes was inspired by vampire gothic horror movies from the 70s to do this film.

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Connections

Features Indiscretion of an American Wife (1953)

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Soundtracks

Le Ciel Est Doux
Written by Areski Belkacem
Performed by Brigitte Fontaine

User Reviews

An excessively low IMDb rating.

At the time that I am writing this review, this movie has an abysmal rating on IMDb (less than five stars).

If IMDb were a room full of people with exceptional taste, I guess I would understand why. The movie is thoroughly derivative; it tries a little too hard. I get the feeling that it's supposed to be a 'Hunger' for the modern era, moody and atmospheric-- they've even traded the classical and operatic soundtrack for haze-scene and low key beats looped with synth harpsichord melodies -- and yes, sometimes it falls a bit short and comes off amateurish.

But IMDb is not a room full of people with taste, so I don't get it. There so many movies on this site with absolutely no redeeming value that have ridiculously high ratings. This movie, while not art, did try; it never came off heavy handed, overall it was approachable, and entertaining. I keep asking myself what about it is causing people to react so negatively; the only thing I can figure is that perhaps the vampire crowd are portrayed as too cultured or something, I don't know.

Ultimately I guess I'm writing this review for people like me, those who put a lot (perhaps too much) stock in IMDb ratings. As a fan of films like The Hunger and the whole 'artsy, excessively classy but tortured immortal' cliché I can honestly tell you that I didn't think this film was an utter waste of time (at least no more so than many other movies). It was a perfectly fine hour and a half spent on a rainy afternoon.

I find its current rating a bit unfair.