Beware the GODDESS OF LOVE

Starring Alexis Kendra, Woody Naismith, Elizabeth Sandy, Monda Scott. Directed by Jon Knautz. (2015/93 min). 

AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY FROM 
MPI HOME VIDEO

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

Maybe you've been there...in a relationship with someone and, for one reason of another, the luster wears off. It's nothing they've necessarily done wrong, but it's time to move on...and that's when they suddenly let their crazy flag fly. Well, suddenly to you, anyway. 

If you can relate, look on the bright side: At least that kooky companion wasn't a stripper named Venus, otherwise you probably wouldn't be alive to read this.

Playing like Fatal Attraction from the perspective of Alex Forrest, Goddess of Love gives us a main character, Venus (Alexis Kendra), who's already a few cans short of a six-pack when we meet her. Living alone in her apartment, she practices ballet and body art while making ends meet as a stripper. Venus is also paranoid, prone to bouts of depression & rage and hallucinates pretty regularly, not helped by the booze and weed she ingests. Still, she manages to keep up a facade of sanity around others.

Then she meets Brian (Woody Naismith), a photographer whose wife recently committed suicide. The two commence a steamy relationship, which Venus assumes is perfect until she suspects he's cheating on her with Christine (Elizabeth Sandy), his wife's best friend. Then Brian informs her he still hasn't gotten over his wife's death and decides to break up with her, exacerbating Venus' already loose grip on reality.

In addition to being sexy and seductive, Alexis Kendra can make fart noises with those armpits.

Goddess of Love is more of a psychological thriller than the horror film it's being promoted as (though there are a few horrific moments). It also an interesting spin on a familiar tale, being that it's told completely from Venus' point of view. Right up until the end, we're never certain if what we're seeing is real or a product of her tumultuous mind.

Much of the credit must go to Alexis Kendra, who not only stars as Venus, but co-wrote and produced the film. She turns in a fearless performance, but wisely resists the inherent temptation to overplay the role. By choosing the subtle approach, she creates a great deal of slow-burning tension, making the moments she does turn violent more potent. Considering she's onscreen nearly the entire time, she keeps the character interesting. It also helps that Alexis herself is pretty damned easy on the eyes.

Quirky, ambitious and well made on a limited budget, Goddess of Love is a tidy little thriller. Skillfully balancing suspense, eroticism and occasional bursts of jarring violence, the film is worth checking out.

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS