Plot: Joel (Alan Grant) is a sculptor by trade and to create his artworks in peace, he has a rural refuge away from the world. In his remote studio, he can focus on the process and not be interrupted. As his studio doesn’t have even a phone, Joel is visited by his business manager often and brought up to date on things. But even without the distractions, his latest project has been slowed somewhat. A woman he recently enjoyed some intimate affection with has been murdered and Joel has seen a strange man around, as if this person was stalking him. The police have some answers at least, as the man is an old classmate of Joel’s, Ed (Frank McGill). It seems Ed has a fascination with the occult and Satanic rituals, while he views Joel as being the devil. As time passes and more strange events unfolds, it looks as if Ed might soon come after Joel himself. What dark secrets await in this occult showdown?

Entertainment Value: This is one those beautiful shot on video vanity projects, where one person’s unfettered vision is brought to life. The results are often overindulgent and offbeat, with Death by Love as no exception. The narrative in this one is about a sculptor who romances a chain of ladies who later turn up dead, while a devil worshiper from his past stalks around. Alan Grant was the driving force behind this, serving as producer, writer, director, and of course, lead performer. I don’t know if sex scenes with hot chicks motivated this movie, but that’s what we have a lot of. No woman in this movie can resist Grant and even his elderly manager tries to strip down during a shoulder massage, only to look crushed when Grant doesn’t take the bait. This also has the most casually dressed police officers around, a pretty wild twist, and of course, end credits that showcase a women’s racquetball match. I admit the pace is slow at times and this isn’t as flashy as some of its SOV brethren, but Death by Love is a weird movie that has a lot of appeal to fans of the space. I’d recommend it mostly SOV horror/cult devotees, but anyone looking for offbeat cinema should give it a chance.

While we never get to see Joel’s matriarchal manager shed her clothes, there’s still some good nakedness in this one. Several sex scenes unfold and we’re gifted breasts and bare asses, with a little full frontal as well. This isn’t quick topless shots either, as Grant lingers in these scenes, probably because he’s naked with hot chicks. Grant also shows off his naked body, but sadly for the ladies, he just reveals his ass. On the blood side, not much red stuff aside from one moderate gun shot wound. We do see some passable makeup effects though, which are fun. In a shocking turn of events, the dialogue here isn’t nearly as outlandish as expected. That means its more grounded than I thought, which is good for some folks, but I love the crazy lines. A few still trickle in and the performances do punch up even the grounded lines, but if you’re hoping for wild, incoherent dialogue, this isn’t that. Death by Love does earn some insanity points though, with a baffling plot line that makes no sense, Grant sleeping with every woman in sight, the humorous performances, and the oddball final credits sequence. The movie somehow stays way more reined in than you might think, however.

Nudity: 5/10

Blood: 1/10

Dialogue: 2/10

Overall Insanity: 2/10

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