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American Satan (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

American Satan (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 111 min · English
Echo score 60
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Directed by
Ash Avildsen
Starring
Malcolm McDowell, Bill Duke, Denise Richards, Mark Boone Junior, Sebastian Bach, Drake Bell

A struggling rock band, comprised of musicians from both Europe and America, dreams of making it big on the Sunset Strip. While pursuing their ambitions, they encounter a mysterious and manipulative figure who preys on their desperation. This enigmatic presence offers them a dangerous opportunity, a Faustian bargain that promises fame and fortune but demands a steep price, forever altering their musical journey and testing the limits of their ambition.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like American Satan
  9. 9 Every angle
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5 main characters · contains spoilers

American Satan Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of American Satan (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Johnny Faust (John Bradley)

    Johnny is a passionate and conflicted lead vocalist of The Relentless, grappling with the allure of fame and his deep-seated values. His character experiences profound growth as he struggles with addiction, relationships, and the ramifications of his choices. Johnny embodies the quintessential rock star caught in a turbulent journey toward redemption.

    • 🎤 Lead
    • 🌟 Fame
    • 🥀 Redemption
  • Gretchen (Olivia Culpo)

    Gretchen is the emotional anchor for Johnny, representing love and stability amid his chaos. Her involvement in his life is marked by moments of support and heartache as she deals with the challenges of his fame and the impact it has on their relationship. Ultimately, Gretchen's strength is a key element of the narrative.

    • ❤️ Love
    • ⚖️ Support
    • 🚪 Heartbreak
  • Damien (Drake Bell)

    Damien portrays the antagonistic former bandmate whose past actions deeply affect Lily and contribute to the band’s turmoil. His character serves as a symbol of betrayal and the darker side of the music industry, ultimately leading to a tragic confrontation. This descent into conflict encapsulates the corruption that fame can bring.

    • ⚔️ Antagonist
    • 🎸 Betrayal
    • 🎶 Conflict
  • Lily (Fivel Stewart)

    Lily is a talented musician whose arrival brings both hope and deeper emotional complexities to the band. Her haunting past and connection with Johnny add layers to the narrative, showcasing vulnerability amidst the pursuit of fame. Lily's character progression reflects themes of resilience and the struggle for identity in a cutthroat environment.

    • 🎹 Talent
    • 🌪️ Emotional
    • 🔍 Struggle
  • Gabriel (Bill Duke)

    Gabriel is the archangel figure who offers Johnny guidance and a path toward redemption. Portrayed initially as a homeless man, his wisdom shapes Johnny's decisions and represents hope amid despair. Gabriel embodies the theme of morality, contrasting the seductive nature of fame with the importance of personal ethics.

    • 🕊️ Guidance
    • 🌈 Hope
    • ⚖️ Morality

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 13:08

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5 characters · 7 connections · contains spoilers

American Satan Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in American Satan: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
JFJohnny FaustJohn BradleyGGretchenOlivia CulpoDDamienDrake BellGGabrielBill DukeJMJohnny's mother

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 13:08

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Setting

Where and When Does American Satan Take Place?

The setting of American Satan (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The film traverses modern times, reflecting contemporary issues in the music industry, including the struggles of addiction and the cost of fame. It portrays the complexities of relationships amid the stresses of pursuing a career in music, particularly focusing on the highs and lows of a band striving for stardom.

Location

Los Angeles, Columbus, Kansas

Los Angeles serves as the vibrant backdrop where the band dreams of fame and fortune, known for its rich music culture and the allure of Hollywood. Columbus, Ohio, represents Johnny's modest beginnings and the life he contemplates leaving behind, filled with familial ties. Kansas becomes a site of chaos and confrontation, showcasing the darker side of their rock and roll lifestyle in a bar that turns violent.

  • 🌆 City
  • 🏡 Hometown
  • 🍻 Bar

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 13:08

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3 major themes

American Satan Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is American Satan (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Fame

    Fame is a central theme in *American Satan*, illustrating the seductive allure it holds for aspiring musicians. The path to success is depicted as fraught with peril, highlighting how the quest for recognition can lead to moral decay. The characters' experiences with fame reveal the thin line between glory and downfall.

  • Loss

    Loss permeates the narrative, both personally and relationally for Johnny, as his mother's illness and relationship struggles add depth to his character arc. The emotional toll of abandonment, addiction, and the consequences of life choices resonate deeply throughout the story. This theme culminates in tragic events that impact not only the band but their fans as well.

  • Temptation

    Temptation takes a sinister turn with the appearance of the Devil, representing the darker side of ambition. The band’s dealings with the offer of fame at a terrible price illustrate the moral dilemmas they face. This theme underscores the idea that every choice comes with consequences that can lead to one's undoing.

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 13:08

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Character & theme questions

American Satan Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about American Satan (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is American Satan set?

The movie primarily takes place in Los Angeles, where the band pursues their dreams on the Sunset Strip. The story also references Columbus, Ohio, as Johnny's hometown he considers leaving behind, and Kansas, where a violent confrontation occurs at a bar.

  • los angeles
  • sunset strip
  • setting
  • columbus ohio
  • locations
Q2

What time period is American Satan set in?

American Satan is set in modern contemporary times, reflecting the current music industry and its issues. The story addresses present-day struggles with addiction, the cost of fame, and relationships under the pressure of pursuing a music career.

  • modern
  • contemporary
  • time period
  • music industry
Q3

What are the main themes of American Satan?

The film explores three interconnected themes: Fame, depicting how the pursuit of recognition leads to moral decay; Loss, showing the personal and relational toll of abandonment and consequences; and Temptation, illustrated through a Faustian bargain with the devil that represents the darker side of ambition.

  • fame
  • loss
  • temptation
  • themes
  • faustian bargain
Q4

What does the Fame theme explore?

The Fame theme illustrates the seductive allure of success for aspiring musicians and depicts the perilous path to recognition. The narrative shows how the quest for stardom can lead to moral decay, revealing the thin line between glory and downfall.

  • fame
  • success
  • stardom
  • music industry
  • ambition
Q5

What does the Temptation theme explore?

The Temptation theme takes a sinister turn with the Devil's appearance, representing the darker side of ambition. The band's dealings with fame at a terrible price illustrate the moral dilemmas they face, underscoring that every choice comes with consequences that can lead to one's undoing.

  • temptation
  • devil
  • ambition
  • morality
  • consequences
Q6

What does the Loss theme explore?

The Loss theme permeates the narrative both personally and relationally for Johnny, as his mother's illness and relationship struggles add emotional depth. The theme encompasses abandonment, addiction, and the consequences of life choices, culminating in tragic events that impact the band and their fans.

  • loss
  • addiction
  • relationships
  • tragedy
  • consequences
Q7

Who is Johnny Faust?

Johnny Faust is the passionate and conflicted lead vocalist of The Relentless, grappling with the allure of fame versus his values. He experiences profound growth through struggles with addiction, relationships, and the ramifications of his choices, embodying the rock star caught in a turbulent journey toward redemption.

  • johnny faust
  • lead vocalist
  • protagonist
  • the relentless
  • redemption
Q8

Who is Gretchen and what role does she play?

Gretchen serves as the emotional anchor for Johnny, representing love and stability amid his chaos. She provides support while dealing with the challenges of his fame and its impact on their relationship, with her strength remaining a key element throughout the narrative.

  • gretchen
  • love interest
  • emotional anchor
  • relationships
Q9

Who is Damien and why is he important?

Damien is the antagonistic former bandmate whose past actions deeply affect Lily and contribute to the band's turmoil. He represents betrayal and the darker side of the music industry, with his descent into conflict illustrating the corruption that fame can bring.

  • damien
  • antagonist
  • former bandmate
  • betrayal
  • music industry
Q10

Who is Lily and what role does she play?

Lily is a talented musician whose arrival brings hope and deeper emotional complexity to the band. Her haunting past and connection with Johnny add layers to the narrative, showcasing vulnerability amidst the pursuit of fame while reflecting themes of resilience and identity struggle.

  • lily
  • musician
  • new member
  • resilience
  • identity
Q11

Who is Gabriel and what role does he play?

Gabriel appears as an archangel figure who offers Johnny guidance and a path toward redemption. Initially portrayed as a homeless man, his wisdom shapes Johnny's decisions and represents hope amid despair, embodying morality and contrasting the seductive nature of fame.

  • gabriel
  • archangel
  • mentor
  • redemption
  • morality
Q12

What does American Satan say about fame?

American Satan portrays fame as a dangerous double-edged sword that promises fulfillment but delivers destruction. The film suggests the music industry's pursuit of fame comes at a terrible moral cost, with success often requiring sacrifices that lead to personal downfall and broken relationships.

  • fame
  • music industry
  • success
  • corruption
  • message

Movie threads

More Movies Like American Satan, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes American Satan tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Faustian Deal Movies Like American Satan

Stories where ambition leads to a sinister deal with devastating consequences. If you liked the high-stakes bargain and moral collapse in American Satan, explore these movies about deals with the devil. Discover stories where ambition leads characters down a dark path of sacrifice, fame, and tragic consequences, testing their very souls.

  • dark
  • anxious
  • cynical
  • desperate
  • tragic
  • sinister
  • Tone: dark, cynical, tense
  • Pacing: fast, dramatic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a desperate protagonist or group facing a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. A charismatic but sinister figure offers a solution that promises instant gratification—fame, power, or talent—but demands an unspecified, ultimately soul-crushing price. The story then charts the thrilling ascent and the subsequent, painful unraveling as the true cost comes due.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared core plot device—the Faustian pact—and the resulting thematic exploration of ambition, corruption, and the heavy price of desire. They create a specific tension between the thrill of achieving one's dreams and the dread of the impending reckoning.

Rock and Roll Tragedy Movies Similar to American Satan

High-octane stories of artistic ambition fueled by hedonism and tragedy. Fans of the chaotic rock and roll downfall in American Satan will find similar stories here. These movies capture the intense, fast-paced world of music, fame, and hedonism, leading to addiction, tragedy, and a strained path to bittersweet redemption.

  • chaotic
  • hedonistic
  • desperate
  • somber
  • triumphant
  • gritty
  • Tone: dark, chaotic, somber
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow artists or bands on their turbulent journey to stardom. The narrative structure is often a whirlwind of touring, parties, and creative highs, which is sharply contrasted with the personal toll of addiction, betrayal, and loss. The climax often involves a tragic event that forces a confrontation with the empty cost of fame.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their specific setting—the hedonistic underbelly of the music industry—and a shared emotional palette of chaotic energy, desperate ambition, and somber tragedy. They offer a visceral, often critical look at the price of artistic success.

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Every angle

American Satan (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about American Satan in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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