Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

American Satan (2017) movie poster

Timeline

American Satan (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 111 min · English
Echo score 60
Loading streaming availability…
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 (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like American Satan
  6. 6 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

15 events in order · contains spoilers

American Satan Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of American Satan (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. The Band's Formation

    The Relentless, a diverse rock band, forms in pursuit of fame and fortune. Members from both England and the US come together in the vibrant atmosphere of Los Angeles, showcasing their unique styles and backgrounds.

    Where
    Los Angeles
  2. Johnny's Dilemma

    Johnny Faust, the charismatic vocalist, faces a critical choice between his modest life in Columbus, Ohio or the glamorous promises of stardom. His struggles are compounded by his deep attachments to his mother and girlfriend, Gretchen, who both represent his past and the life he’s risking.

    Where
    Columbus, Ohio
  3. Introducing Lily

    During auditions for a new bassist, the band encounters Lily, an exceptionally talented musician. Her eagerness to join The Relentless hints at new dynamics forming within the group, igniting excitement for their musical journey.

  4. The Homeless Man's Advice

    A pivotal moment occurs when Johnny meets a homeless man who offers sage wisdom about trusting intuition over perception. This conversation becomes significant as it foreshadows the dire choices that lie ahead for Johnny and the band.

  5. The Dark Proposition

    Confronted by an enigmatic figure representing evil, Johnny and the band are faced with a terrifying proposition that promises fame at the cost of a human sacrifice. This unsettling choice pits their ambitions against their moral beliefs.

  6. Lily's Haunting Past

    As tensions rise within the band, Lily reveals her painful history involving cruelty from her former bandmate, Damien. This revelation deepens her connection with Johnny and introduces further complexity to their relationship.

  7. Family Tragedy

    Johnny receives heartbreaking news regarding his mother’s battle with breast cancer, which weighs heavily on him. This revelation exacerbates his emotional struggles as he grapples with fame and his familial obligations.

  8. Confrontation with Damien

    A violent confrontation between Johnny and Damien leads to a shocking climax where Johnny’s indecision results in Damien’s tragic fate. This event marks a turning point where the weight of their choices becomes increasingly apparent among the band.

  9. The Nationwide Tour

    With their album *American Satan* released and a record deal secured, The Relentless embarks on a nationwide tour. However, the tour quickly spirals into chaos following a violent bar altercation in Kansas, further tarnishing their reputation.

    Where
    Kansas
  10. Struggles with Addiction

    Amidst the pressures of fame and strain from long-distance relationships, Johnny turns to substance abuse. As the group falters, his friends like Ricky succumb to addiction, leading to catastrophic consequences for everyone involved.

  11. Heartbreak and Relationships

    As the chaos unfolds, Gretchen decides to end her relationship with Johnny due to his self-destructive behavior. This heartbreak drives Johnny further into heroin and complicates his relationship with Lily, straining the band's unity.

  12. The Return of the Homeless Man

    Just when Johnny thinks he has hit rock bottom, the homeless man reappears, serving as a startling reminder of the choices he has made. This prompts Johnny to seek redemption, leading him to rehab as he tries to reclaim his life.

  13. Johnny's Mother's Remission

    In a surprising turn of events, Johnny’s mother responds positively to breast cancer treatment and goes into remission. This miracle provides Johnny with a glimmer of hope amid his battles with addiction and grief.

  14. The Dark Music Festival

    During a performance at a music festival, the band faces the ominous demand from the Devil for a human sacrifice. This tension culminates in a dramatic confrontation, where Johnny must confront the very essence of evil in a bid to save himself and the band.

  15. Johnny's Path to Redemption

    Implicated in the climax with law enforcement after confronting the Devil, Johnny finds himself in prison. With the help of Gretchen and Damien’s father, Johnny gets released on a technicality, setting him on a path to confront the consequences of his actions.

Last updated: November 21, 2024 at 11:56

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

American Satan Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of American Satan (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does The Relentless accept the Devil's deal?

The band accepts the Devil's bargain because they're desperate for fame after struggling in Los Angeles. The mysterious figure approaches them after Johnny meets a homeless man who tells him to trust his intuition over perception. The Devil promises them immediate fame and success on the Sunset Strip, but demands a human sacrifice as payment. Their desperation and ambition override their moral objections, setting in motion the tragic events that follow.

Foreshadowing: The homeless man's advice about trusting intuition foreshadows the moral choices Johnny will face.

  • faustian bargain
  • devil deal
  • human sacrifice
  • fame
  • the relentless
Q2

Who is the homeless man that appears throughout the movie?

The homeless man is revealed to be Gabriel, the archangel. He appears at key moments to guide Johnny, first offering wisdom about intuition before the Devil's proposition, then reappearing when Johnny hits rock bottom to prompt his redemption, and finally visiting him in prison to help secure his release. Gabriel was testing Johnny's moral compass throughout his journey.

Foreshadowing: The homeless man's cryptic advice about intuition versus perception hints at his divine nature and purpose.

  • homeless man
  • gabriel
  • archangel
  • angel
  • supernatural
Q3

How does Damien die in the fire?

During a confrontation with Damien, who had been cruel to Lily in her past, Johnny and the band decide to abandon their former bandmate. When Johnny hesitates to help Damien escape the burning building, Damien attempts to flee on his own but doesn't make it out alive. Johnny's indecision and the band's choice to leave him result in Damien tragically dying in the inferno.

Foreshadowing: Lily's revelation about Damien's cruelty toward her establishes the conflict that leads to this confrontation.

  • damien
  • fire
  • death
  • burning building
  • lily
Q4

What happens at the Kansas bar and why does it matter?

During their nationwide tour, The Relentless gets into a violent altercation at a bar in Kansas. Johnny is arrested following the fight, though he is eventually acquitted. This incident transforms the band's image, they become perceived as harbingers of chaos, which emboldens their fans and leads to tragic consequences. The event marks a turning point where their reputation for danger begins spiral失控.

  • kansas
  • bar fight
  • arrest
  • tour
  • violence
Q5

What happens to Ricky from the band?

Ricky, one of The Relentless's members, succumbs to a cocaine overdose. His death occurs as the band falls apart under the pressures of fame, long-distance relationships, and Johnny's descent into substance abuse. Ricky's tragic fate represents one of the major casualties of the band's Faustian bargain.

  • ricky
  • overdose
  • cocaine
  • death
  • band member
Q6

Why does Gretchen leave Johnny?

Gretchen ends her relationship with Johnny because of his self-destructive behavior and descent into addiction. As Johnny turns to heroin and becomes increasingly consumed by fame, his treatment of her deteriorates. Her departure compounds Johnny's downward spiral, pushing him further into substance abuse and into Lily's arms.

Foreshadowing: The strain of Johnny's long-distance relationship with Gretchen is established early, setting up this eventual breakup.

  • gretchen
  • breakup
  • relationship
  • addiction
  • johnny
Q7

What happens at the music festival when the Devil appears?

During a performance at a music festival, the Devil appears in an ominous guise and demands a human sacrifice from the band. At this critical moment, Lily makes a surprise return, and the Devil manifests as Johnny's mother's new partner. Johnny confronts the Devil, first pointing the gun at himself before redirecting it toward the evil entity, effectively ending its influence. This dramatic confrontation represents Johnny's ultimate moral choice.

  • music festival
  • devil
  • sacrifice
  • confrontation
  • lily
Q8

How does Johnny get released from prison?

After Johnny is arrested for pointing the gun at authorities during the Devil confrontation, he is visited in prison by Gabriel (the homeless man/archangel) and Gretchen, who still has feelings for him. Gretchen, working with Damien's father, an experienced lawyer, secures Johnny's release on a technicality. This allows Johnny to confront the consequences of his actions and begin his path to redemption.

  • prison
  • release
  • gabriel
  • gretchen
  • legal
Q9

Does Johnny's mother survive cancer?

Yes, Johnny's mother responds positively to her breast cancer treatment and goes into remission. This miraculous turn of events provides Johnny with hope amid his battles with addiction, grief, and the consequences of his choices. However, she later becomes involved with the Devil in human form, adding another layer to the final confrontation.

  • mother
  • cancer
  • remission
  • health
  • recovery
Q10

What happens to Lily throughout the movie?

Lily joins The Relentless as an exceptionally talented bassist, bringing her haunting history with former bandmate Damien. She becomes increasingly influential in the band, causing friction with Johnny and eventually disappearing into obscurity after Johnny enters rehab. However, she makes a surprising return during the climactic music festival confrontation with the Devil, playing a crucial role in the final showdown.

  • lily
  • disappearance
  • return
  • band member
  • bassist
Q11

Does Johnny find redemption at the end?

Johnny achieves a form of redemption by confronting the Devil rather than succumbing to the final sacrifice demand. After his release from prison with help from Gretchen and Gabriel, he must grapple with the consequences of his actions, including Ricky's death, his broken relationship with Gretchen, and the tragedies his fame caused. While he gains freedom and the band succeeds, his redemption comes with the heavy burden of past choices and lost loved ones.

  • redemption
  • johnny
  • ending
  • moral
  • closure

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.

If you liked this

Movies Like American Satan

Similar movies to American Satan: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app