City of Gold

Haunted by elusive demons that have manifested in masochistic and self-destructive ways, Jonathan Davenport (Robbie Allen) seeks refuge from a world that has turned its back on him following the suicide of his media mogul father, Richard (Christopher Atkins). In his quest for solace, Jonathan delves into the world of kinky sex, where he finds himself handcuffed and whipped, all while battling the demons that possess him during these encounters.

After being deemed psychologically unfit to manage his family’s business, Jonathan reconnects with his former lover, Elisabeth Carlisle (Riley Dandy), who is gearing up for an expedition to the jungles of Peru in search of a reclusive artist, Jorge Escamilla (John Charles Meyer). Supporting Elisabeth in her journey is Carlos Volkov (Dmitri Raskes), a dealer assisting with the logistics of the trip.

In hopes that this journey will provide him with the time he needs to grapple with his father’s death, Jonathan decides to accompany Elisabeth. However, he soon discovers that the Amazon jungle harbors a fresh set of dangers. The art collector, who is sponsoring their exhibition, has a sinister entourage, and the artist remains hidden within rebel territories. As Jonathan ventures deeper into this chaotic world, the demonic spirit tormenting him begins to reveal its ultimate goal: the relentless pursuit of El Dorado.

Joined by Carlotta (Bethany Utke), Carlos’s bodyguard, and Maria (Cyndi Mayo), his wife, they enlist the help of Shiniki (Branscombe Richmond), a shaman guiding them to Jorge. Eventually, they locate Jorge within a temple, a remnant from the era of the Spanish conquest of the Incas. Jorge shares that his artistic inspiration stems from the horrors of the Inquisition, yet he expresses no interest in traveling to America to showcase his creations.

As they journey to find El Dorado, Jonathan experiences haunting visions of Francesco (Vernon Wells), an Inquisitor. Tensions arise when rebels ambush the group at the temple, yet the priests assist in their escape, sacrificing themselves in the process. Jorge reveals to Jonathan and Elisabeth that his art pays homage to Francesco, explaining that the Inquisitor’s bloodline has endured since Inca times and that his own father was murdered by a descendant of Francesco. Jorge believes this madness of obsession with finding El Dorado is encoded in their bloodline.

Correcting Jonathan and Elisabeth’s understanding, Jorge clarifies that El Dorado is not merely a city of gold, but a realm where desires manifest. In a bind, Jonathan pledges to locate El Dorado in exchange for Jorge’s promise to accompany him to the U.S. As revelations unfold, Jonathan comprehends that he is a living descendant of Francesco, making it his destined quest to uncover El Dorado. Under the influence of Francesco’s spirit, he begins to turn against his own security team after vanquishing the rebel threats.

Upon reaching El Dorado, Jorge discloses that he and Shiniki have always known the city’s whereabouts but required Francesco’s bloodline to access it. Jorge, driven by vengeance for his family’s murder at the hands of Carlos, seeks to exploit the city’s powers to resurrect them. In a twisted turn, Jorge forces Jonathan to stab himself while holding Elisabeth hostage. As Jonathan plunges the blade into his flesh, he experiences visions of Francesco’s greed and the curse levied upon him by a dying shaman, sealing the secrets of El Dorado with Francesco’s lineage.

Though Jorge desires to restore his family, El Dorado demands an even greater sacrifice. In the ensuing chaos, as Jorge goes on the attack, Jonathan retaliates, but it is Elisabeth who ultimately intervenes, killing Jorge. With their harrowing experience behind them, Elisabeth and Jonathan return to the United States. There, Jonathan discovers his father’s diary, revealing that Francesco survived in Peru. This revelation fuels Jonathan’s desire for further adventure, leading him and Elisabeth to embark on a new journey to Mexico.