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Da Sweet Blood of Jesus

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus 2015

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Da Sweet Blood of Jesus Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2015). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


The film begins with a mesmerizing dance performance by an unnamed dancer, Charles “Lil Buck” Riley, as he glides through various stunning locales in Brooklyn during the credit sequence.

As the story unfolds, we are introduced to Dr. Hess Green (portrayed by Stephen Tyrone Williams), a wealthy African-American anthropologist and art aficionado who comes into possession of an ancient dagger from the Ashanti Empire. This highly advanced civilization, as Green elaborates, developed an addiction to blood transfusions. Later that evening, Lafayette Hightower (played by Elvis Nolasco), a volatile colleague from the museum, pays a visit to Green’s lavish mansion on Martha’s Vineyard, adorned with African art. The two engage in a cordial dialogue about history and philosophy, but things take a dark turn when, after Green retires for the evening, Hightower, drunk and distressed, attempts suicide by climbing a tree with a noose. Green intervenes and saves him, yet tragedy strikes later when Hightower, in a fit of rage, fatally stabs Green with the ceremonial dagger.

To Green’s astonishment, he awakens without a scratch on him. Following a gunshot, he stumbles upon Hightower’s lifeless body and, driven by instinct, drinks Hightower’s blood. This act transforms him; he finds himself invulnerable and no longer able to consume normal food or drink. Instead, he develops an overwhelming thirst for fresh blood. Although he manages to procure several bags of blood from a doctor’s office, his cravings intensify when he encounters Lucky Mays (played by Felicia Pearson), a prostitute whose HIV-positive blood surprisingly revives her after Green drains her. Thankfully, he discovers he has not contracted the virus.

Soon after, Ganja Hightower (portrayed by Zaraah Abrahams](/actor/zaraah-abrahams)), Hightower’s estranged ex-wife, arrives at Green’s estate looking for her ex-husband, who is indebted to her. A passionate affair blossoms between Green and Ganja, prompting her to move into his grand mansion. On a trip he describes as “business,” Green coldly murders Sahara Paysinger (played by Jeni Perillo), a young mother he meets in a Brooklyn park. While Green is away, Ganja inadvertently discovers her ex-husband’s frozen corpse in the wine cellar. Angered at first, Ganja’s feelings shift when Green professes his love, leading her to agree to marry him. On their wedding night, he shocks her by stabbing her with the Ashanti dagger, intending for her to share his newfound immortality. Ganja is initially horrified by her transformation but eventually learns to navigate her new existence.

To facilitate her initiation into this dark world, Green brings home an acquaintance, Tangier Chancellor (played by Naté Bova), for Ganja’s first kill. Following a seduction, Ganja strangles Tangier, and they bury her body, which like Lucky’s, inexplicably revives. As time passes, Green expresses his weariness with this vampiric life, seeking solace at a local church in Red Hook, where a stirring musical performance captivates him, prompting him to approach the altar.

Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Ganja takes a dark turn, murdering Green’s devoted servant, Seneschal Higginbottom (portrayed by Rami Malek). When she ultimately seeks Green to share the tale of her deeds, she finds him at death’s door, shrouded in the shadow of a cross. In his final moments, Green dies in Ganja’s embrace, finding a sense of peace. Though shrouded in grief, Ganja carries on, presumably embracing her vampiric lifestyle. In the poignant closing scene, she walks to the beach, gazing solemnly at the water before reuniting with the resurrected Tangier, as they stand side by side, facing the endless horizon.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2015) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Mesmerizing Dance Performance

The film opens with a breathtaking dance performance by an unnamed dancer, Charles 'Lil Buck' Riley. This captivating sequence sets a vivid tone as he glides through the stunning landscapes of Brooklyn, engaging the audience with his expressive movements.

Brooklyn

Dr. Hess Green's Discovery

We are introduced to Dr. Hess Green, a wealthy African-American anthropologist and art enthusiast. His life takes a turn when he acquires an ancient dagger from the Ashanti Empire, known for its dark history involving blood rituals.

Martha's Vineyard

Visit from Lafayette Hightower

Lafayette Hightower, a troubled colleague, visits Green's mansion for a conversation about history and philosophy. However, this cordial interaction takes a sinister turn as Hightower's distress leads him to attempt suicide, which Green dramatically prevents.

Martha's Vineyard

Fatal Confrontation

Despite Green's intervention, tragedy strikes when Hightower, in a fit of rage, fatally stabs Green with the ceremonial dagger. This moment marks a turning point in the narrative, plunging Green into a world of darkness and immortality.

Martha's Vineyard

Awakening to Immortality

To Green's astonishment, he awakens unharmed after the stabbing. In a shocking twist, he is compelled to drink Hightower's blood, which grants him immortality but instills a monstrous thirst for fresh blood.

Martha's Vineyard

The Encounter with Lucky Mays

Green's thirst leads him to Lucky Mays, a prostitute whose HIV-positive blood unexpectedly restores her vitality after he drains her. This interaction highlights the unusual nature of his new existence as he discovers he remains unaffected by the virus.

Ganja Hightower's Arrival

Ganja Hightower, Hightower's estranged ex-wife, arrives at Green's estate to find her indebted ex-husband. Their meeting sparks an intense affair, leading her to move in with Green, further complicating their dark destinies.

Martha's Vineyard

Cold-blooded Murder

While on a business trip, Green coldly murders Sahara Paysinger, a young mother, showcasing his descent into a remorseless predator. This chilling act serves as a stark reminder of his transformation and the moral decay surrounding him.

Brooklyn Park

Ganja's Discovery

Ganja inadvertently discovers Hightower's frozen corpse in the wine cellar while Green is away. Initially angered, she ultimately succumbs to Green's charm when he expresses his love, leading her to agree to marry him.

Martha's Vineyard

A Shocking Wedding Night

On their wedding night, Green shocks Ganja by stabbing her with the Ashanti dagger in a bid to grant her immortality. Though horrified initially, Ganja learns to adapt to her new life, leading to a transformative experience.

Martha's Vineyard

Initiation into Vampirism

To help Ganja adapt to her dark existence, Green introduces her to Tangier Chancellor for her first kill. This marks a significant moment as Ganja successfully stangles Tangier, solidifying her new identity.

Green's Crisis of Faith

Overwhelmed by his vampiric existence, Green seeks solace at a local church where a musical performance stirs something profound within him. This reflection marks a crucial moment of introspection amidst his dark choices.

Red Hook

The Betrayal

In a shocking turn, Ganja murders Seneschal Higginbottom, Green's loyal servant. This act of betrayal highlights Ganja's transformation and descent into darkness as she embraces her bloody new reality.

Martha's Vineyard

Green's Last Moments

As Green slips into death, he finds solace in Ganja's embrace, culminating their tragic love story. His demise symbolizes the end of his internal struggle and the finality of his dark journey.

Martha's Vineyard

Ganja's New Beginning

Despite her grief, Ganja embraces her vampiric lifestyle and walks to the beach, mournfully gazing at the water. In a poignant closing scene, she reunites with the resurrected Tangier, signaling her acceptance of her new existence.

Beach

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus Characters

Explore all characters from Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2015). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Dr. Hess Green (Stephen Tyrone Williams)

Dr. Hess Green is a wealthy anthropologist deeply fascinated by the connections between art and history. His journey is one of transformation and moral decline, as his insatiable hunger for blood leads him down a dark path. His initially cultured demeanor contrasts sharply with his violent actions following his vampiric change.

🧑‍🎓 Scholar 🔪 Antagonist

Ganja Hightower (Zaraah Abrahams)

Ganja Hightower is a complex character who transitions from a grieving ex-wife to an accomplice in the dark world presented. Her initial vulnerability evolves into strength as she embraces her vampiric nature, showcasing a fierce survival instinct. Her relationship with Green blurs the lines between love and manipulation.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Lover 🩸 Survivor

Lafayette Hightower (Elvis Nolasco)

Lafayette Hightower is a troubled soul who showcases deep emotional struggles and a volatile nature. His tumultuous interactions with Green highlight the film's exploration of despair and the fragility of life. His tragic fate serves as a catalyst for Green's transformation.

😞 Troubled 🔥 Conflict

Lucky Mays (Felicia Pearson)

Lucky Mays is a prostitute whose unexpected revival after Green's feeding exemplifies the film's exploration of life and death. Her character represents the theme of survival on the fringes of society and the interconnections between the characters' fates.

💔 Tragic 🌆 Survivor

Seneschal Higginbottom (Rami Malek)

Seneschal Higginbottom is Dr. Green's loyal servant, representing loyalty and servitude. His tragic end underlines Ganja's descent into darkness and reinforces the film's exploration of death in the vampire narrative.

🧑‍✈️ Loyal ⚰️ Victim

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus Settings

Learn where and when Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2015) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

The time period is not explicitly stated in the summary, but the elements within suggest a contemporary setting. The film explores modern societal themes intertwined with references to historical aspects of the Ashanti Empire and its blood rituals.

Location

Brooklyn, Martha's Vineyard, Red Hook

The movie primarily unfolds in Brooklyn, a vibrant borough of New York City known for its cultural diversity and artistic vibe. Martha's Vineyard serves as a luxurious backdrop, highlighting the opulence of Dr. Hess Green's lifestyle amidst its charming landscapes. Red Hook, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, complements the film's darker themes, particularly with its local church that serves as a refuge for Green.

🏙️ City 🏝️ Island ⛪ Church

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus Themes

Discover the main themes in Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2015). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🩸

Blood and Immortality

The movie delves into the dark allure of blood and its transformative power, as Dr. Hess Green and later Ganja Hightower grapple with their newfound thirst for blood. Their experiences reflect a complex relationship with mortality, desire, and the consequences of their choices. This theme questions the price of immortality and the nature of life itself.

💔

Love and Betrayal

The film portrays a twisted love story between Green and Ganja, filled with passion and manipulation. Ganja's initial affection quickly turns to horror as she discovers the lengths Green will go to secure their bond. Their relationship raises questions about trust and the darkness that can seep into love.

⚰️

Death and Resurrection

The motif of death and resurrection weaves throughout the narrative, particularly as characters are revived through blood. This theme emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and death, showcasing how the characters navigate their new realities. The dying and returning to life challenge traditional notions of existence and morality.

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