Salvation! 1987

Randall's public persona vs private vice

Reverend Randall presents a charismatic televangelist image to his Staten Island flock. Privately, he bilks his followers and secretly watches pornography while rehearsing sermons in his stately home. This stark hypocrisy sets up the central tension of the story.

Jerome loses his factory job

Jerome's factory job is terminated, increasing the stress within the household and straining Lenore's finances. The ensuing pressure foreshadows Lenore's later appearance at Randall's door. The family's downward spiral becomes a catalyst for the night's events.

Lenore arrives seeking help in a rainstorm

Lenore, Jerome's sister-in-law, comes to Randall's home claiming car trouble during a rainstorm. Randall lets her inside reluctantly, and a simmering attraction begins to bloom between them. The encounter marks the start of Randall's moral decline.

Lenore and Randall's seduction escalates

The two exchange flirtations that quickly escalate into a secretive, dangerous tryst inside the house. They move between seduction and withdrawal, testing boundaries at every turn. The affair becomes a volatile fuse that will have consequences beyond the room.

Jerome and two neighbors confront Randall

Jerome returns with two boorish neighbors and confronts Randall, believing the encounter with Lenore was unwanted. The confrontation turns physical as Randall is beaten. The group leaves Randall battered and his secret on the verge of exposure.

Scheme to blackmail and Randall's escape

The group contemplates blackmailing Randall with a sex scandal, weighing how to exploit his hypocrisy. Randall, however, manages to escape from his home to avoid capture. The seeds of coercion grow into a larger power struggle.

Rhonda rescues Randall on the road

The next morning, Randall is picked up hitchhiking by Rhonda, a born-again believer who sees potential in his ministry. She pitches the idea of bringing her into his operation, turning his public platform into a two-person enterprise. He agrees, hoping to outmaneuver his accusers.

Rhonda's addition brings dramatic success

Rhonda's addition to Randall's program becomes a huge success, lifting many in Lenore, Jerome, and the neighbors into a higher standard of living. The ministry gains influence and visibility as ratings rise. The partnership appears to be a win, at least on the surface.

Rhonda's power grows and she pushes out rivals

Rhonda grows drunk with power, demanding that Randall remove other parties from the ministry. Her confidence and control over the operation intensify, threatening the existing balance. The dynamic shifts from collaboration to domination.

Randall reluctantly concedes to Rhonda's demands

Randall resists the ultimatums at first but eventually concedes to Rhonda's demand for a bigger share of the proceeds. He compromises his own principles in exchange for continued financial success. The line between faith and exploitation becomes increasingly blurred.

Finale: Destroy All Evil — Rhonda's metal-tinged anthem

The film ends with Rhonda performing a heavy-metal inspired song of faith, Destroy All Evil, surrounded by imagery associated with the genre. The spectacle embodies the newfound power dynamic and the transgressive nature of Randall's ministry. Viewers are left with a stark image of ambition corrupted by religious performance.