FAUSTIAN

At a ceremony to honor excellence in all walks of life, an audience of A-listers and elites watch violinist Shinsuke Nomura perform the famous “Devil’s Trill” Sonata. Among the crowd, President Crowe, football star Derek Brody, and Nomura’s girlfriend, pop princess Vanessa “Awedacity” Munroe. As Nomura finishes, he abruptly drops dead into the orchestra pit. Detective Nick Faustino is on the case, leaving his partner, Jake Devlin, an undercover cop, to fend for himself amongst the Scarchilli Crime Family, led by mob boss Carmine Scarchilli. Nick has become obsessed with the recent string of celebrity deaths that have dominated the tabloids, and suspects they are not what they seem, despite being ruled either accidents or suicides. Nomura is but the latest vexing death of a star on the rise who led a most charmed life. Nick’s dedication has drawn the ire of Lt. Huggins, who insists he abandon his investigation and focus on nailing Scarchilli. Nick has deduced that each victim had a connection to a mysterious businessman named Magnus Bloom. They had also encountered Tobias Whitlock, an eccentric stalker, but Nick’s had little success securing concrete evidence that will lead anywhere. After watching Tobias heckle bestselling author Horace Ellerby at a book signing, Nick urges the troubled novelist to file a report so he can take action. Attempting to question Vanessa, he instead thwarts an attack from a masked intruder backstage at her rehearsal. The assailant flees on a bike, causing a pile up which sends rock star Evan Astonbury and podcast queen Roxy Regan to the trauma ward as well. It seems a domino chain of calamity has been set in motion by Tobias, who knows damning details about each celebrity and wants desperately to shake up the status quo. Horace, victim of a home invasion, Derek, suffering from a concussion at practice, and race car driver Dario Moncada, after a brutal collision at the track, also end up at the same ER. Arriving with the increasingly fragile Vanessa, Nick notices the eerie synchronicity as he spots each VIP receiving care. He attempts to question Moncada, but notices Tobias, lurking the hallways, and wastes no time in hauling him in. Tobias claims he only wants to help the group remember what they’ve done. He claims they’ve sold their souls and have entered a trance-like state which makes them forget. Only by putting them into life-or-death situations can he wake them up. Lt. Huggins intervenes, cuts Tobias loose, and puts Nick back on the Scarchilli case. But Nick cannot walk away, falling for Vanessa and becoming her de facto bodyguard, convinced the conniving Tobias will strike again. As faces from their past resurface, and repressed memories of a satanic ceremony haunt their dreams, the group assemble at Scarchilli’s night club where Devlin hopes to entice the notorious mobster into a shady crypto scheme. But when Tobias shows up and blows his cover, a wild shootout ensues, forcing each of them to face imminent death once more. Fleeting memories rise to the surface amidst the gunfire, forcing them to face up to their Faustian pacts, aligning themselves with Tobias’ plan. Whisked away to an old church on the edge of town, they must take part in a seance to locate the actual contracts they’ve signed with Satan. Only by stealing the contracts back, and performing an occult ceremony, can the deals be broken, and their souls be saved. They must put their faith in Tobias, work together as an unlikely crew, and plan a most unusual heist. Using their wits, charisma, and celebrity cache, they must gain access to Magnus Bloom's exclusive art gallery to enter a hidden room where the framed agreements are stored. Each of their unique skills and complicated pasts will play a part in securing the coveted contracts that can either save their souls or seal their fates. Nick must risk everything to save Vanessa and unite the merry band of A-Listers. With a GOAT Quarterback, a Rock God, and a Pop Princess, they're off to confront the man behind the curtain. But along the way, they'll learn that fame is a double-edged sword and there’s no shortcut to salvation. FAUSTIAN... What’s your deal? ****************************The REVIEWS are in on FAUSTIAN************************************ “I thought that the formatting was good. Your white space was excellent. For the most part, your dialogue is succinct. Great job! Your scenes are tight. You seem to know your stuff on formatting. Your story has uniqueness. The plunge into the pit was great. Knowing that this was a young man, I immediately suspected murder, like a poisoning. So that was rather gripping. I want to be captivated within the first 10 pages (preferably 5) ... You have some good descriptions that take skill to accomplish... you have some mad skills... you have a good story and I liked it... I was rather surprised how you didn't mess around and just got to it. Your ability was impressive. A million people can write, "I love you, you love me, that's the way it's meant to be" Gawd, boring! Don't write what a million people can write... Write what not even one in a million can write. It appears you have that ability. The writer seems to have skills that few possess... I thought it was a good story and written rather well... Overall, a good read." ************************************ "The script crafts a captivating narrative that interweaves the lives of diverse characters into a complex plot with supernatural underpinnings. The concept itself is intriguing, blending elements of mystery, thriller, and the supernatural to explore the consequences of desires and ambitions, potentially leading to Faustian bargains with dark forces. The core concept is its strongest asset. It taps into the timeless theme of making deals with the devil, modernizing it within the context of celebrity culture and high-stakes intrigue. This concept naturally breeds suspense and moral ambiguity, inviting the audience to ponder the true cost of success and fame. The characters are distinct and well-drawn, each with their unique backgrounds and motivations. Shinsuke Nomura, the violinist, serves as a fascinating entry point into the story, symbolizing the allure and danger of exceptional talent. The detective character embodies determination and obsession, providing a human counterpoint to the supernatural elements. The diversity in characters' professions and personalities adds depth to the narrative, ensuring a broad modern appeal. The plot's strength lies in its suspenseful build-up and the interconnection of seemingly disparate characters through a central, ominous threat. The inclusion of a detective story arc adds a layer of investigation and urgency, pushing the narrative forward while deepening the mystery. The dialogue is effective in distinguishing characters and conveying the script's thematic concerns. It balances exposition with character development, using conversations to reveal the complex web of relationships and the characters' psychological states. The dialogue also serves to heighten tension, especially in exchanges involving the stalker and his targets. The exploration of themes such as ambition, morality, and the supernatural versus the human spirit enriches the story. The script thoughtfully engages with the idea of what individuals are willing to sacrifice for their desires, making it not only entertaining but also philosophically compelling." **************** “The screenplay for 'FAUSTIAN' presents a compelling and engaging narrative with well-developed characters and a strong central conflict. The story effectively builds tension and suspense, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat... Overall, 'FAUSTIAN' has the potential to be a successful feature-length film with its intriguing premise, memorable characters, and suspenseful plot. The story has a unique blend of action, thriller, and sports genres, which could attract a wide audience. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging, with plenty of twists and turns. The story explores the dark side of fame and obsession, which could generate buzz and critical acclaim. The diverse cast and innovative ideas could also appeal to a broad audience. The story features compelling characters and a gripping storyline, with relevant social themes and unique hooks. The major twists and distinctive settings could also generate interest and excitement. The screenplay has an overall rating of 9.0, indicating its high quality and effectiveness in engaging the audience. The key strengths of the screenplay include its intense and thrilling moments, effective use of dialogue, and strong emotional impact... the screenplay is a compelling and captivating story that keeps the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats. The concept in this screenplay is consistently strong, introducing unique and engaging elements such as interconnected storylines, personal and professional struggles, and a supernatural twist. The use of parallel storylines and mysterious characters creates intrigue and suspense, keeping the audience engaged. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in terms of clarity and pacing, the overall execution is well-executed, with notable examples of depth and originality throughout the screenplay. The plot of the screenplay is well-structured and engaging, with multiple storylines that keep the audience invested in the story. The plot progresses significantly throughout the screenplay, with new revelations, conflicts, and twists that add complexity and suspense. The overall rating for the plot is 8.9, indicating a strong and compelling narrative. The screenplay demonstrates a strong command of conflict dynamics, with consistently high conflict levels, a diverse range of internal and external conflicts, and effective use of tension and suspense...” **************************************************************************************************