Love God is a 1997 American surreal comedy-drama film directed by Frank Grow. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is known for its experimental visual style and unconventional narrative. The film stars a schizophrenic protagonist with a compulsive reading disorder, navigating life after his release from a mental institution, only to be haunted by Hindu gods.
The story follows the protagonist's attempts to reintegrate into society after a stint in a mental institution. However, his efforts are complicated by hallucinations of Hindu deities and the onset of a bizarre series of events involving mutated worms and their effect on human biology.
Frank Grow wrote and directed Love God, which utilized a blend of live-action and special effects to achieve its distinctive surreal aesthetic. The film was independently produced and gained attention for its experimental approach.
Love God was selected to screen at the following film festivals:
Critical response to Love God was mixed. Fred Camper of The Chicago Reader described the film as a "wildly inventive" piece of work, while Anita Gates of The New York Times noted its eccentric humor and unusual use of special effects. Godfrey Cheshire of Variety acknowledged its visual ambition, although the narrative received criticism for its abstract nature. Steven Puchalski of Shock Cinema highlighted the film's niche appeal.
While not a commercial success, Love God has gained a cult following for its unique storytelling and visual style. It remains a notable entry in the canon of 1990s independent cinema and recognized as an early live-action film shot entirely on digital and transferred to film.