You probably hadn’t heard of Angels of Passion a couple of years ago. Most people hadn’t. It was just another flickering remnant of 1980s adult cinema, gathering digital dust on obscure archival sites. But then something weird happened. A 17-second clip of a catchy pop song sent the entire internet into a frenzy, and suddenly, this 1986 relic became the most talked-about movie on Reddit.
It’s a wild story.
Honestly, the movie itself is exactly what you’d expect from a mid-80s production directed by Jerome Bronson. It’s got that specific grain, the synth-heavy atmosphere, and a plot that—while secondary to the "adult" action—actually tries to have a narrative. The premise? Two angels, played by Jessica Wylde and Tracey Adams, are sent down to Earth. Their mission is basically to provide "sexual satisfaction" to mortals. It sounds like a standard trope, but the legacy of this film has shifted from its content to its soundtrack.
The Mystery of "Ulterior Motives"
For years, a song known only as "Everyone Knows That" (EKT) was the Holy Grail of lost media. A user named carl92 uploaded a snippet to a song-identifying site in 2021, and for three years, thousands of people hunted for the source. They searched through 80s commercials, obscure Japanese pop records, and discarded MTV demos.
Nobody looked at Angels of Passion. Why would they?
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Then, in April 2024, the breakthrough happened. Researchers tracked the song to the 67-minute mark of this specific 1986 film. It turns out the track was actually titled "Ulterior Motives," written and performed by Christopher Saint Booth and Philip Adrian Booth. The internet didn't just find a song; they found it buried in a scene that was... well, definitely not safe for work.
What Really Happens in Angels of Passion 1986?
If you strip away the internet lore, the film is a fascinating time capsule. It features a cast of 80s adult stars like Randy West, Steve Drake, and Stacey Donovan. Unlike the "gonzo" style that took over the industry in the 90s, Angels of Passion has a sort of surrealist, almost comedic framing.
There’s a drunk driver, a motorhome mechanic, and a lot of finger-snapping teleportation. At one point, cards fall out of a heavenly file that predict the deaths of specific people on February 13th. The angels decide to intervene, but instead of saving souls with sermons, they do it through "guidance" and sexuality.
It’s kind of campy.
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The production value is surprisingly decent for the era. Christopher Saint Booth, who produced the film alongside Bronson, wasn't just throwing together background noise. He and his brother Philip (as the band "Who's Who?") crafted a full soundtrack of legitimate 80s synth-pop. This is why the song was so hard to find; it sounded like a chart-topping hit that should have been on the radio, not tucked away in a niche VHS release.
The Cast and the Era
- Tracey Adams: One of the most recognizable faces of the 80s adult industry.
- Jessica Wylde: Played the co-lead angel.
- The Booth Brothers: The musical duo who accidentally became internet legends 40 years later.
The film was released under CDI Home Video. Back then, these movies were sold in the back rooms of video stores or aired on late-night cable in certain regions. There were even rumors that Angels of Passion was caught up in a sting operation in Florida during the 1986 obscenity crackdowns, though historians of the genre point out that many films were seized during that "Meese Report" era.
The Impact on Lost Media Culture
The discovery of the film changed how people look at "lost" digital assets. It proved that sometimes the things we’re looking for aren't in a vault at a major studio—they’re in the most "inappropriate" places imaginable.
The Booth brothers were actually shocked by the sudden fame. Since the discovery, they’ve leaned into it, releasing high-quality versions of the Angels of Passion soundtrack and even re-recording "Ulterior Motives" for fans who wanted to hear it without the "background noises" from the film.
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It’s rare for a movie of this nature to get a second life as a cultural touchstone. Usually, they just disappear. But because of a catchy hook and a persistent group of internet detectives, Angels of Passion is now archived more thoroughly than some Oscar winners from the same year.
Fact-Checking the Myths
You might see people claiming this was a "lost" movie. It wasn't. It was available on sites like xHamster and the Internet Archive for years. The problem was that nobody knew the song was inside it.
There’s also a common misconception that the movie was banned globally. It wasn't. While it faced the usual hurdles of 1980s censorship—especially during the Reagan-era crackdowns on adult content—it was a standard commercial release for its market.
Basically, the film is a mix of fantasy, comedy, and erotica that happened to feature a song that was too good for its own good.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers
If you're interested in the history of this film or the "Ulterior Motives" mystery, here is what you should do:
- Listen to the Official Remaster: Don't settle for the muffled audio from the film clips. Christopher Saint Booth has released The Lost 80s Soundtracks, which includes a clean version of "Ulterior Motives."
- Explore the Archive: If you're curious about the film's "plot" (or lack thereof), the Internet Archive often hosts 1980s VHS rips that provide a better look at the era's aesthetic than the grainy re-uploads on social media.
- Support the Creators: The Booth brothers are active on social media and have been very gracious about their sudden association with a film they made decades ago. Supporting their new music is a great way to celebrate the "EKT" journey.
- Verify the History: When reading about 80s adult cinema, look for actual production credits. Many sites misattribute directors and actors. Jerome Bronson and the CDI Home Video catalog are the primary sources for Angels of Passion.
The saga of Angels of Passion 1986 is a reminder that the internet is a very small place. One day you’re a forgotten VHS tape in a dusty box; the next, you’re the answer to a global mystery.