Fallen (released in theaters on Jan. 16, 1998) is a sophisticated supernatural thriller that successfully merges the gritty realism of a police procedural with the ancient dread of biblical mythology. Directed by Gregory Hoblit, the film stands out in the crowded “serial killer” subgenre of the late 90s by introducing an antagonist that cannot be handcuffed or killed in the traditional sense.
It is a film defined by its moody Philadelphia atmosphere, a haunting “Rolling Stones” motif, and a career-best performance from Denzel Washington, who brings a grounded gravitas to a story about the unseen evil lurking in plain sight.
Detective John Hobbes (Washington) is a celebrated Philadelphia homicide cop who has just witnessed the execution of a sadistic serial killer he caught, Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas).
However, the celebration is short-lived. Following the execution, a series of new murders begin to occur, all bearing Reese’s specific, bizarre signature.
Hobbes, along with his loyal partner Jonesy (John Goodman) and their superior, Lieutenant Stanton (Donald Sutherland), initially suspects a copycat killer or perhaps a corrupt officer.
As Hobbes digs deeper, he is led to Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz), the daughter of a former decorated detective who died under mysterious circumstances.
Gretta reveals the terrifying truth: the killer is not a man, but Azazel, a fallen angel and demonic entity that can pass from person to person through a simple touch.
Hobbes realizes that his fellow officers, including Lou (James Gandolfini) and Joe (Cress Williams), as well as ordinary strangers on the street, could be harboring the entity at any moment.
The investigation turns into a psychological nightmare as Azazel taunts Hobbes, using the voices of those around him to sing “Time Is on My Side.”
With the entity framing Hobbes for the new murders, the detective is forced to flee, eventually realizing that the only way to defeat an immortal spirit that survives by jumping to a new host is to lure it to a place where there is no one else to touch.
The film builds to a desolate, snowy climax where Hobbes must make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the demon has nowhere left to go.
Denzel Washington in Fallen (Photo/Warner Bros.)
Reception for Fallen
Fallen grossed $10.4 million on its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office behind Titanic ($36 million) and Good Will Hunting ($13.7 million).
The film would gross $25.2 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave Fallen two and a half out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Fallen is remembered for its enduring reputation as one of the most clever and atmospheric thrillers of its decade. It is famously remembered for its shocking, narration-twisting ending, which remains a frequent topic of discussion among fans of the genre.
The film’s “possession through touch” mechanic provided a fresh and genuinely unnerving take on the supernatural, influencing later films and television shows that explored similar themes of invisible, jumping evil.
Beyond its plot twists, the movie is celebrated for its incredible ensemble cast, particularly the chemistry between Washington and Goodman.
It served as a pivotal entry in Washington’s rise as the preeminent dramatic lead of his generation and featured early, powerful work by Gandolfini before his global stardom on The Sopranos.
