Fallen (1998)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Dan S

  
  A pulse-less, predictable thriller which seats Denzel Washington in a thankless role as a decorated Philadelphia cop who is tormented by a demon who once possessed a serial killer (Elias Koteas) that the detective helped put to death. While the story has an interesting aspect to it… More
  A pulse-less, predictable thriller which seats Denzel Washington in a thankless role as a decorated Philadelphia cop who is tormented by a demon who once possessed a serial killer (Elias Koteas) that the detective helped put to death. While the story has an interesting aspect to it (the demon bounces around from person to person through a simple "touch"), you still get this feeling that you have all seen this before. Washington does what he can with his character, which is given slightly more information than the other few main characters, but the lack of color overall to the characters as well as a lack of a chilling atmosphere helps lull one to sleep pretty quickly. Of course, with cut and paste thrillers like this, there is a "twist" ending or two, and this one has a pretty clever one to it. However, the film is very, very forgettable just because it becomes tedious after awhile, despite Washington's earnest effort to make it somewhat respectable - it is just a downright bore.

• Jeff "

  
  I find Gregory Hoblit to be a much underrated director. This impressive horror/thriller is very good. The film is definitely creepy and thrilling and Gregory Hoblit crafts a fine psychological horror film. Denzel Washington delivers a fine performance alongside John Goodman. The… More
  I find Gregory Hoblit to be a much underrated director. This impressive horror/thriller is very good. The film is definitely creepy and thrilling and Gregory Hoblit crafts a fine psychological horror film. Denzel Washington delivers a fine performance alongside John Goodman. The Fallen is a great mix of crime film, and supernatural horror with a psychological twist. I won't go into detail of the plot. Hoblit, I find is a fine director who knows how to craft an intricate story that is very engaging, and original. This is true speaking of Fallen. This is an interesting, very well executed film. The concept of the film, like most of Hoblit's films is very engaging film. Fallen is a remarkable psychological horror film that definitely is a must see. Fallen is a terrific film with plenty of twists. The performances of the cast make this film something truly special, and though it's not a perfect film, Fallen is still a top-notch psychological horror film with plenty to offer. The story is elaborate, and will keep you guessing till the very end. I enjoyed the concept of the film, and it made this film quite entertaining. Gregory Hoblit is an underrated talent, and with this film he shows that he can craft a terrific film. As far as psychological horror is concerned, Fallen sets out to achieve what it tries to do. A well acted, and executed film with an interesting concept, Fallen delivers, and with a cast like this, it's also a must see. The film is creepy, mysterious and above all very good. Yet another underrated film by an underrated director.

• Martin S

  
  It was pretty good. The cast seemed a little random...But Denzel Washington was good.

• Melvin W

  
  Edgar Reese: Howdy, folks. Ladies, gents, cocksuckers, pederasts, I hope you all enjoy the show. Yes, I do.  "Don't trust a soul." Despite being completely ridiculous and having many flaws, I really loved Fallen. It's a really cool and entertaining movie with a… More
  Edgar Reese: Howdy, folks. Ladies, gents, cocksuckers, pederasts, I hope you all enjoy the show. Yes, I do.  "Don't trust a soul." Despite being completely ridiculous and having many flaws, I really loved Fallen. It's a really cool and entertaining movie with a cast that is a lot of fun to watch. I'll admit, it does go over the top with its ideas at times. The best example of this is the body shifts, but it never became so ridiculous as to where I found it annoying. From the opening sequence to the last narration; Fallen is always an interesting and thrilling ride. I find that I didn't dislike anything about this movie.  The plot, while implausible, is a unique supernatural thriller meets cop drama. At first I wished we didn't know what was going on, while Washington's character was trying to figure it out, but in time it makes sense. The movie is a lot smarter than it seems. I think at times Gregory Hoblit tries to be too smart with it and he leads himself into some ridiculous scenes. But those scenes are the most fun. I really liked the way "Time Is On Your Side" is used throughout the movie to show the presence of the "Fallen." Any movie that uses The Stones as a motif is alright by me.  The plot leads up to a thoroughly satisfying conclusion. The narration aspect of the movie was a really clever little add on and ties the whole movie together. Fallen, for me, is one of those movies that I like despite knowing that its not nearly as good as it could have been. It has a great idea and is a lot of fun, but that's not to say it couldn't have been much better.

• Lady D

  
  A Supernatural, unexplicable Serial Killer film, that left me feeling quite flat on my first viewing of this film, I?m a big fan of Serial Killer films and this didn?t quite fit for me. Second watching was definitely more focussed on the Supernatural telling of the story. Denzel… More
  A Supernatural, unexplicable Serial Killer film, that left me feeling quite flat on my first viewing of this film, I?m a big fan of Serial Killer films and this didn?t quite fit for me. Second watching was definitely more focussed on the Supernatural telling of the story. Denzel Washington wasn?t particular out of the ordinary in this film, but I did like the way the paranoia was created throughout by not knowing who or where the killer was coming from next. Whilst the outcome was an ok ending, the length the final scene took seemed to go on and on and really made you lose interest in the whole film.

• Anthony L

  
  Good film but it gave a little too much away too soon. Some of the actors are wasted too but everyone puts in a good performance. It?s no Seven but well worth a watch!

• Derek D

  
  Just the cast alone should be reason to want to see this, but alongside all that you add on a great storyline with a twist that the killer could be anyone, anywhere and can't seemingly ever be defeated. Denzel extends his streak of great performances, and an extra half-point for… More
  Just the cast alone should be reason to want to see this, but alongside all that you add on a great storyline with a twist that the killer could be anyone, anywhere and can't seemingly ever be defeated. Denzel extends his streak of great performances, and an extra half-point for the ending where the bad guy wins in the end. That's rare.

• Ginny  

  
  "Tiime, is on my siide... Yes it is! I said tiiiimme, is on my side!" <br/>One of those movies I liked very much during my teens.

• Jason S

  
  Washington once again makes a character his own when he plays a detective who crosses paths with a demon. One of the things I like about the movie is that Denzel does some things with the character that make him more of a real person. Before he pours himself a cup a of coffee he… More
  Washington once again makes a character his own when he plays a detective who crosses paths with a demon. One of the things I like about the movie is that Denzel does some things with the character that make him more of a real person. Before he pours himself a cup a of coffee he blows into the cup to clean out any dust. At the end of the day he does it again and turns the mug over to keep it from the dirtiness of the world he lives in. These are the little things that make his character as real as you and I. The story is a good one as the hero has to overcome something that is far bigger than he is without any chance of success. The others in the cast all do their part in the story and add a little to each scene. There is one scene that I think really makes the movie. The demon goes after someone who has been helping Detective Hobbes and she manages to get away before he can touch her and enter her body. Instead of a foot chase she runs off as he hops from body to body with reached out hands going through the crowd trying to get at her. It really is a freaky scene. In the end I liked the battle between good and evil and the acting of Mr. Washington makes the movie shine and fresh. It's a nice way to make a supernatural movie without having all the special effects clouding the human story.

• A.D. V

  
  Just as bad as I thought it would be. I avoided it for years until I got sick of everyone recommending it. Cliche, full of holes and a telegraphed ending. Could've been great but poorly mishandled and miscast.

• Aaron N

  
  John Hobbes: I got a bad feeling about this. Jonesy: Yeah, me too. Somebody is playing with my dick and it ain't me. A neat combination of detective mystery and supernatural thriller. Denzel Washington stars as a big city detective who has just claimed some fame after catching… More
  John Hobbes: I got a bad feeling about this. Jonesy: Yeah, me too. Somebody is playing with my dick and it ain't me. A neat combination of detective mystery and supernatural thriller. Denzel Washington stars as a big city detective who has just claimed some fame after catching a serial killer. Things start to become a little funny from him when a new series of murders start to occur, with evidence linking back to that same, now executed, killer. As it turns out, the spirit of a demon is traveling by touch from person to person, doing what it wants, and is now pissed off at Denzel's character, therefore wants to make his life hell. I enjoy this movie because the story is a nice mix of two genres, it is slickly directed, easily taking a few notes from films like Se7en, and the demon stuff is handled in a cool sort of way. Add to that a strong supporting cast including John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Elias Koteas, and Embeth Davidtz as well as a couple sweet uses of Rolling Stones songs, and you have yourself an entertaining flick. Azazel: Time is on my side. Yes it is.

• Dr Blood  

  
  The creepiest, most devilish suspense tale since "Se7en". Quite simply perfect!

• Dean !

  
  The idea sounded good, and Denzel gives a good performance as always but something was missing from this for me. A bit more action or darker storyline would have been better.

• xGary X

  
  Denzel Washington stars as (surprise surprise) Denzel Washington in a ludicrous supernatural thriller, which could have been excellent if it had grown a sense of humour. Unfortunately, the entire cast, especially Washington, are laughably po-faced about the whole thing. A film John… More
  Denzel Washington stars as (surprise surprise) Denzel Washington in a ludicrous supernatural thriller, which could have been excellent if it had grown a sense of humour. Unfortunately, the entire cast, especially Washington, are laughably po-faced about the whole thing. A film John Carpenter SHOULD have made.

• danny d

  
  really freaky in many ways, denzel and goodman are both great and this flick is interesting

• Todd S

  
  Great ending... I never knew demons liked the rolling stones.

• Deb S

  
  Dedicated homicide detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington) watches the execution of a serial killer and believes that his job is finally done. But all of a sudden people are being murdered once more, killings that are similar to the dead serial killer. Fallen can certainly keep us… More
  Dedicated homicide detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington) watches the execution of a serial killer and believes that his job is finally done. But all of a sudden people are being murdered once more, killings that are similar to the dead serial killer. Fallen can certainly keep us hooked with its intriguing twists and startling moments combined with bizarre supernatural elements as Hobbes eventually comes to the realization that he's chasing a dreadful and potent force that is not of this world. The cast is first rate with Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, and it was good seeing James Gandolfini in a supporting role before his Tony Soprano character.

• Lesley N

  
  Silly supernatural/religiousy film about Denzel Washington (serial killer chasing cop) finding out supernatural religiousy things (don't want to spoil the plot now). Washington manages to keep a straight face throughout and John Goodman is a bonus, playing one of his many… More
  Silly supernatural/religiousy film about Denzel Washington (serial killer chasing cop) finding out supernatural religiousy things (don't want to spoil the plot now). Washington manages to keep a straight face throughout and John Goodman is a bonus, playing one of his many John-Goodman-as-a cop roles

• Duncan R

  
  Fantastic. The cast is on-par with the suspenseful script, and the supernatural element is presented in a way that's more disturbing than corny. The latter's a rarity in most supernatural horror films these days. One of the best horror movies of the last decade, and… More
  Fantastic. The cast is on-par with the suspenseful script, and the supernatural element is presented in a way that's more disturbing than corny. The latter's a rarity in most supernatural horror films these days. One of the best horror movies of the last decade, and that's saying something.

• Mike T

  
  A solid thriller that is interesting more than it is stupid. Nothing great, but worth a look for its interesting concept.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings