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Fallen

Play trailer Poster for Fallen R,  1998,  2h 4m,  Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 43% 53 Reviews Tomatometer 72% 50,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
43% Tomatometer 53 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
After witnessing the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas), whom he arrested, police detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington), and his partner, Jonesy (John Goodman), are soon investigating another murderer whose mode of operation is eerily similar to Reese's. In the course of the investigation, Hobbes meets theology professor Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz), who introduces him to the world of the occult and the possibility that an evil spirit is behind the killings.
Fallen

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Has an interesting premise. Unfortunately, it's just a recycling of old materials, and not all that thrilling.

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Critics Reviews

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Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader Jan 11, 2008
The first half of this movie holds some promise, but time is not on its side. Go to Full Review
Janet Maslin New York Times May 20, 2003
3/5
A stylish if seriously far-fetched nightmare. Go to Full Review
Jack Mathews Los Angeles Times Sep 26, 2002
3/5
A crafty piece of work, ending with a pair of marvelous twists. Go to Full Review
Sharai Bohannon A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast May 23, 2025
3.5/5
Another 90s horror gem with a stacked cast. It's unsettling, twisty, and plays with its audience the entire time. They don't make them like this anymore. Go to Full Review
James Croot The Post NZ Nov 18, 2022
3.5/5
Fallen is more of a cult film, one that seems to gain more fans each year, all falling under its wild narrative’s spell and unable to listen to a certain Rolling Stones song in quite the same way again. Go to Full Review
Yael Shuv Total Film Jun 1, 2018
2/5
This overlong, rigidly boring affair suffers from a whole list of ailments. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Hagrid W Apr 20, 2019 Fallen is very suspenseful and entertaining
Harry R Feb 26, 2019 TAAAHHH-AAAIII-AI-AHM... IS ON MAH SIDE... YEHS EET IHZZZ... GOD, I love this movie.
Abraham S Dec 1, 2018 O.k. movie. Half way through goes on the crazy train ride....
Ron S Nov 8, 2018 This film was terrible.
Leia W Sep 17, 2018 mere tomfoolery for the most part of it.. Fallen Fallen is a plot driven action thriller about a cop investing a series of murders that are somehow connected despite of having various killer behind it. The camera work is mere tomfoolery for the most part of it with its amateur approach to dive into the so called thrilling sequences. The renegade natured concept that actually ought to bedazzle the viewers tugs out the somewhat earned crisp by the essence and tone of it leaving the audience cheated. The background score is moot to the visuals projected on the screen, the cinematography is eerily wrong with amatuer editing, all of it that is frankly distracting and disturbing. Washington delivers as anticipated with a fluent response to every given circumstances and is supported well enough by Goodman, Sutherland and Gandolfini who gets their own stand out moments where they hold on to their parts tightly especially Gandolfini who is flat out hilarious in here. The narration depicted in here by Washington that actually questions and answers the ongoing process through metaphors but is unfortunately too loud to be sincere enough and be respectful of its mannerism. The conversations are cheesy and petty that may not even lure younger audience in, with its over thought out analysis. Hoblit's execution fails on all levels in here where it doesn't even justifies the script by Kazan let along support it through his finesse. The first half spends the time of creating the mysterious environment through uncertainty and parallel plot tracks which latter is shucked to feed the commercial aspects of the feature. Few tactics imputed in the process of investigation, a mythical essence thay the concept reeks of and Washington's presence on screen that pulls away all on his shoulder are the high points of the feature. Fallen is an idea tossed by someone as a joke, but then is created with a wider imagination which latter is mutilated in its process. See more
Han W Aug 4, 2018 Little known Denzel Washington film from 1998. Washington plays a homicide detective that sees copycat murders of a serial killer he has just convicted and watched die by gas chamber execution! Before his death the serial killer Edgar Reese talks some ancient language gobbledegook and sings along to The Rolling Stones song Time Is On Your Side. Understanding the plot felt at times like that song title as links were made to demons and the standard horror film phenomenon of bodily hosts of evil spirits. A decent support cast including Donald Sutherland and John Goodman. The odd Rolling Stones song saved the film for me. Hardly a classic. The film drags at times and the plot takes to much concentration especially after a long week at work. See more
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Fallen

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis After witnessing the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas), whom he arrested, police detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington), and his partner, Jonesy (John Goodman), are soon investigating another murderer whose mode of operation is eerily similar to Reese's. In the course of the investigation, Hobbes meets theology professor Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz), who introduces him to the world of the occult and the possibility that an evil spirit is behind the killings.
Director
Gregory Hoblit
Producer
Charles Roven, Dawn Steel
Screenwriter
Nicholas Kazan
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Turner Pictures, Atlas Entertainment
Rating
R (Violence|Language)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 16, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$25.2M
Runtime
2h 4m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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