You know that feeling when a song gets stuck in your head? Usually, it's just annoying. But in the 1998 Denzel Washington film Fallen, it’s a death sentence. Honestly, if you haven’t seen it lately, you might remember it as "that one movie where people sing The Rolling Stones," but there is so much more going on under the surface of this gritty, rain-soaked Philadelphia nightmare.
It's a weird one.
The movie starts with a voiceover. "I want to tell you about the time I almost died." You think you’re listening to Detective John Hobbes, played with that classic Denzel steadiness. But the movie pulls a fast one on you. By the time the credits roll to the tune of "Sympathy for the Devil," you realize the narrator wasn't the hero at all. It was the villain.
What is the Denzel Washington film Fallen actually about?
At its heart, Fallen is a police procedural that accidentally tripped into a theology textbook. Denzel plays John Hobbes, a high-achieving homicide detective who catches a serial killer named Edgar Reese (played by a terrifyingly manic Elias Koteas). Reese is executed in the gas chamber, but not before he grabs Hobbes’ hand and babbles some gibberish in Aramaic.
Then the real trouble starts.
Murders begin happening again. They’re exact copies of Reese’s style. Hobbes thinks it’s a copycat. Maybe a corrupt cop? But it’s actually Azazel, an ancient fallen angel who can move from person to person through a simple touch. This is where the movie gets genuinely unsettling. It’s not about monsters in masks; it’s about the guy pushing a shopping cart next to you or the lady at the vending machine.
Why the "Time Is on My Side" scene still works
There’s a specific sequence in the middle of the film that basically defined the "possession" genre for a decade. Azazel is taunting Hobbes by jumping through a crowd. One person starts singing "Time Is on My Side," then they brush past a stranger, and that person picks up the lyric without missing a beat.
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It’s chilling.
The mechanics of the demon are actually pretty consistent. Director Gregory Hoblit—who also did Primal Fear—uses a weird, jaundiced yellow filter for Azazel’s POV shots. It looks like the world through a bruised lung. It’s a low-tech way to show a supernatural perspective, and honestly, it’s more effective than a lot of the CGI we see today.
The cast is secretly legendary
Looking back, the lineup for the Denzel Washington film Fallen is kind of insane. You’ve got:
- Denzel Washington: Playing the "righteous man" role he does better than anyone.
- John Goodman: As Jonesy, Hobbes’ partner. He brings a warmth that makes the eventual betrayal hurt way more.
- Donald Sutherland: As the Lieutenant who knows more than he’s letting on.
- James Gandolfini: Just a year before The Sopranos made him a household name.
- Embeth Davidtz: As Gretta Milano, the woman who provides the "expert" backstory on demonic lore.
The chemistry between Denzel and Goodman is what anchors the movie. Without their "regular guy" energy, the stuff about Aramaic-speaking demons would feel way too hokey. Instead, it feels like a tragedy unfolding in real-time.
The ending that most people got wrong
Let’s talk about that cabin in the woods.
Hobbes realizes he can’t beat Azazel in the city. There are too many people to jump into. So, he lures the demon to a remote cabin. The plan is simple but dark: Hobbes will kill the current host, then kill himself. If there are no other humans around, Azazel will have nowhere to go and will eventually "wither" in the cold air.
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It’s a suicide mission.
And it almost works. Hobbes poisons his own cigarettes (a very 90s detective move). He smokes, he waits for the demon to enter him, and he prepares to die. But the movie reminds us of the very first line: "I want to tell you about the time I almost died."
As Hobbes dies, the camera pans down. A cat—a scruffy little tabby—strolls out from under the porch. Azazel didn't die. He just found a new ride. The demon wins.
Why critics hated it (and why they were wrong)
When Fallen hit theaters in January 1998, critics weren't kind. It has something like a 41% on Rotten Tomatoes. They called it "convoluted" and "lethargic." Roger Ebert famously said the idea was better than the execution.
But they missed the point.
Fallen isn't trying to be Se7en. It’s not trying to be a jump-scare horror movie. It’s a noir about the impossibility of being a "good man" in a world where evil is literal and immortal. It’s a movie about losing. In the late 90s, audiences wanted the hero to walk away. They wanted the demon banished. Fallen didn't give them that. It gave them a cat and a Rolling Stones song.
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Things you probably missed
If you're going back for a rewatch, keep an eye on the background characters. There are several moments where the "Azazel touch" happens in the corner of the frame before the main characters even notice.
Also, the use of Aramaic wasn't just random "scary language" fluff. The script actually leans into the idea that these entities are ancient. They don't think in human years. To Azazel, Hobbes is just a momentary distraction, a "righteous man" to be broken for sport. It makes the stakes feel much higher than your average serial killer flick.
How to watch and appreciate Fallen today
If you want to get the most out of the Denzel Washington film Fallen, don't treat it like a modern thriller. It’s a slow burn.
- Watch the eyes: Pay attention to the physicality of the possessed characters. Elias Koteas set the template with his weird, jerky movements, and every other actor—including Goodman and Denzel—mimics it perfectly when it's their turn.
- Listen to the lyrics: The choice of "Time Is on My Side" and "Sympathy for the Devil" isn't just because they’re good songs. They are the narrative. The demon is literally telling you he has all the time in the world and that he wants your pity.
- Check the locations: The film uses Philadelphia's older, more gothic architecture to great effect. It feels like a city with secrets, which is exactly what a supernatural noir needs.
The next time you hear a stranger humming a tune in line at the grocery store, just remember Detective Hobbes. And maybe don't let them brush against your arm.
To truly dive into the legacy of this film, start by comparing Denzel's performance here to his work in The Little Things or Training Day. You can see the evolution of his "burdened lawman" persona that arguably started right here in the rain of Philly. It's a masterclass in subtlety that deserved better than its initial box office run.