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Fallen (1998)

tomatometer

40

Average Rating: 5.3/10
Reviews Counted: 55
Fresh: 22 | Rotten: 33

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

36

Average Rating: 5/10
Critic Reviews: 14
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 9

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

audience

74

liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 49,236

My Rating

Movie Info

Directed by Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear), Fallen is a blend of the police drama and supernatural thriller genres. Homicide detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington) narrates, taking the audience back to "the time I almost died." This sets a flashback in motion, beginning at the prison cell of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas), who grabs Hobbes' hand and sings the Rolling Stones' "Time Is on My Side." After Reese is executed, Hobbes and his partner, Jonesy (John Goodman), find a seeming

R, 2 hr. 3 min.

Drama, Animation, Mystery & Suspense

Nicholas Kazan

Jun 16, 1998

Warner Home Video

Cast

All Critics (58) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (33) | DVD (4)

Denzel Washington has the almost impossible task of holding together a convoluted picture that's only intermittently suspenseful and not very engaging emotionally or intellectually.

January 11, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety
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The first half of this movie holds some promise, but time is not on its side.

January 11, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
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A stylish if seriously far-fetched nightmare.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
New York Times
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A crafty piece of work, ending with a pair of marvelous twists.

September 26, 2002 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | Comment
Los Angeles Times
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A human trifle that can be safely ignored in this eschatological genre.

April 12, 2002 Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | Comment
Globe and Mail
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This film is essentially God Told Me To with a new paint job.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | Comment
Sacramento Bee
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Director Gregory Hoblit consistently opts for an atmosphere of gloomy malaise rather than going for the cheap shocks.

January 11, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A high-concept mating of the police thriller and the supernatural, Gregory Hoblit's movie (sophomore jinx?) will disappoint afficionados of both genres.

June 25, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment

God (or the Devil) is in the detail: every time a fluid is taken into the body, the fidgety camera zooms in, fascinated, suspicious.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

All style and no substance.

April 9, 2005 Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | Comment
Reeling Reviews

Must-see for fans of satanic creepiness, The Rolling Stones, and sly tabby cats.

January 28, 2005 Full Review Source: StaciWilson.com | Comment (1)
StaciWilson.com

An effective genre film that leaves an unmistakably good impression, which is something most of Hollywood's supernatural thrillers usually fail to do.

March 22, 2004 Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | Comment
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Maybe the devil made the filmmakers do it. Although the acting and production values are good, don't be tempted to see this tedious film. It only reinforces society's fears that evil is everywhere -- and no one can do anything about it.

May 20, 2003 Comment
Palo Alto Weekly

Despite a lackluster performance by Washington and a long dead spot in the middle, it does not fail to thrill and chill, and if that is your cup of tea, it comes highly recommended.

February 8, 2003 Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | Comment
Film Quips Online

A masterful supernatural thriller, using simple techniques to remarkable effect.

January 22, 2003 Comment
Flipside Movie Emporium

A solid, smart, gripping tale of terror with the wit to scare us silly.

October 15, 2002 Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | Comment
Cincinnati Enquirer

None of the protagonists are humanized enough to elicit our concern for their well-being, and a puzzlingly sporadic narration takes audiences out of the moment.

June 5, 2002 Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | Comment
Boxoffice Magazine

'Possuídos' é um filme surpreendente. Na verdade, é tão surpreendente que você só percebe que havia algo a descobrir quando o filme acaba.

May 31, 2002 Full Review Source: Cinema em Cena | Comment
Cinema em Cena
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Fallen

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

October 19, 2007
Dan Schultz

Super Reviewer

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

September 25, 2011
TheDudeLebowski65
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

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