Fallen

After witnessing the execution of a notorious serial killer, homicide detective John Hobbes finds that the killings resume, bearing the killer's signature. The timing and style echo Reese's crimes, but Hobbes quickly suspects something beyond ordinary crime is at work. A mysterious force seems to jump from one body to another, reframing the case as much as a metaphysical puzzle as a pursuit of a criminal. Hobbes experiences visions and tremors whenever a suspect surfaces, and conventional clues falter as the violence expands across city streets. The line between victim and perpetrator blurs, forcing him to chase a foe who may inhabit any passerby, any stranger he encounters. The hunt becomes a fight against a malevolent presence that defies explanation.

Directed by Gregory Hoblit, Fallen arrived in 1998 as a tense crime thriller with supernatural undertones. The screenplay by Nicholas Kazan is an original concept rather than an adaptation, anchored by Denzel Washington's central performance and a strong ensemble.

Fallen helped popularize the idea of a malevolent force that can hop between bodies, creating suspense through shifting identities rather than just chasing a single villain. Its visuals and tone influenced later thrillers that mix procedural grit with supernatural dread, earning a niche following among fans of supernatural crime.

Critics praised Washington's performance and Hoblit's brisk direction, even as some found the plot melodramatic or opaque in places. The film probes themes of evil as a contagious presence, perception versus reality, and how fear can blur judgment, giving a cerebral edge to a conventional thriller framework.

Box office performance was modest with a worldwide gross around 25.2 million against a 46 million budget, suggesting the film quietly appealed to genre fans rather than broad audiences. Even so, its reputation grew through home video and later discussions among crime thrillers that blend supernatural elements with procedural tension, making Fallen a memorable late 90s genre crossbreed.