The film centers on Detective John Hobbes (played by Denzel Washington), who becomes embroiled in a series of gruesome murders that appear to be connected to a mysterious serial killer named Edgar Reese (played by Elias Koteas). Reese is arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death by lethal injection.
However, after Reese’s execution, a new string of murders begins, bearing the same distinctive modus operandi as those committed by Reese. This baffles Hobbes and his colleagues, as they struggle to comprehend how the killings could continue despite Reese being dead.
As Hobbes investigates the new murders, he discovers evidence suggesting that Reese may have been possessed by a malevolent supernatural entity known as Azazel, which has the ability to transfer itself from person to person through touch. Azazel is a fallen angel who seeks to corrupt and manipulate humanity for its own nefarious purposes.
Hobbes realizes that Azazel is targeting him directly, as he was the one who arrested Reese and thus came into close contact with the entity. Azazel taunts Hobbes, using various hosts to torment him and toy with his sanity. Hobbes becomes increasingly obsessed with stopping Azazel and preventing it from claiming any more victims.
In a climactic showdown, Hobbes confronts Azazel in a remote cabin, where the entity has taken control of his former partner, Detective Jonesy (played by John Goodman). In a tense standoff, Hobbes manages to outsmart Azazel by tricking it into admitting its true identity, allowing him to destroy the host body and banish the entity back to the abyss.
However, in a chilling twist, the film ends with Hobbes narrating how Azazel’s spirit is still out there, waiting for another opportunity to strike. Despite his victory, Hobbes is left haunted by the knowledge that evil never truly dies and that he may never be free from the specter of Azazel.
“Fallen” is praised for its atmospheric tension, intricate plot twists, and Denzel Washington’s gripping performance as the determined protagonist. It’s a chilling and suspenseful thriller that explores themes of good versus evil, fate versus free will, and the enduring power of darkness in the human soul.