Ever since Hollywood started employing religious elements in its horror movies, there were some rules not supposed to be broken. Most of such horror films were meant for the public educated or at least marginally familiar with Judeo-Christian culture and its religious values and convictions. So, it was already understood that the Satan represented absolute Evil and God represented absolute Good. In 1990s cynicism, nihilism and fin-de-siècle meant that even this taboo had to be challenged. This twist happened in The Prophecy, 1995 supernatural thriller directed by Gregory Widen.
Protagonist of the film is Thomas (played by Elias Koteas), seminary student who lost faith and became policeman instead of a priest. Now he works as a murder investigator and his last case involves bizarre murder that would make him re-examine his faith once again. It turns out that the angels led by Gabriel (played by Christopher Walken) became jealous of God's love for mankind and began war in Heaven. The conflict rages for millennia and the soul of deceased Korean War veteran would bring decisive edge to Gabriel's side. But man-loving angel Simon (played by Eric Stoltz) has stolen the soul and stashed it in little Native American girl. Thomas travels to Indian reservation, accompanied by Catherine (played by Virginia Madsen), girl's teacher, in order to save her from murderous Gabriel. Yet two of them don't stand a chance, at least until they receive unexpected aid from Lucifer (played by Viggo Mortensen).
Screenwriter and director Gregory Widen (best known as the author of Highlander) had fascinating and intriguing idea for this film. Unfortunately, his skill as a screenwriter wasn't matched by his skills as a director and his ideas couldn't be properly explored because of the low budget. For most of the time the plot is confusing, and the action in the film is subservient to the dialogue, although some of the heretical lines (including those expressing the idea that humans are morally superior to angels) might be quite amusing. The actors representing human characters - Koteas and Madsen - are bland, but this is compensated with those representing celestial beings. Traditionally creepy Christopher Walken seems perfect for the role of dark-clad angel, while Viggo Mortensen shines in the small but chillingly effective appearance as Lucifer. Although many opportunities in this film seem wasted, the surreal atmosphere and the cerebral approach towards supernatural and religious themes are reasons enough why The Prophecy should be viewed as something more than a mere curiosity. RATING: 6/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on September 18th 2002)
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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/11980-the-prophecy?language=en-US
Critic: AA
