🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Shane Abbess
- Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
- Release year: 2007
- Runtime (length): 1h 54min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (14K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
An angel with anger management issues descends to a gritty, perpetually-night purgatory to punch demons and dramatically brood about feelings.
🍿 Gabriel: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Arrival in Purgatory
Gabriel, an archangel, descends into Purgatory, a city shrouded in darkness and ruled by fallen angels. His mission is to restore light and save the trapped souls. He takes human form, making him vulnerable to human emotions and weaknesses, a challenge faced by the other archangels before him, all of whom failed.
Confronting the Fallen
Gabriel begins his quest, battling the Fallen, led by the cunning Sammael. As he confronts them, he discovers the grim fates of the other archangels who came before him. Some have succumbed to the darkness, while others have lost their way, now living broken lives within the city. He struggles to balance his divine purpose with his growing human emotions.
Discovering Jade
One of the key figures Gabriel seeks is Jade, also known as Amitiel, a former archangel who has fallen into drug addiction and prostitution. Gabriel tries to redeem her, hoping to restore her to her former glory and regain a powerful ally in his fight. Their connection becomes a critical element as Gabriel begins to understand the price of failure in Purgatory.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Gabriel (Andy Whitfield): The archangel tasked with restoring light to purgatory and saving the souls of its inhabitants by battling the Fallen.
- Sammael (Dwaine Stevenson): The lead fallen angel who controls purgatory and opposes Gabriel’s mission, wielding significant power and a dark secret.
- Jade (Samantha Noble): A fallen angel, formerly known as Amitiel, who turned to drugs and prostitution after losing her wings, and is later found by Gabriel.
- Asmodeus (Michael Piccirilli): One of the Fallen angels serving Sammael in the fight against Gabriel in Purgatory.
- Raphael (Jack Campbell): One of the Archangels who failed before Gabriel and becomes a key supporting figure in the fight against darkness.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Gabriel: “This enemy within is strong and unpredictable. Control these emotions or the fight cannot be won.” – This advice from Michael highlights Gabriel’s internal struggle with human emotions.
💰Box Office
- Budget: A$200,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $1,395,610
💥 Gabriel Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, ‘Gabriel’ is definitely one of those movies where you have to forgive the low budget to appreciate the cool ideas. I was immediately drawn in by the dark and gritty setting of Purgatory, it’s like a gothic comic book come to life. And the fight scenes? So stylish! I especially loved the strobe light shootout, even though I almost had a seizure. There were parts that were kind of cheesy but overall it was worth the watch for its sheer creativity and I found myself enjoying it quite a bit. Whitfield did a great job and I was rather impressed with the fight choreography.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dark fantasy and supernatural action movies”
- “Viewers interested in stories about angels and demons”
- “Those who appreciate low-budget films with creative visuals”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and action sequences”
- “Drug use and prostitution”
- “Mature themes and disturbing content”
- “Some sexual content”
Professional Reviews
- Sci-Fi Movie Fan: “Gabriel’s low budget shows, but its ambition and style are undeniable. The gritty, dark atmosphere is captivating, and the fight choreography is impressive for a smaller production. While the story occasionally falters, the visual flair and commitment of the cast make it a worthwhile watch for genre fans.
- Horror Reviewer: “This film brings a unique take on the angels vs demons trope, sets the world of Purgatory as very grim and intriguing, and offers lots of action with guns and swords. The story is rather inconsistent, but there are several things I did like about it. The use of strobing lights during action scenes was a very nice element.
Audience Reactions
Fans loved the film’s unique visual style and creative take on the angel mythology.: The movie’s gritty atmosphere and stylized action sequences were praised, despite budget limitations.
Overall Consensus: A visually striking but flawed film with a unique premise that’s appreciated more for its style and ambition than its execution.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was mostly funded out of the filmmakers’ own pockets.”
- “Director Shane Abbess worked multiple jobs, including building laborer, removalist, call center employee, and dockyard truck driver, to raise money for the film.”
- “Five weeks into shooting, when funds were running low, Abbess’s former boss provided enough money to complete the film.”
🖥️ How to Watch Gabriel?
Currently, ‘Gabriel’ is not available for streaming on major platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. Check for rental or purchase options on platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Vudu. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) may also be available for purchase online or in stores. Availability may vary depending on your region.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Gabriel, you might like these similar films:
- Constantine (2005): Deals with angels and demons in a modern, gritty setting, focusing on a supernatural battle for souls.
- The Crow (1994): Features a dark, gothic atmosphere with a resurrected protagonist seeking revenge.
- Legion (2010): Focuses on angels fighting to prevent the apocalypse and protect humanity.
🛒 Gabriel Related Products
- Archangel Gabriel Statue: A highly detailed statue depicting Archangel Gabriel in a dynamic pose. Perfect for collectors and fans of angelic lore.
- Angel Wings Costume Accessory: High-quality angel wings to complete a cosplay or costume inspired by the angelic warriors in ‘Gabriel’.
- Art of Gabriel: A digital art book featuring concept art, storyboards, and behind-the-scenes images from the making of ‘Gabriel’.
- Last Templar: Gabriel: A first-person RPG game where you play as one of the angels and fight evil forces.
🎧 Soundtrack
Gabriel features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
In ‘Gabriel,’ Purgatory is depicted as a dark, decaying city where souls await judgment. It is the battleground between angels and fallen angels, fighting for control over the souls residing there. The visual representation is a bleak urban landscape filled with vice and despair.
Sammael is initially presented as the leader of the Fallen, the primary antagonist to Gabriel. He is a cunning and powerful figure who has embraced the darkness of Purgatory. However, a twist reveals his true identity as Michael, a former archangel.
Jade, also known as Amitiel, is a fallen angel who has succumbed to the vices of Purgatory, becoming a drug addict and prostitute. Gabriel attempts to redeem her, offering her a chance at redemption and a return to her former glory. Her fate is intertwined with Gabriel’s ultimate sacrifice.
🔥 Bonus Content
CONSTANTINE (2005) Angels, Demons and self-loathing in L.A. EXPLORED
Ever wondered what’s *really* going on in Constantine? This video breaks down the movie’s complex themes and characters, making it way easier to understand. I never fully grasped the self-loathing aspect until I watched this!
▶ The full STORY of Gabriel VAN HELSING (Van Helsing 2004) 🐺
Want to know the *full* story behind Van Helsing’s Gabriel? This video dives deep into his past, revealing secrets you probably missed. Trust me, it makes the movie way more interesting!
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