The Prophecy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Christopher Walken, an angel with serious daddy issues, throws a heavenly hissy fit because God likes humans more, so he tries to find the ultimate bad guy’s soul to ruin everything, but Lucifer’s not having any of it because competition is bad for business.

🍿 The Prophecy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Priest’s Doubt and a Detective’s Case

Thomas Dagget, a former priest haunted by visions, becomes a Los Angeles homicide detective. He investigates a bizarre murder, discovering an unexplainable body and a missing chapter of the Book of Revelation. This suggests a hidden war in Heaven, a concept Dagget struggles to reconcile with his lost faith. The discovery sets him on a path that will challenge everything he thought he knew about good and evil.

The Arrival of Angels

Two angels, Simon and Uziel, descend to Earth. Simon warns Dagget of impending events, while Uziel seeks to destroy Simon. Their conflict reveals that a second war in Heaven is brewing, driven by angels who resent God’s favor towards humanity. This war spills onto Earth, turning the world into a battleground for celestial forces. The discovery of a ‘dark soul’ becomes central to the conflict, holding the power to tip the scales of the war.

Gabriel’s Hunt and the Hidden Soul

The Archangel Gabriel arrives on Earth, seeking the ‘dark soul’ to bolster his forces. He recruits human helpers, including Jerry, a tormented soul pulled from the brink of suicide. Gabriel’s ruthless pursuit leads him to Chimney Rock, Arizona, where the soul is hidden within a young Native American girl named Mary. As Mary falls ill, her teacher Katherine joins Dagget in a race against time to protect her from Gabriel’s grasp.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Det. Thomas Dagget (Elias Koteas): A former priest turned homicide detective who investigates a bizarre murder connected to a heavenly prophecy.
• Gabriel (Christopher Walken): A powerful and rebellious archangel leading a war against God and humanity.
• Katherine (Virginia Madsen): An elementary school teacher who becomes an unlikely ally to Dagget in stopping Gabriel.
• Simon (Eric Stoltz): A good angel who tries to protect humanity by hiding a dark soul from Gabriel.
• Lucifer (Viggo Mortensen): The ruler of Hell who intervenes in the war between angels to prevent a disruption of his own domain.
• Jerry (Adam Goldberg): A suicide who becomes Gabriel’s unwilling human servant.
• Mary (Moriah ‘Shining Dove’ Snyder): A young Native American girl who becomes the vessel for a powerful and dangerous soul.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Gabriel: “I’m an angel. I kill firstborns while their mamas watch. I turn cities into salt.” – Gabriel explains his nature to Dagget, emphasizing his power and lack of remorse.
• Gabriel: “I even, when I feel like it, rip the souls from little girls, and from now till kingdom come, the only thing you can count on in your existence is never understanding why.” – Gabriel continues his menacing speech, highlighting the arbitrary nature of his actions and the despair it causes.
• Lucifer: “You think I’m bad? These are the guys who kicked me out!” – Lucifer explains to Katherine how angels created a world of torture.
• Lucifer: “The whole system is rotten: I’m just the B team.” – Lucifer continues to show Katherine the depravity and chaos that the war with Heaven has brought to his realm.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $16,115,878
• Worldwide Gross: $16,115,878

💥 The Prophecy Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this movie as a teenager and being genuinely creeped out by Christopher Walken. He was just so unsettling! The concept of angels as these ruthless beings was so different from what I’d grown up with. Viggo Mortensen’s Lucifer, even with limited screen time, stole every scene. The whole ‘war in heaven’ thing was a bit confusing, but the atmosphere and performances kept me hooked. The ending was a bit cheesy, but overall, it’s a movie that stuck with me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Christopher Walken.”
  • “Viewers interested in supernatural thrillers with religious themes.”
  • “Those who enjoy films that explore the battle between good and evil.”
  • “Fans of 90s cult classic movies.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Religious themes that may be offensive to some viewers”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Profanity”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Walken’s chilling performance as Gabriel elevates a potentially campy premise. The film blends religious horror with noir elements, creating a unique atmosphere, even if the plot occasionally meanders. Mortensen’s brief but impactful appearance as Lucifer adds another layer of intrigue.
• Los Angeles Times: “The Prophecy is a stylish thriller that successfully combines elements of crime drama with theological horror. While the film’s religious themes are intriguing, it occasionally falters with overwrought dialogue and a reliance on horror clichés. Walken’s performance, however, is a standout.

Audience Reactions

Christopher Walken’s portrayal of Gabriel is iconic and unforgettable.: Most viewers praise Walken’s performance, the film’s unique take on angels, and its dark, atmospheric tone.

The ending is somewhat anticlimactic and weakens the overall impact.: Some people find the conclusion of the film to be rushed and underwhelming, compared to the build-up of the plot.

Overall Consensus: A dark and atmospheric thriller elevated by Christopher Walken’s compelling performance and an intriguing premise, despite some narrative flaws and a weaker ending.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Gregory Widen originally wrote ‘The Prophecy’ as a spec script intending it to be a low-budget horror film. He was surprised when it attracted such a high-caliber cast.”
• “Christopher Walken improvised many of his lines, adding his signature quirky delivery to the character of Gabriel. This gave the character a unique blend of menace and dark humor.”
• “Viggo Mortensen’s portrayal of Lucifer was initially conceived as a smaller role, but his performance was so captivating that his screen time was expanded during editing.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Prophecy?

As of October 2024, ‘The Prophecy’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for potential streaming availability or cable on-demand options. DVD and Blu-ray versions are also available for purchase from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Prophecy, you might like these similar films:

• Dogma (1999): A satirical take on religious dogma featuring angels and demons with a similar dark humor.
• Constantine (2005): Deals with angels, demons, and the battle for souls on Earth, with a dark and gritty tone.
• Legion (2010): Features a war between angels and humanity, similar apocalyptic themes.
• Prince of Darkness (1987): A John Carpenter film that explores the nature of evil and religious concepts in a unique, unsettling way.
• Stigmata (1999): A supernatural thriller involving religious elements and prophecies, with a focus on faith and doubt.

🛒 The Prophecy Related Products

• The Prophecy Collection (Blu-ray): This collection features all five Prophecy movies. It is perfect for fans wanting to explore the entire saga.
• Christopher Walken Signed Photo: A rare autographed photograph of Christopher Walken as Gabriel.
• Angel Gabriel Funko Pop: A unique Funko Pop figurine depicting Christopher Walken as the Archangel Gabriel from ‘The Prophecy’.
• The Prophecy Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original movie poster for ‘The Prophecy’.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Prophecy features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Gloria Laus” – performed by The Choir Of Monks Of Saint-Benoit Du Lac
• “Ave Maria” – performed by Various (Gregorian Chant)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Lucifer eats Gabriel’s Heart

Remember that totally bonkers scene where Lucifer eats Gabriel’s heart? It’s right here! Seriously, you HAVE to see this again – it’s pure, uncut ‘The Prophecy’ weirdness!

The Prophecy III: The Ascent Best Gabriel Scenes

Christopher Walken as Gabriel is *chef’s kiss*. This is a glorious compilation of his best scenes, even if it’s from the third movie! Honestly, Walken makes the whole series worth watching.

✨ Rate