City of Angels

City of Angels

Year: 1998

Runtime: 114 min

Language: English

Director: Brad Silberling

ThrillerFantasyRomance

An angel, Seth (Nicolas Cage), observes humanity from a hidden realm, interacting with humans invisibly. He finds himself drawn to Maggie (Meg Ryan), a dedicated heart surgeon, and develops a profound connection with her. Yearning for a life beyond his immortal existence, Seth makes the momentous decision to become mortal, embarking on a moving exploration of love, loss, and what it truly means to be human within the vibrant backdrop of Los Angeles.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen City of Angels yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

City of Angels (1998) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of City of Angels (1998), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In Los Angeles, a mechanic named Ashe Corven and his young son, Danny, fall victim to the ruthless drug kingpin, Judah Earl. Their tragic end comes after they witness a brutal murder committed by Judah’s gang. The two are subsequently disposed of in the sea.

Years later, Sarah—the character from the first film—has transformed into an adult who spends her days working in a tattoo parlor while she immerses herself in the creation of surreal artwork exploring themes of death and resurrection in her private space. Disturbing dreams of Ashe and Danny plague her, particularly after she contemplates a ring given to her by Eric Draven long ago.

On All Saints’ Day, Sarah is drawn by a crow to the harbor, where she witnesses the astonishing resurrection of Ashe from his watery grave. She brings him to her home, explaining the harsh truth of his death. Overcome with confusion, Ashe frantically escapes into the night, returning to confront the haunting memories of his last moments.

As Ashe grapples with his resurrection, Sarah reveals that he has been brought back to seek vengeance on those responsible for their deaths. With the crow as his guide, Ashe embarks on a deadly quest, methodically hunting down Judah’s henchmen. His first target is Spider-Monkey, a low-life situated in a drug-filled warehouse, where Ashe extracts critical information before destroying the building in an explosion.

Next, he finds Nemo hiding in a peeping booth and executes him in a macabre fashion, leaving behind a doll and a paper crow. Judah, aware of Ashe’s powers and his connection to Sarah, employs a blind prophetess named Sybil to manipulate the situation. To lure Ashe out, Judah captures Sarah, setting the stage for a dangerous confrontation.

In a climactic face-off with Kali, Ashe discovers she was responsible for Danny’s death. Blinded by rage, he throws her against a wall, injuring her before sending her flying out of a window in a burst of crow-shaped blood.

The ensuing motorcycle chase against Judah’s right-hand man, Curve, is intense. Ashe gains the upper hand, dragging Curve to his doom in a river as onlookers scatter flower petals in a poignant display.

As the Day of the Dead festival nears, Judah captures the crow, killing it to siphon Ashe’s powers. This act of treachery leaves Ashe vulnerable, nearly succumbing to despair. However, a vision of Danny inspires him to continue fighting, leading to an ultimate showdown in Judah’s hideout at an abandoned church.

In the heated battle, Ashe is overpowered by Judah, who prepares to hang him. However, Sarah intervenes, heroically stabbing Judah to save Ashe. Tragically, as Judah retaliates and fatally wounds Sarah, Ashe harnesses his final strength against Judah, ultimately calling upon a murder of crows that exacts a gruesome revenge on the kingpin.

In a heart-wrenching conclusion, Ashe cradles the dying Sarah, their moment mirroring one of her previously painted works. Ashe embraces his fate, knowing he will finally find peace alongside Sarah and Danny in death.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 22:01

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Movies about immortal sacrifice like City of Angels

Immortal beings who choose mortal lives for the weight of human love.If you were moved by Seth's choice in 'City of Angels,' this collection features similar movies where supernatural beings grapple with their nature and choose a mortal existence. Discover other films about angels, vampires, and other entities who trade eternity for the powerful, bittersweet experience of human love.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a supernatural being who is an observer of humanity. Through a powerful connection with a specific human—often a romance—they experience emotions like love or grief for the first time. This leads to a pivotal, irreversible decision to become mortal, exploring the joys and profound sorrows of their new, temporary life.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their central theme of supernatural sacrifice for love. They share a tone that is both romantic and melancholic, a heavy emotional weight from the inherent tragedy of the choice, and a bittersweet ending feel that questions whether the brief human experience was worth the loss of eternity.

Bittersweet fantasy romance movies like City of Angels

Fantastical love stories where joy is inextricably woven with profound sadness.For viewers who appreciated the tragic yet beautiful romance in 'City of Angels,' this section highlights similar emotionally heavy fantasy love stories. Find movies like this where love between humans and otherworldly beings is profound but comes with a great cost, leading to poignant and bittersweet endings.

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Narrative Summary

The stories often center on a seemingly impossible romance, such as between a human and a supernatural entity. The central conflict revolves around the inherent barriers to their love—mortality, different realms, or a tragic fate. The emotional journey is intense, focusing on the beauty of their connection while building towards a conclusion that involves significant loss or sacrifice, creating a feeling of poignant beauty tinged with sadness.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core combination of romance and fantasy genres, filtered through a dark or melancholic tone. They are united by a high emotional weight, a focus on the theme of loss, and most importantly, a bittersweet ending that acknowledges the pain of sacrifice while honoring the beauty of the love that was found.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in City of Angels

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Characters, Settings & Themes in City of Angels

City of Angels Spoiler-Free Summary

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City of Angels Spoiler-Free Summary

More About City of Angels

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