Year: 1999
Runtime: 121 min
Language: English
Director: Peter Hyams
As the year 2000 approaches, New York City is gripped by fear and unsettling signs of impending doom. A former police officer, now haunted by his past, finds himself thrust into a desperate mission to stop Satan’s return and prevent the birth of the anti-Christ. He must protect a woman unknowingly chosen to carry the child who will determine the future of humanity, racing against time to avert an apocalyptic event.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen End of Days 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of End of Days (1999), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In 1979, a newborn girl named Christine York is marked by Satanists, including her doctor, Dr. Abel, and her guardian, Mabel, as the one destined to bear Satan’s son during the final hour of New Year’s Eve, 1999. This revelation comes about as a priest at the Vatican observes a celestial comet, referred to as the “Eye of God,” signaling the birth of this pivotal figure. Tasked by the Pope, the priest embarks on a mission to protect Christine from the impending evil. However, a faction of Vatican Knights, led by a corrupted cardinal, contends that she must be eliminated to thwart Satan’s plans—a notion opposed by most of the clergy, including the Pope, who believe that taking a life to stop evil is inherently sinful.
Fast forward twenty years to the end of 1999, where retired cop Jericho Cane (Arnold Schwarzenegger) grapples with deep sorrow following the brutal murder of his wife and daughter at the hands of hit men. He now works for an elite security firm alongside his friend Bobby Chicago. During an assignment to protect a Wall Street banker, they find themselves ambushed by a priest named Thomas Aquinas. Upon capturing him, they unwittingly uncover that the banker is under Satan’s possession and possesses formidable powers. As fate would have it, Satan brutally eliminates Aquinas, crucifying him on a hospital ceiling.
Determined to protect Christine, Jericho and Bobby begin their search for her after discovering vital clues inscribed on Aquinas’s skin. After rescuing the now-adult Christine York from an assassination attempt by the Vatican Knights, tragedy strikes when Satan appears and blows up their getaway van, claiming Bobby’s life in the explosion. As chaos ensues, Jericho confronts Mabel—a woman possessed by a supernatural force—who proves a formidable adversary despite her age.
With tensions rising, Jericho faces off against corrupt police officers, including Marge, his old superior, who are in league with Satan. After an intense confrontation, he faces demonic retribution when Satan resurrects Marge to further his own plans, sending the police on a search for Jericho and Christine. Seeking refuge, the duo turns to Father Kovak, who elucidates the dire situation: Satan aims to unite with Christine as part of a centuries-old prophecy.
“Satan’s greatest trick was to convince mankind that he does not exist.”
Understanding the grave stakes, Jericho urges Christine to go into hiding. However, she chooses to remain with Kovak, leading to a confrontation with Jericho’s inner turmoil as Satan attempts to manipulate him using visions of his lost family. When Jericho finally resolves to save Christine, his efforts draw him into a cat-and-mouse game with the Vatican Knights, who are also pursuing her.
As the tension escalates, Jericho’s determination leads him to a climactic battle between good and evil, where personal sacrifices are made, and loyalties are tested. Betrayed by Bobby, and ambushed by Satan’s forces, Jericho fights back against overwhelming odds. After a fierce battle within Satan’s hideaway, he and Christine make a desperate escape into a subway car. In a final showdown, Jericho uses a grenade launcher to force an escape from the collapsing train, leaving Satan scrambling for a new host after destroying the banker’s form.
No longer able to evade his destiny, Jericho finds himself in a church, praying for strength as Satan emerges in his true, monstrous form. In an intense battle for control, Jericho uses a statue of Saint Michael to free himself from Satan’s grasp in a final act of redemption, enabling Christine’s survival just as the clock strikes midnight. As the year 2000 dawns, Satan is cast back into the abyss, leaving Jericho to witness the serene vision of his family before he passes on, knowing his sacrifice saved Christine and prevented darkness from consuming the world. With New York rejoicing, Christine expresses her heartfelt gratitude to Jericho, forever changed by the extraordinary events of that fateful night.
Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:47
Don't stop at just watching — explore End of Days in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what End of Days is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of End of Days with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like End of Days that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
End of Days (1999) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
End of Days (1999) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like End of Days – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
These Final Hours (2015) Complete Plot Breakdown
Daylight's End (2016) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Final Conflict (1981) Full Summary & Key Details
4:44 Last Day on Earth (2012) Complete Plot Breakdown
2012 (2009) Full Summary & Key Details
Doomsday (2008) Full Movie Breakdown
Legion (2010) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
How It Ends (2018) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Armageddon (1998) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Day After Tomorrow (2004) Full Summary & Key Details
Daybreakers (2010) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) Full Movie Breakdown
Skyline (2010) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Endzeit - Ever After (2019) Movie Recap & Themes
The End We Start From (2023) Story Summary & Characters