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End of Days (1999) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1999 · 121 min · English
Directed by
Peter Hyams
Starring
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Byrne, Robin Tunney
Budget
$100M

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.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (16)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like End of Days
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch End of Days (1999)

Where can you watch End of Days? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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16 events in order · contains spoilers

End of Days Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of End of Days (1999) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Christine's Marking

    In 1979, a newborn girl named Christine York is marked by Satanists, including her doctor and her guardian. This marking signifies her fate as the one destined to bear Satan's son during the climactic moment of New Year's Eve, 1999.

    When
    1979
  2. The Eye of God

    A priest at the Vatican witnesses a celestial comet, known as the 'Eye of God,' marking the impending birth of a pivotal figure. This celestial event elevates concern among church leaders regarding Christine's safety and potential fate.

    Where
    Vatican
  3. Papal Mission

    The Pope assigns the priest to protect Christine from the evil forces plotting against her. However, a group of Vatican Knights believes the only way to prevent Satan's rise is to eliminate Christine, opposing the Pope's directive.

  4. Jericho's Loss

    Fast forward twenty years to the end of 1999, retired cop Jericho Cane is devastated by the brutal murder of his wife and daughter by hitmen. This personal tragedy leaves him emotionally scarred and changes his view on life.

    When
    1999
  5. Ambush and Revelation

    While working security for a Wall Street banker, Jericho and his partner Bobby Chicago are ambushed by the priest Thomas Aquinas. Upon capturing him, they discover that the banker is possessed by Satan and possesses immense power.

  6. Aquinas's Fate

    Satan brutally eliminates Aquinas by crucifying him on a hospital ceiling, showcasing his power and intent. This horrifying act propels Jericho into a desperate mission to protect Christine and unravel the unfolding chaos.

    Where
    Hospital
  7. Finding Christine

    Jericho and Bobby, upon realizing the threat to Christine, begin their quest to locate her. They decode vital clues found on Aquinas's skin, guiding them toward her location and providing hope amid the turmoil.

  8. Assassination Attempt

    After locating Christine York, the duo successfully rescues her from an assassination attempt by the Vatican Knights. However, tragedy ensues when Satan reveals himself, destroying their escape vehicle and killing Bobby in the explosion.

  9. Confrontation with Mabel

    Jericho faces Mabel, Christine's guardian, who has become possessed by a supernatural force. Despite her age, she proves to be a fierce adversary, complicating Jericho's mission to protect Christine.

  10. Corrupted Allies

    As tensions rise, Jericho confronts corrupt police officers, including his former superior Marge, who are allied with Satan. This betrayal expands the peril surrounding Jericho and Christine as they seek sanctuary.

  11. Father Kovak's Revelation

    In their search for safety, Jericho and Christine meet Father Kovak, who explains Satan's grand plan to unite with her as part of a long-standing prophecy. This revelation stresses the urgency of their situation and elevates Jericho's determination to protect her.

  12. Christine's Decision

    Despite Jericho's insistence for her to hide, Christine decides to stay with Father Kovak. This choice ignites a conflict within Jericho as he must navigate his own fears and the manipulative tactics of Satan.

  13. Cat and Mouse Game

    Jericho's resolve to save Christine leads him into a harrowing game of cat and mouse with the Vatican Knights. Their pursuit culminates in chaotic clashes that push Jericho's skills and determination to the limit.

  14. Climactic Showdown

    In the climactic battle, Jericho faces overwhelming odds against Satan’s forces, culminating in a fierce confrontation within Satan's stronghold. The stakes are personal, and betrayal lurks as he fights to save Christine.

  15. Redemption and Sacrifice

    Jericho, praying for strength in a church, confronts Satan in his true form. Through a final act of redemption using a statue of Saint Michael, he enables Christine's survival just as midnight strikes, fulfilling his destiny.

    When
    New Year's Eve, 1999
    Where
    Church
  16. Dawn of Year 2000

    With the clock striking midnight, Satan is cast back into the abyss, and Jericho witnesses a vision of his family. His sacrifice saved Christine and prevented the forces of darkness from obliterating the world.

    When
    Year 2000
    Where
    New York

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:47

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Timeline questions answered

End of Days Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of End of Days (1999): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Christine York marked by Satanists as a newborn?

In 1979, Christine York was marked by Satanists, including her own doctor and guardian Mabel, because she was destined to bear Satan's son during the final hour of New Year's Eve 1999. This marking identified her as the key component in a centuries-old prophecy for Satan's return. The Vatican became aware of this fate when a priest observed a celestial comet known as the 'Eye of God,' signaling the birth of this pivotal figure who would either bring about the anti-Christ or serve as the vessel for Satan's reincarnation.

Foreshadowing: The marking of Christine as an infant sets up the entire conflict that drives the story toward its Year 2000 climax.

  • christine york
  • satan
  • prophecy
  • marking
  • vatican
  • birth
Q2

Why did the Vatican Knights want to kill Christine instead of protecting her?

A faction of Vatican Knights, led by a corrupted cardinal, believed the only way to prevent Satan's rise was to eliminate Christine before she could fulfill the prophecy. They argued that killing one innocent person was justified to stop the birth of the anti-Christ and prevent worldwide evil. However, the Pope and most of the clergy opposed this approach, believing that taking an innocent life to stop evil is inherently sinful. This created a internal church conflict between those who wanted to protect Christine and those who believed she must be eliminated.

Foreshadowing: The Vatican Knights' willingness to kill Christine creates an additional threat beyond Satan himself, forcing Jericho to protect her from both demonic and human forces.

  • vatican knights
  • cardinal
  • christine
  • assassination
  • prophecy
Q3

How was Satan able to possess the Wall Street banker?

Satan possessed the Wall Street banker and used him as a host body to move freely in the mortal world. When Jericho and his partner Bobby were assigned to protect the banker, they were ambushed by Father Thomas Aquinas, who was trying to stop the banker. Upon capturing Aquinas, they discovered the banker was under Satan's possession and possessed formidable supernatural powers. This was part of Satan's plan to orchestrate events leading up to the New Year's Eve climax, using the banker as one of many vessels and pawns in his scheme.

Foreshadowing: The banker's possession demonstrates Satan's ability to inhabit human bodies, foreshadowing the various forms he would take throughout the film.

  • satan
  • possession
  • wall street banker
  • host body
  • demons
Q4

What was the significance of the 'Eye of God' comet seen at the Vatican?

The 'Eye of God' was a celestial comet observed by a priest at the Vatican in 1979, marking the birth of the pivotal figure destined to play a central role in the battle between good and evil. This celestial event signaled Christine York's significance and elevated concern among church leaders regarding her safety and potential fate. The Vatican understood this as a divine warning about the impending arrival of either the anti-Christ or the vessel through which Satan would attempt to return.

Foreshadowing: The comet's appearance in 1979 directly correlates with Christine's marking, establishing the cosmic stakes of the narrative from the very beginning.

  • eye of god
  • comet
  • vatican
  • prophecy
  • celestial event
Q5

Why did Bobby Chicago betray Jericho and work with Satan?

Bobby Chicago, Jericho's closest friend and partner, was revealed to have been betrayed by Satan's forces. While the exact mechanism of his turn is not fully detailed in the summary, he is mentioned as being killed by Satan in an explosion after the group rescues Christine. Later, he appears to work against Jericho during the climactic events. The betrayal was part of Satan's manipulation tactics, as he systematically targeted everyone close to Jericho, using both physical violence and psychological manipulation to turn allies against the protagonist.

Foreshadowing: Satan's pattern of manipulating those close to Jericho, including showing him visions of his dead family, establishes his willingness to use betrayal as a weapon.

  • bobby chicago
  • betrayal
  • jericho
  • allies
  • satan manipulation
Q6

How did Jericho manage to defeat Satan in the church at the end?

In the final confrontation, Jericho found himself alone in a church praying for strength as Satan appeared in his true monstrous form. Through a desperate act of redemption, Jericho used a statue of Saint Michael, the archangel who defeated Satan in biblical tradition, to break free from Satan's grasp. This symbolic weapon, representing divine power over evil, allowed Jericho to cast Satan back into the abyss just as the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2000. The victory came at the cost of Jericho's own life, as he sacrificed himself to prevent Satan from consuming the world.

Foreshadowing: The repeated references to Saint Michael throughout the narrative, including in the church setting, foreshadow this climactic use of the statue as the ultimate weapon against demonic forces.

  • saint michael
  • statue
  • church
  • battle
  • sacrifice
  • defeat
Q7

Why did Jericho have to sacrifice his life at the end?

Jericho's sacrifice was necessary because confronting Satan in his true form required a cost, Jericho had to give up his own life to cast the demon back into the abyss. After using the Saint Michael statue to break Satan's hold on him, Jericho witnessed a vision of his family in a serene, peaceful setting before passing on. His death represented the ultimate redemption for a man who had lost everything to violence, allowing him to save both Christine and humanity while finally reuniting with his murdered wife and daughter in death.

Foreshadowing: Jericho's deep sorrow over his family's murder and his journey toward accepting their loss foreshadow his ultimate reunion with them through sacrifice.

  • sacrifice
  • death
  • jericho
  • family
  • redemption
  • afterlife
Q8

What was Father Kovak's role in stopping Satan's plan?

Father Kovak was a priest who helped explain Satan's grand plan to Jericho and Christine. He revealed that Satan aimed to unite with Christine as part of a centuries-old prophecy, which would allow him to father the anti-Christ and return to power. When Jericho urged Christine to go into hiding, she chose to remain with Father Kovak instead, leading to further conflict. Kovak served as the spiritual guide who helped them understand the stakes and provided sanctuary, though he was ultimately unable to prevent the final confrontation between Jericho and Satan.

Foreshadowing: Father Kovak's explanation of the prophecy establishes the religious and supernatural framework that governs the story's rules and limitations.

  • father kovak
  • priest
  • prophecy
  • satan plan
  • explanation
Q9

How did Satan manipulate Jericho throughout the film?

Satan manipulated Jericho primarily through psychological tactics, including sending visions of his murdered wife and daughter to weaken his resolve and draw him into temptation. He attempted to convince Jericho that resistance was futile and used the traumatic loss of his family against him. Additionally, Satan corrupted those close to Jericho, including his former police superior Marge and potentially Bobby Chicago, turning law enforcement against him. These manipulations were part of Satan's belief that 'his greatest trick was to convince mankind that he does not exist,' making his adversaries doubt both his presence and their ability to fight him.

Foreshadowing: Satan's manipulation of Jericho using family visions demonstrates his knowledge of each person's deepest vulnerabilities, a tactic he employed consistently throughout the narrative.

  • satan
  • manipulation
  • visions
  • family
  • psychological warfare
  • temptation
Q10

Why did Satan crucify Father Thomas Aquinas on the hospital ceiling?

Satan brutally eliminated Father Thomas Aquinas by crucifying him on a hospital ceiling as a demonstration of his immense power and to send a clear message to anyone who opposed him. Aquinas had been actively trying to stop the banker possessed by Satan, ambushing Jericho and Bobby during their security assignment. By crucifying the priest in such a horrifying and public manner, Satan showcased his ability to transcend physical boundaries and his willingness to kill anyone who stood in his way. This act also served to propel Jericho into the mission by revealing the supernatural threat he was facing.

Foreshadowing: Aquinas's brutal death establishes the extreme danger Jericho faces and foreshadows the violent encounters that will follow.

  • thomas aquinas
  • crucifixion
  • hospital
  • satan
  • killing
  • priest
Q11

Why were the corrupt police officers, including Marge, working with Satan?

Jericho's former superior, Marge, and other police officers were corrupted and working with Satan as part of his scheme to control earthly forces. After an intense confrontation, Satan resurrected Marge specifically to further his plans, sending the police on a relentless search for Jericho and Christine. This corruption represented Satan's infiltration of both supernatural and human institutions, demonstrating how his influence extended beyond demonic entities into positions of earthly power. The betrayal by someone from Jericho's past added personal stakes to the conflict.

Foreshadowing: The corruption of law enforcement illustrates Satan's strategy of controlling both spiritual and political realms to achieve his goals.

  • corrupt police
  • marge
  • satan
  • infiltration
  • betrayal
  • law enforcement
Q12

Why was Mabel, Christine's guardian, possessed by a supernatural force?

Mabel, who had been Christine's guardian since her marking in 1979, became possessed by a supernatural force sent by Satan to ensure Christine remained within his reach. When Jericho confronted Mabel, she proved to be a formidable adversary despite her age, using supernatural abilities to fight against him. This possession demonstrated that Satan had infiltrated Christine's immediate circle from the beginning, using her own guardian as a tool to monitor and control her until the prophesied moment. Mabel's role as both protector and prisoner added complexity to Jericho's mission to rescue Christine.

Foreshadowing: Mabel's possession, revealed twenty years after Christine's marking, shows the long-term nature of Satan's planning and his patience in executing the prophecy.

  • mabel
  • possession
  • guardian
  • supernatural
  • christine
  • protection
Q13

Why was New Year's Eve 1999 the critical deadline for Satan's return?

The year 2000 represented a significant apocalyptic deadline because occult beliefs held that the transition from 1999 to 2000, a major calendar change marking a new millennium, would create a spiritual gateway powerful enough for Satan's full return. Christine was specifically marked to bear Satan's son during the 'final hour' of December 31, 1999, making midnight on New Year's Eve the exact moment when the prophecy would be fulfilled or failed. This created the urgent countdown that drove the entire narrative, with both heaven and hell racing against time.

Foreshadowing: The mounting tension throughout the film as the clock approaches midnight establishes the inevitable deadline that all characters are racing against.

  • new years eve 1999
  • deadline
  • millennium
  • midnight
  • apocalypse
  • prophecy

Movie threads

More Movies Like End of Days, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes End of Days tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Apocalyptic Deadline Thrillers like End of Days

High-stakes races against time to avert world-ending catastrophes. If you enjoyed the relentless countdown to the millennium in End of Days, this thread gathers movies with similar apocalyptic stakes. These films feature a fast-paced race against time to prevent global catastrophe, blending intense action with dark, high-pressure scenarios.

  • apocalyptic
  • intense
  • thrilling
  • desperate
  • urgent
  • sinister
  • Tone: dark, desperate
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a linear, high-tension structure centered on an impending, world-altering event. A protagonist, often burdened by a personal past, is forced into a mission to stop the apocalypse, facing a series of escalating obstacles and confrontations leading to a final, decisive clash at the deadline.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core premise of a ticking clock on an apocalyptic scale. They deliver a consistent vibe of desperation and intensity through fast pacing, dark tones, and the immense weight of the central conflict, creating a gripping, edge-of-your-seat experience.

Movies about Redemption vs Cosmic Evil like End of Days

Flawed heroes find purpose in a final, sacrificial battle against darkness. For viewers who appreciated the personal redemption arc within a grand battle against Satan in End of Days. This collection features films where a troubled hero's path to absolution involves a sacrificial struggle against supernatural or divine forces of evil.

  • redemptive
  • oppressive
  • sinister
  • heavy
  • sacrificial
  • desperate
  • Tone: dark, heavy, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, intense
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative arc intertwines a character's internal struggle with grief, guilt, or loss with an external, existential threat. The protagonist's path to reclaiming their humanity or finding peace requires confronting a manifestation of ultimate evil, with victory often coming at the ultimate personal cost.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their fusion of heavy emotional weight from personal redemption arcs with the high-stakes tension of a battle against cosmic evil. They share a dark, serious tone and deliver endings that are triumphant yet somber, focusing on sacrifice as the price of salvation.

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Every angle

End of Days (1999) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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