Fallen

Fallen

Year: 1998

Runtime: 124 mins

Language: English

Director: Gregory Hoblit

ThrillerDramaCrimeHorror

Detective John Hobbes, a homicide investigator, watches the execution of notorious serial killer Edgar Reese. Though Reese is dead, a fresh wave of murders erupts, each echoing the exact modus operandi that Reese perfected. Hobbes becomes obsessed with finding the source, convinced the killer he thought he’d already caught has somehow returned.

Fallen (1998) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Fallen (1998) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the rain‑slick streets of Philadelphia, a city that never quite sleeps, the weight of old sins hangs heavy over every precinct. John Hobbes is a homicide detective whose methodical mind is matched only by the quiet intensity he brings to a job that demands both compassion and steel. He moves through a world where the line between justice and obsession blurs, and every case feels like a ripple in a darkness that refuses to stay submerged.

The film opens with the stark, solemn ceremony of an execution, where Edgar Reese—the notorious serial killer whose name has become a whisper of fear across the city—faces his final moment. The atmosphere is thick with the unspoken question of whether evil ever truly dies, and Hobbes watches, his stare fixed not just on the condemned man but on the lingering echo of the terror he unleashed.

When the state’s final breath leaves Reese, the city is jolted by a new series of murders that mirror the exact signatures of the slain monster. The crimes feel like a macabre reenactment, as if the killer’s hand has somehow slipped back into the shadows. Hobbes, haunted by the memory of Reese’s cold stare, becomes fixated on uncovering the source of this uncanny resurgence, fearing that the nightmare he thought was over has slipped through the cracks of the legal system.

The tone is unrelenting, a blend of gritty procedural realism and a subtle, unsettling dread that hints at forces beyond ordinary comprehension. As Hobbes delves deeper, the film paints a portrait of a man wrestling with his own doubts, the ghosts of a case that refuses to rest, and a city that seems to pulse with an unseen, relentless heartbeat. The stage is set for a tense, atmospheric pursuit—one that will test the limits of belief, duty, and the shadows that linger long after the lights go out.

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:34

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Paranoid supernatural thrillers like Fallen

Protagonists hunting a malevolent, unseen force that outsmarts them at every turn.If you liked the tense hunt for a demonic entity in Fallen, you'll find similar stories here. These movies feature protagonists facing an ancient, unseen evil that toys with them, creating a pervasive atmosphere of dread and suspicion, much like the battle against Azazel.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a methodical investigation that slowly uncovers supernatural rules and a pervasive evil. The protagonist's logic and bravery are constantly challenged by an enemy that can possess others, creating a sense of betrayal and isolation. The journey is typically one of escalating psychological torment and high-stakes confrontation.

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Movies in this thread share a core premise of a rational protagonist confronting an irrational, powerful foe. They are united by a dark, oppressive tone, a steady pace of discovery, and the heavy emotional weight of fighting a battle that often costs the hero everything.

Atmospheric thrillers with slow burn dread like Fallen

Stories where a palpable sense of doom slowly consumes the characters.For viewers who appreciated the heavy, suspenseful atmosphere of Fallen, this thread collects movies with a similar vibe. These films use a steady pace to build palpable dread, focusing on psychological torment and a pervasive feeling of helplessness against a overwhelming force.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative unfolds with a deliberate pace, prioritizing mood and psychological tension over rapid plot twists. The protagonist's world gradually closes in as an external threat reveals its power, leading to a climactic confrontation that is emotionally and morally costly. The endings often leave a lingering sense of ambiguity or futility.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared commitment to building a specific mood—one of sustained tension, fear, and melancholic doom. They feature similar pacing, a dark tone, and a high level of intensity that comes from psychological pressure rather than constant action.

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Fallen Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Fallen

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Fallen

More About Fallen

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