Prince of Darkness (1987) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The ancient text discovered in the monastery reveals that the swirling green liquid is literally the embodiment of Satan himself, not merely a container for a demon but the actual physical form of the Devil. Professor Birack and the priest further theorize that Satan may be merely a spawn of an even more powerful entity called the Anti-God, which is connected to anti-matter. This makes the liquid a physical manifestation of cosmic evil rather than a traditional demonic presence.

Foreshadowing: The Brotherhood of Sleep's knowledge shared through dreams hints at the ancient and otherworldly nature of the entity.

• green liquid
• satan
• embodiment
• anti-god
• cylinder

The sentient liquid escapes from the cylinder in small bursts and invades its victims through bodily openings. Susan becomes the first victim when the liquid enters her throat, immediately transforming her into a harbinger of evil. The possession spreads through direct physical contact with the liquid or possibly through inhalation of its fumes. Once inside a person, the liquid corrupts their mind and transforms them into violent killers under its control.

Foreshadowing: The liquid's mysterious powers are hinted at when the priest first shows the cylinder to the team.

• possession
• green liquid
• susan
• transformation
• control

The Anti-God is theorized by Professor Birack and the priest as an entity even more powerful than Satan, existing as a cosmic force connected to anti-matter. They believe Satan may be merely a progeny or spawn of this greater evil, which exists in another dimension. Kelly attempts to summon the Anti-God through a mirror, eventually managing to draw its hand through and partially open a portal to its realm.

Foreshadowing: The cryptic cylinder contains powers far beyond ordinary demonic manifestations, hinting at cosmic-scale evil.

• anti-god
• anti-matter
• satan
• cosmic entity
• dimension

Kelly becomes possessed when Walter is trapped in a closet and unable to prevent the cylinder from being presented to the sleeping Kelly. The liquid infuses her body, transforming her into a powerful vessel for Satan with telekinetic and regenerative powers. She becomes the primary embodiment of the demonic force, attempting to use a mirror to summon the Anti-God into our world.

Foreshadowing: Kelly is described as an enigmatic figure among the group, and her dreams may connect her to the Brotherhood of Sleep's influence.

• kelly
• possession
• vessel
• satan
• telekinesis

Catherine is the only unpossessed member remaining when she confronts Kelly, who has become fully possessed. During their struggle, both women are hurled into the portal that Kelly opened to the Anti-God's dimension. The priest then shatters the mirror with an axe, sealing Kelly, the Anti-God, and Catherine in the alternate dimension together, sacrificing herself to stop the threat.

Foreshadowing: Catherine's role as a survivor throughout the possession events sets her up for the final confrontation.

• catherine
• kelly
• portal
• sacrifice
• mirror

The liquid's influence extends beyond the immediate group, affecting homeless individuals in the area who become entranced by the cylinder's power. These controlled homeless people form a mob that encircles the monastery, preventing anyone from escaping. Wyndham becomes the first to be killed by one of these possessed homeless individuals. The liquid appears to have a wider range of influence than initially thought, affecting anyone who comes into contact with it or its influence.

Foreshadowing: The team's isolation becomes apparent when escape attempts are met with grim deaths outside the monastery.

• homeless
• possession
• mob
• wyndham
• escape

The survivors experience haunting visions of a shadowy figure, which is described as a tachyon message from the future warning of impending doom. Each dream reveals more intricate details of a broadcast from 1999, hinting at an apocalyptic fate. These messages suggest that the events at the monastery are part of a larger temporal conflict, with the future sending warnings about the danger of the Anti-God and its vessel.

Foreshadowing: The Brotherhood of Sleep's dream-based knowledge sharing connects to the concept of messages across time.

• tachyon
• future
• dream
• warning
• broadcast

The priest breaks the mirror to seal the portal that Kelly has opened to the Anti-God's dimension. When Kelly manages to draw the Anti-God's hand through a larger wall mirror, she partially opens a portal to another realm. The priest uses an axe to shatter the mirror, which traps Kelly, the Anti-God, and Catherine inside the alternate dimension, preventing the Anti-God from fully entering our world.

Foreshadowing: Kelly's initial attempt with a compact mirror fails because it is too small, hinting that a larger mirror would work.

• priest
• mirror
• portal
• axe
• anti-god

In the unsettling conclusion, Brian experiences a dream where he confronts Catherine, who appears to be under Satan's control. This haunting vision reveals his ongoing psychological torment from the events at the monastery. However, the film reveals this is merely a foreboding vision, ending with Brian awakening with a scream and reaching for the surface of his bedroom mirror just before the screen fades to black, leaving ambiguous whether the horror is truly over.

Foreshadowing: The recurring dreams throughout the film and the Brotherhood of Sleep's connection to dream-based knowledge foreshadow this final vision.

• brian
• dream
• catherine
• mirror
• ending

While analyzing the ancient texts with computer assistance, the team uncovers shocking theories that Jesus Christ may have been an extraterrestrial being. According to the monastery texts, Jesus was condemned for heresy after attempting to warn humanity about the vessel containing Satan's essence. This revisionist theology suggests Jesus was trying to alert people about the green liquid but was executed for his warnings about this cosmic evil.

Foreshadowing: The Brotherhood of Sleep's knowledge through dreams hints at ancient, otherworldly wisdom kept hidden in the monastery.

• jesus
• extraterrestrial
• alien
• heresy
• monastery

The possession spreads methodically throughout the group: Susan becomes the first victim when the liquid invades her throat. Wyndham is killed by a possessed homeless person. Then Mullins, Lisa, Calder, and Dr. Leahy all succumb to the liquid's grasp. Lomax is killed by the possessed Mullins. Eventually Kelly becomes the main vessel for Satan. Throughout this escalation, anyone attempting to flee faces death at the hands of the entranced homeless mob.

Foreshadowing: The small bursts of liquid escaping the cylinder early on foreshadow the progressive possession of the group.

• possession
• order
• susan
• mullins
• kelly