FALLEN

FALLEN is an unusually serious horror film. Its treatment of demonic possession, spiritual warfare, and theological questions has real weight, and the acting and craftsmanship give credibility to those discussions. It presents God as sovereign Creator and humanity as a moral experiment.

But the film’s answer to evil is incomplete. It never looks to Jesus, the only answer to demonic attack identified by the source review. Instead, Detective John Hobbs tries to defeat evil through his own strategy, and the story may leave susceptible viewers feeling that evil is powerful enough to get its way.

The practical answer is clear: discerning adults may find FALLEN worthwhile, but it is not appropriate for children or young teens.

Detective John Hobbs has brought a vicious murderer, Edgar Reese, to justice. Before Reese dies, he whispers a strange riddle to Hobbs.

Soon afterward, another murder follows Reese’s distinctive pattern, and the same riddle appears at the crime scene. As more killings occur, Hobbs investigates a mystery that leads from police records and an ancient language to the possibility that a fallen angel is passing from person to person.

Three stars means FALLEN is a strong, worthwhile horror film that does not fulfill its potential. Several scenes dealing with demonic oppression and possession rank among Hollywood’s best on the subject.

The acting and craftsmanship give deep credibility to the film’s theological discussions. Its central ideas are substantial, and it works as a cautionary tale about the spiritual realm. Still, the movie’s moral and theological conclusion is incomplete, because it never comes to grips with the answer to demonic attack.

FALLEN takes spiritual realities seriously. It presents God as the sovereign Creator and humanity as a moral experiment. It also focuses heavily on fallen angels and demons, combining Christian references with occult references and theological discussions.

The film’s strength is its recognition that evil is not merely psychological or imaginary. Its weakness is that it does not look to Jesus for the answer. Hobbs attempts to defeat the fallen angel by tricking it, while the story risks portraying evil as powerful enough to get its own way. That may reinforce occult fallacies in susceptible minds that focus on the bad without focusing on the good.

The film’s longing for protection from demonic evil points beyond human cleverness. Scripture says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

FALLEN is thoughtful, well-crafted supernatural horror with serious theological concerns. Its treatment of spiritual warfare is often powerful, but its failure to point to Jesus leaves the film spiritually incomplete. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For family viewing, choose something else.