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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of The Prophecy (1995). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


In the gripping prologue, Thomas Dagget is on the verge of being ordained as a priest when he is plagued by terrifying visions of angels engaged in a celestial battle. Fast forward several years, after having lost his faith and forsaken the church, Thomas has become a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. The celestial drama intensifies when two angels crash to Earth: the first, Simon, gives a stark warning to Thomas about the impending chaos before vanishing into thin air. The second angel, Uziel (played by Jeff Cadiente), hunts down Simon but meets his demise in the attempt.

As Thomas investigates the disturbance, he discovers an obituary for Arnold Hawthorne, a recently deceased Korean War veteran, alongside a copy of a theology text he wrote long ago. In an eerie twist, Simon, at Chimney Rock, forcibly extracts a soul from the veteran’s lifeless body. The medical examiner presents Thomas with the corpse of Uziel, revealing astonishing anomalies—no eyes, the absence of bone development, and odd blood chemistry reminiscent of an aborted fetus. Among Uziel’s remains lies an ancient Bible containing a unique twenty-third chapter of the Book of Revelation, outlining a second heavenly war fueled by angels’ dissent against God’s decision to elevate humanity.

Unbeknownst to Thomas, an urgent arrival has occurred: Gabriel. In need of earthly assistance, Gabriel enlists Jerry, a man caught in limbo since Gabriel prevented his suicide. As they scour for Uziel’s belongings, Gabriel eliminates the body’s evidence, reaffirming his brutal intent. Following a lead from Hawthorne’s obituary, Gabriel and Jerry make their way to Chimney Rock, where Simon has formed a bond with a little girl, Mary, and discreetly passes the soul to her, concealing it from Gabriel, whose malevolent influence soon starts to affect her.

Intrigued and alarmed by his findings, Thomas travels to Chimney Rock, where tensions escalate. Gabriel zeroes in on Simon at the school, demanding to know where Hawthorne’s soul is hidden. Gabriel proclaims that this soul has the potential to tip the cosmic balance of power and, in a horrifying act, incinerates Simon and extracts his heart.

As Mary begins to exhibit signs of possession, Thomas arrives to investigate the unfolding horrors. He discovers unsettling truths about Hawthorne’s past, including a court martial for alleged war crimes. Seeking guidance, Thomas visits a church, only to be confronted by Gabriel. The following day, Katherine (played by Virginia Madsen), Mary’s teacher, finds herself ensnared in Gabriel’s malevolent schemes, leading to harrowing encounters and desperate measures to save the innocent girl.

With the stakes soaring, Thomas and Katherine conduct a pivotal exorcism ritual at a sacred Native American site, aiming to cleanse Mary of Hawthorne’s lingering essence. Meanwhile, Lucifer (portrayed by Viggo Mortensen) makes his presence known, revealing the ongoing celestial turbulence and the consequential fate of humanity. He advises Thomas on how to leverage Gabriel’s faltering faith against him.

The climactic struggle unfolds as Gabriel tries to disrupt the exorcism; Thomas fights back fiercely, leading to Gabriel’s fierce confrontation with Lucifer, who viciously consumes Gabriel’s heart. Following the successful expulsion of Hawthorne’s soul, Lucifer extends an invitation to Thomas and Katherine, both of whom resolutely decline, choosing instead to uphold their humanity. The film concludes with Thomas pondering profound reflections on faith and the essence of being human, leaving viewers to grapple with the complexities of divine and earthly battles.

Timeline

Track the key events of The Prophecy (1995) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Thomas Dagget's Ordination

In the gripping prologue, Thomas Dagget is on the verge of being ordained as a priest. However, before the ceremony, he is plagued by terrifying visions of angels engaged in a celestial battle, resulting in a crisis of faith that shapes his future.

Thomas Becomes a Detective

Years later, having lost his faith, Thomas Dagget returns to the world as a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. His past as a priest is overshadowed by the harsh realities of his new life.

Los Angeles

Angels Crash to Earth

The celestial drama escalates when two angels crash to Earth. First, Simon appears to warn Thomas about impending chaos before vanishing; shortly after, another angel named Uziel arrives with a menacing purpose.

Obituary Discovery

During his investigation, Thomas discovers an obituary for Arnold Hawthorne, a deceased Korean War veteran. This leads him to a theology text written by Hawthorne, hinting at deeper cosmic connections.

Uziel's Demise

As Thomas delves deeper, he finds that Simon had extracted a soul from Hawthorne. Uziel attempts to confront Simon but is ultimately defeated in the process, leaving behind shocking evidence for Thomas.

Medical Examination

The medical examiner presents Thomas with Uziel's corpse, revealing anomalies such as no eyes and strange blood chemistry. Among Uziel's remains is an ancient Bible containing a unique twenty-third chapter of Revelation.

Gabriel's Arrival

Amidst the chaos, Gabriel arrives on Earth, seeking to recruit Jerry—a man caught in limbo since Gabriel previously saved him from suicide. Gabriel's ruthless tactics and intentions quickly come to light.

Simon Meets Mary

Simon forges a bond with a little girl named Mary at Chimney Rock, where he safely passes on the soul he retrieved from Hawthorne. However, Gabriel's dark influence starts to loom over Mary’s innocent life.

Chimney Rock

Thomas Investigates Chimney Rock

Thomas travels to Chimney Rock, where he finds escalating tensions between Simon and Gabriel. In a cruel twist, Gabriel demands Simon reveal the location of Hawthorne's soul.

Chimney Rock

Gabriel's Brutality

Gabriel brutally confronts Simon, incinerating him and extracting his heart in a desperate bid to gain power. This horrifying act raises the stakes, as the fate of the souls hangs in the balance.

Mary's Possession Signs

As Mary begins to show signs of possession, Thomas realizes the grave situation unfolding. He uncovers dark truths about Hawthorne's past, including allegations of war crimes, adding urgency to their mission.

Confrontation with Gabriel

After seeking guidance, Thomas is confronted by Gabriel during a church visit. Gabriel's malevolent schemes ensnare Mary’s teacher, Katherine, pushing them into a desperate battle against celestial forces.

Church

Exorcism Ritual Commences

In a critical moment, Thomas and Katherine conduct an exorcism at a sacred Native American site to cleanse Mary of Hawthorne's lingering essence. The outcome of this ritual holds the key to their struggle.

Sacred Native American Site

Lucifer's Revelation

As tensions peak, Lucifer reveals the ongoing celestial turbulence to Thomas. He provides insights that could help leverage Gabriel’s faltering faith against him, heightening the stakes of the battle.

Climactic Battle

The climactic struggle transpires as Thomas confronts Gabriel during the exorcism attempt. Ultimately, Gabriel is consumed by Lucifer in a fierce confrontation, ending the immediate threat to Mary and allowing Thomas to reflect on faith.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring The Prophecy (1995) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Thomas Dagget (Elias Koteas)

A former priest turned detective, Thomas is tormented by visions of angels in battle. His journey reflects a struggle with faith, evolving from skepticism to a quest for understanding amidst the chaos of celestial events.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective ✝️ Priest

Gabriel (Christopher Walken)

As a powerful archangel, Gabriel embodies the ruthless enforcement of divine order. His character represents the darker aspects of celestial beings, willing to go to great lengths to achieve his goals, including manipulation and violence.

👹 Antagonist 🌌 Angel

Simon (Eric Stoltz)

An angel striving to protect humanity, Simon struggles against Gabriel's malevolence. He serves as a bridge between the celestial realm and human experience, showcasing the courage required to stand against divine threats.

🛡️ Protector 😇 Angel

Mary (Moriah 'Shining Dove' Snyder)

A young girl whose innocence is exploited in the celestial battle. Mary's character represents the vulnerability of children amidst larger conflicts, ultimately becoming the focal point of the struggle for the soul.

👧 Innocence 🌟 Child

Katherine (Virginia Madsen)

Mary's teacher, Katherine embodies compassion and strength. She becomes an integral part of the fight against evil, showcasing the lengths a caregiver will go to in order to protect a vulnerable child.

👩‍🏫 Teacher ❤️ Protector

Lucifer (Viggo Mortensen)

A charismatic and manipulative figure, Lucifer introduces a darker layer to the celestial conflict. His insights challenge the characters’ motivations and reveal the complexity of good and evil.

😈 Manipulator 🌌 Fallen Angel

Setting

Uncover the settings of The Prophecy (1995), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The narrative unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting a society grappling with faith and the unseen battles between celestial beings. It portrays the intersection of modernity and ancient beliefs, exploring themes of redemption and moral conflict.

Location

Los Angeles, Chimney Rock

Los Angeles serves as the bustling backdrop for the film, known for its diverse culture and sprawling urban landscape. In contrast, Chimney Rock represents a serene yet mystical place, steeped in Native American heritage, where crucial events unfold amidst the tension between divine and earthly forces.

🌆 City 🏞️ Nature

Themes

Explore the core themes of The Prophecy (1995). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


⚔️

Celestial Conflict

The film delves deeply into the battle between angels, showcasing the struggle for power and the complexities of divine orders. The characters navigate this high-stakes conflict, illustrating both the violence of celestial beings and the profound impact of their choices on humanity.

🕊️

Faith and Redemption

Central to the story is Thomas's journey from faith to doubt and, ultimately, towards a renewed sense of purpose. The narrative explores the transformative power of faith, the consequences of losing belief, and the redemptive paths that emerge amid chaos.

👼

Innocence and Possession

The character of Mary embodies innocence caught in the crossfire of divine conflict. Her possession serves as a vehicle for examining the impact of spiritual warfare on the innocent, ultimately highlighting the fragile balance between good and evil.

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