Denzel Washington doesn’t often take on roles in films that have paranormal or supernatural overtones, so when he does make one it’s got to be worth the watch. And Fallen is that. I hadn’t watched this one since it came out on VHS, oh so many years ago, and figured it was time for a rewatch.

Washington plays a homicide detective, John Hobbes, who has captured and overseen the state-sanctioned execution of serial killer, Edgar Rees (Elias Koteas). Hobbes figures that’s the end of it, but soon bodies and clues begin to pile up suggesting that somehow, something inside Hobbes has survived and returned to have his revenge against Hobbes.

With his partner Jonesy (John Goodman) at his side, and his lieutenant, Stanton (Donald Sutherland) in his corner, he investigates a number of murders but isn’t ready for where the information takes him.

With some revelations from Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz), Hobbes finds himself plunged into a world filled with possession and demons, and this one seems fixated on bringing Hobbes down, and using him to commit even more murders.

Tightly paced, and well-executed the film primarily serves as a crime thriller. Still, the supernatural aspects, which never overrun the film, definitely take a hand in the narrative the further the film progresses.

Pairing Washington and Goodman seems like an inspired choice, and Washington exudes his charm and edge in equal measure. You know from Hobbes’ voiceover that begins from the start of the film and runs through to its conclusion that things are going to go badly for everyone in this story, and it does, horribly so.

Hobbes is determined to stop Azazel, the demon that seems to have possessed Rees and now leaps from body to body, seemingly at will. How can you stop a killer who can be anyone?

Smart and entertaining, the film has a grit to it that permeates the narrative and the characters, it plays its supernatural aspects completely straight, and whether you believe the conceit of the film or not, it makes you think each step of the way.

Washington is in top form here, and Hobbes’ relationship with his brother, Art (Gabriel Casseus) and nephew Sam (Michael J. Pagan) is played perfectly and adds a nice emotional depth to the film.

Everything works in this one. It’s got a top-notch cast, it’s dark, plays with the supernatural, and leans into the investigative thriller angle of police detection. I’d forgotten how much I’d enjoyed this one originally, so it was really something to rediscover this one.

It includes an intriguing score by Tan Dun, and makes good use of one Rolling Stones classic, and ends the film with another. The production has a moody and noir look which serves the story incredibly well.

This one is definitely worth the watch