Sometimes Hollywood “royalty” aren’t enough for a film to stand out and become a blockbuster.  When you have director Gregory Hoblit, behind such genre films as PRIMAL FEAR (1996) and FREQUENCY (2000), screenwriter Nicholas Kazan behind AT CLOSE RANGE (1986) and REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (1990), and Denzel Washington starring, you’d think the film FALLEN (1998) would be a blockbuster.  But it wasn’t.  Why?

Synopsis:  Detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington) successfully captures serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas).  On the day of his execution, Reese seems to have made peace with Hobbes, shaking hands.  But while dying, he appears unrepentant.  Days later, copy cat murders begin and drag Hobbes back into a crime wave that may be more than just done by a man.

Besides Denzel Washington, the film’s cast includes John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, James Gandolfini, and Elias Koteas.  The movie was released during a wave of supernatural religious thrillers in the 1990’s that were either hit or miss.  FALLEN received mixed reviews and left the box office with little success.  A Patreon pick from one of our listeners, the podcast crew take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.