The film's plot revolves around the coming of the Apocalypse, heralded by the imminent liberation of the Antichrist from the depths of Hell through a certain gateway at the close of one full millennium.

Confused, Karen chases after the man, who eventually introduces himself as Lukas Sadorov, a Templar and former Speznas who deserted the Soviet army after witnessing a massacre of civilians in Afghanistan and was sent by the head of his order to recover the key.

He finally takes over Karen's former archeology tutor Professor Schulman, who is assisting the NYPD in the investigation of the apparent serial murder case, and tricks the police into opening a manhunt on Lukas.

After killing Karen's grandfather and donning his radiation suit as a disguise, he tricks Lukas into giving him the key and escapes with it to Jerusalem, the location of the Templar's sanctuary and the gate to Hell hidden within its crypts.

Robert Pardi of TV Guide stated in his positive review that "Despite its bible-bending flights of fancy, this nail-biter builds interest in its supernatural fiend.