The Prophecy is a 1995 American fantasy thriller horror film[2] starring Christopher Walken, Elias Koteas, Virginia Madsen, Eric Stoltz, and Viggo Mortensen.

The film tells the story of the Archangel Gabriel (Walken) and his search for an evil soul on Earth, and a police detective (Koteas) who unknowingly becomes caught in the middle of an angelic civil war.

His personal effects include an ancient Bible, with an expanded Book of Revelation that describes a second war in Heaven and prophecy that a "dark soul" will be found on Earth and used as a weapon.

Before Gabriel arrives, at the local reservation school Simon hides Hawthorne's soul in a little Native American girl, Mary, who immediately falls ill and is cared for by her teacher, Katherine.

Hawthorne's soul will tip the balance to whichever side possesses it, and a win for the rebellious angels would make Heaven like Hell with Earth in its thrall.

Thomas kills Jerry, while Katherine distracts Gabriel when her wild gunshot misses him and blows up Mary's trailer home.

Gregory Widen wrote the film, also known as Daemons and God's Army during development, with his interest being in showing a darker side of angels much like how they were portrayed in the Old Testament.

[3] With The Prophecy, Widen wanted to analyze the underlying characteristics of angels in contrast to more benevolent depictions where they're in service of mankind and instead look at them as more complicated characters and what motivates their dark deeds like those in the Old Testament.

The critical consensus reads: "The Prophecy has its moments, but any fantasy thriller starring Christopher Walken as a murderous angel should be a good deal more engaging than this".

[6] David Kronke of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "Though Widen proves himself capable enough behind the camera, his script here is simply too loopy for him to render it in any credible fashion".

[7] Mick LaSalle of The San Francisco Chronicle wrote that director Widen made a film with some genuinely creepy moments.

[11] Other pop songs featured include "Angel In Black" by Shawn Amos, "Surf N' Turf" by Dennis Michael Tenney, and "Your Best Friend" by Peter Bear.

The film also uses classical pieces associated with Christianity such as Franz Schubert's Ave María and the Gregorian chant Gloria, laus et honor performed by The Choir Of Monks Of Saint-Benoit Du Lac.