Few actors have a screen presence like Christopher Walken. Tall, stony-eyed and with a unique voice that has inspired countless impressions, the man is practically his own genre of actor. No scenery is safe from his chewing. No audience can resist his mystifying allure. The size of the role doesn’t matter. Whether he’s in a film for two minutes or two hours, you’re going to remember his performance.
If you were to tell me that Walken was an angel sent from above to bring a little magic to the world, I’d believe you. Apparently, the filmmakers behind the 1995 film, The Prophecy, felt the same. In it, Walken plays a villainous angel hellbent on bringing about the end of the world. And it just so happens to be the creepiest performance of the actor’s lengthy filmography.
What’s The Prophecy About?
Ex-priest/withdrawn detective, Thomas (Elias Koteas), comes across a strange murder in which the victim is missing his eyes. Stranger still, the man’s body doesn’t appear to be fully human. He doesn’t know it yet, but Thomas has just stumbled into the middle of an ancient war between angels jealous over God’s love for humanity, and those willing to fight for them. An ancient prophecy describes a dark soul found within a human warrior with the power to destroy the world as we know it. Gabriel (Walken) plans on utilizing the soul for just that. But only his nemesis, Simon (Eric Stoltz), knows where it is. Whoever gets to it first will have the potential to end the war, for better or much, much worse.
Christopher Walken at His Most Unsettling
Written/directed by Gregory Widen (Highlander), The Prophecy came about right on the cusp of a boom in religious horror. Christianity has always been a part of American genre films, but during the mid-late 90s, we saw a cultural shift into apocalyptic terror. The millennium was approaching, and many believed Hell was hot on its heels. Obviously, that’s ridiculous. Still, there was something in the air then that propelled numerous stories of questioning faith and the rise of the Devil. Think The Devi’s Advocate, End of Days or Bless the Child, just to name a few. I wouldn’t say The Prophecy inspired the trend, but it certainly capitalized on it.
Thirty years later, themes around the battle for the soul and the restoring of faith come off a bit dated. That’s okay, because Walken’s performance still makes The Prophecy well worth your time. Similar to Nic Cage, Walken has his tics that draw in audiences, and they’re all on display in what is his creepiest performance to date. He sniffs at the air like a bloodhound. Laps blood off a table like a cat. Perches on chairs like a crow. He can set bodies aflame with a touch and has the power to keep others alive for as long as he wants…much to their agony. All while mocking his foes and hissing his dialogue. Though far from perfect, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy The Prophecy, and Walken is by far chief among them.
What Others Are Saying
On Letterboxd, one user states, “based solely on his performance here, entirely convinced that Christopher Walken is, indeed, an angel”. Another writes, “The Prophecy remains a thoroughly stellar film. Viggo Mortensen’s Lucifer is one of the all-time greatest depictions of the Devil”.
Good versus evil. A fascinating plot worthy of a novel. And Walken’s scenery devouring portrayal as a villain you simply cannot forget, The Prophecy deserves a spot on your radar. Stream it now on Paramount+ and perhaps you’ll become a believer.
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