John Hobbes (played by Denzel Washington) is a protagonist in Fallen.
Philadelphia detective investigating a series of murders linked to a recently executed serial killer. He discovers the killer was possessed by a demon named Azazel that jumps between hosts. As the demon orchestrates events to ruin his life, Hobbes devises a plan involving self-poisoning to trap and kill the entity, ultimately succeeding before the demon escapes into a cat. Jonesy (played by John Goodman) is a protagonist in Fallen.
Hobbes' police partner who initially assists in the copycat murder investigation. Later revealed to be possessed by the demon Azazel, he turns against his own team, killing Lieutenant Stanton at the Milano cabin. After a struggle, he is mortally wounded and killed by the demon. Gretta Milano (played by Embeth Davidtz) appears in Fallen.
Daughter of a detective who committed suicide due to accusations of occult-related killings. She warns Hobbes about the demon Azazel, explains its possession rules and vulnerabilities, and helps Hobbes hide his nephew Sam to protect him from the entity. Art (played by Gabriel Casseus) appears in Fallen.
Intellectually disabled brother of Sam Hobbes. He is attacked by the demon Azazel and later murdered by it, which forces Hobbes to hide his nephew Sam with Gretta Milano. Edgar Reese (played by Elias Koteas) appears in Fallen.
Convicted serial killer on death row whose execution triggers a wave of copycat murders. Before dying, he speaks in Syrian Aramaic and mocks witnesses, unknowingly releasing a demon that possesses others and stalks Hobbes.
Fallen (1998) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
John Hobbes
(played by Denzel Washington) — protagonist
Philadelphia detective investigating a series of murders linked to a recently executed serial killer. He discovers the killer was possessed by a demon named Azazel that jumps between hosts. As the dem...
Jonesy
(played by John Goodman) — protagonist
Hobbes' police partner who initially assists in the copycat murder investigation. Later revealed to be possessed by the demon Azazel, he turns against his own team, killing Lieutenant Stanton at the M...
Gretta Milano
(played by Embeth Davidtz) — supporting
Daughter of a detective who committed suicide due to accusations of occult-related killings. She warns Hobbes about the demon Azazel, explains its possession rules and vulnerabilities, and helps Hobbe...
Art
(played by Gabriel Casseus) — supporting
Intellectually disabled brother of Sam Hobbes. He is attacked by the demon Azazel and later murdered by it, which forces Hobbes to hide his nephew Sam with Gretta Milano.
Edgar Reese
(played by Elias Koteas) — supporting
Convicted serial killer on death row whose execution triggers a wave of copycat murders. Before dying, he speaks in Syrian Aramaic and mocks witnesses, unknowingly releasing a demon that possesses oth...
Key Relationships
Edgar Reese → Jonesy
(Temporal Predecessor)
Gretta Milano → Jonesy
(Conflict Target)
Gretta Milano → Art
(Alliance Guardian)
John Hobbes → Art
(Family Nephew)
John Hobbes → Gretta Milano
(Alliance Guide)
John Hobbes → Jonesy
(Alliance Partner)
John Hobbes → Edgar Reese
(Professional Detective)
Story Analysis
A detective battles a shape-shifting demon that possesses humans through touch, forcing him to sacrifice his own safety to trap the entity.
Plot Progression
The Execution & The Curse
The Investigation & The Revelation
The Escalation & The Trap
The Confrontation & The Aftermath
Directed by Gregory Hoblit
Fallen (1998) · 6.8/10 · crime, drama, thriller, fantasy
