Fallen
Homicide detective John Hobbes witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese's style.
The film disappointed at the box office against its moderate budget of $46.0M, earning $25.2M globally (-45% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the crime genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Fallen (1998) demonstrates precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Gregory Hoblit's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Detective John Hobbes narrates his story in voiceover, establishing himself as a good cop who's about to tell us about the time he almost died. He's confident, respected, living a normal life with his brother and nephew.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when A new murder occurs with the exact same MO as Edgar Reese's killings, but Reese is already dead. The impossible has happened, shattering Hobbes' rational understanding of crime and justice.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Hobbes seeks out Gretta Milano, daughter of a detective who died under mysterious circumstances. She reveals the truth: Azazel is a demon that transfers between people through touch, and Hobbes has become its target. Hobbes crosses into accepting the supernatural., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 52% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Azazel possesses Hobbes' partner Jonesy and uses him to commit murder, framing Hobbes. The demon reveals it's been orchestrating events to destroy Hobbes' life and reputation. The stakes shift from catching a killer to Hobbes proving his own innocence., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jonesy, possessed by Azazel, dies in Hobbes' arms. Hobbes loses his closest friend and becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Everything Hobbes has fought for—his reputation, his relationships, his sense of justice—is destroyed., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Hobbes executes his plan, leading Azazel to the isolated cabin where Gretta's father died. In the final confrontation, Hobbes poisons himself to prevent Azazel from using him as a host, forcing the demon into the wilderness with no human nearby., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Fallen's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Fallen against these established plot points, we can identify how Gregory Hoblit utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Fallen within the crime genre.
Gregory Hoblit's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Gregory Hoblit films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Fallen takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Gregory Hoblit filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Gregory Hoblit analyses, see Primal Fear, Hart's War and Frequency.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Detective John Hobbes narrates his story in voiceover, establishing himself as a good cop who's about to tell us about the time he almost died. He's confident, respected, living a normal life with his brother and nephew.
Theme
At the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese, the condemned man speaks cryptically about evil that cannot be destroyed, hinting at the film's central question: can evil truly be defeated, or does it simply transfer from one vessel to another?
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Hobbes' world as a Philadelphia homicide detective. We meet his partner Jonesy, his brother Art and nephew Sam, and see his daily routine. The execution of Edgar Reese, whom Hobbes captured, provides closure to an old case and establishes Hobbes as a hero cop.
Disruption
A new murder occurs with the exact same MO as Edgar Reese's killings, but Reese is already dead. The impossible has happened, shattering Hobbes' rational understanding of crime and justice.
Resistance
Hobbes investigates the copycat killings while experiencing increasingly strange encounters with people who seem to know things they shouldn't. He resists supernatural explanations, looking for rational answers. The name "Azazel" keeps appearing in his investigation.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Hobbes seeks out Gretta Milano, daughter of a detective who died under mysterious circumstances. She reveals the truth: Azazel is a demon that transfers between people through touch, and Hobbes has become its target. Hobbes crosses into accepting the supernatural.
Mirror World
Gretta Milano becomes Hobbes' guide to understanding the demon world. Her relationship with Hobbes represents the thematic mirror: faith versus skepticism, accepting evil you cannot see versus demanding rational proof.
Premise
Hobbes battles Azazel while trying to prove the demon exists and protect those around him. The cat-and-mouse game intensifies as Azazel jumps from person to person, taunting Hobbes, singing "Time is on My Side," and demonstrating its supernatural power.
Midpoint
Azazel possesses Hobbes' partner Jonesy and uses him to commit murder, framing Hobbes. The demon reveals it's been orchestrating events to destroy Hobbes' life and reputation. The stakes shift from catching a killer to Hobbes proving his own innocence.
Opposition
Hobbes becomes the hunted. Evidence mounts against him as Azazel systematically destroys his credibility and relationships. His colleagues turn on him, his family is in danger, and he realizes the demon is always one step ahead, able to be anyone, anywhere.
Collapse
Jonesy, possessed by Azazel, dies in Hobbes' arms. Hobbes loses his closest friend and becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Everything Hobbes has fought for—his reputation, his relationships, his sense of justice—is destroyed.
Crisis
Hobbes is alone, wanted by police, mourning Jonesy. He processes the depth of Azazel's evil and realizes conventional methods cannot stop a being that cannot die. He must find another way.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Hobbes executes his plan, leading Azazel to the isolated cabin where Gretta's father died. In the final confrontation, Hobbes poisons himself to prevent Azazel from using him as a host, forcing the demon into the wilderness with no human nearby.
Transformation
The twist: Azazel possesses a cat that was hidden in the cabin, surviving and escaping. The narration reveals it was Azazel telling the story all along. Evil wins, transforming Hobbes' heroic sacrifice into a tragic failure.