Synopsis

A disillusioned former seminarian turned Los Angeles homicide detective investigates a series of strange deaths and discovers that an ancient conflict among angels has reached Earth. The archangel Gabriel is searching for a uniquely evil soul that could determine the outcome of a celestial civil war. As the detective follows the trail to Arizona, he becomes the only human standing between Gabriel and his apocalyptic objective.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was shot in 1993 but was not released theatrically in the United States until September 1, 1995, after several delays.

• The story was created as an original screenplay rather than being adapted from a novel or religious text.

• The opening narration refers to angels carrying "savage weapons," a line written specifically for the film rather than quoted from the Bible.

• Superior, Arizona, served as one of the principal filming locations, providing the desert landscapes used for the film's remote settings.

• The film's estimated budget was $8 million, while its US and Canadian theatrical gross was approximately $16.1 million.

• The closing credits feature "Breakin' Down" by Skid Row, contrasting the heavy metal song with the film's religious imagery and orchestral score.

• The film later became a cult favorite and launched a series of four direct-to-video sequels: The Prophecy II, The Prophecy 3: The Ascent, The Prophecy: Uprising, and The Prophecy: Forsaken.