We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has long dominated the action arena. But the veteran actor hasn’t dabbled in the horror genre frequently. Yet the Peter Hyams-directed 1999 horror-action flick “End of Days” pits Arnie against the antichrist in an underrated gem of a supernatural movie.
Flash forward to 1999, and an investment banker (Gabriel Byrne) is possessed by Satan while dining at a restaurant. Depressed former NYPD detective Jericho Cane (Schwarzenegger), now working in private security, assumes a job with his co-worker Bobby Chicago (Kevin Pollak). Unbeknownst to Cane and Chicago, they’re protecting the investment banker possessed by Satan. A priest attempts to assassinate the banker, but Jericho gives chase. It’s here where Cane’s entire worldview gets upended with the revelation that the would-be assassin is not only a priest named Thomas Aquinas (Derrick O’Connor), but one that, despite speaking to Cane shortly before his death, had cut out his tongue.
While the NYPD, led by Detective Marge Francis (CCH Pounder) opens an investigation, Cane pursues the truth on his own. This leads Jericho to Christine York (Robin Tunney), and a priest, Father Kovak (Rod Steiger). Eventually, Kovak reveals to Jehrico the return of Satan and his mission to impregnate York between 11 PM and midnight on January 31, 1999. Initially, the atheist Cane remains skeptical, but the more strangeness he witnesses, the further he’s dragged into the supernatural.
“End of Days” successfully, and enjoyably, fuses the horror and action genres. Throughout the Peter Hyams-directed romp, there’s a bit of a John Carpenter’s “Prince of Darkness” vibe. This isn’t helped by scenes such as a church basement replete with instruments interpreting prophecies of the End of Days. From the onset, action and supernatural horror intertwine seamlessly. Through the use of actual Biblical verses, “End of Days” establishes intricate lore quickly.
Acting is generally strong. From the beginning, it’s clear that Jericho suffers from some previous personal trauma. Schwarzenegger plays the depressed Cane perfectly, though the alcoholic Jericho inexplicably stays in bodybuilder shape despite his less-than-healthy diet of rancid leftovers and vodka pulls. Robin Tunney returns to horror after a marvelous appearance in “The Craft,” playing the tortured Christine York brilliantly. CCH Pounder puts in a solid guest-starring role but Pounder gets far too little screen time. Kevin Pollak provides a spot of much-needed comic relief.
Technically, effects shine apart from a bit of CGI so atrocious it’s bound to induce eye bleeding. John Debney handles the orchestral score marvelously, upping the strings and timpani in moments of suspense, then dialing it back for a melodic backdrop for slower, less action-oriented scenes. “End of Days” is well-paced with an enjoyable mix of action, intrigue, and drama. I particularly appreciate the way “End of Days” incorporates the Y2K scare as a prominent subplot.
Unfortunately, for all its gusto, “End of Days” has its flaws. Oddly, especially considering its diligence to establishing intricate religious lore, nobody seems to recall the 13th Century priest and philosopher Thomas Aquinas. This does, thankfully, lead to a few riotously hilarious moment such as Jericho storming into a church demanding “I would like to talk to you about Thomas Aquinas,” with no mention of the Saint. Moreover, most of its characters are cliches: the depressed ex-cop, the wisecracking sidekick, and unwitting victim. A few plot holes arise, such as convenient and unrealistic detective work on Jericho’s part. He miraculously makes the connection to a misinterpreted Latin phrase “Christ in New York” as Christine York. And the final showdown between Satan and Cane devolves into the typical bullet-fueled Schwarzenegger blockbuster extravaganza a la “The Terminator” and “Predator.”
Despite its shortcomings, “End of Days” succeeds as a fresh supernatural horror-action combo. It’s well-acted, features a spectacular score, and the effects mostly hold up. With tinges of “Prince of Darkness,” the Peter Hyams “End of Days” may fall short of the Carpenter classic, but it’s a spiritual successor of sorts well worth its 122-minute runtime.
This post may contain affiliate links. We are a participant in affiliate programs such as the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. However, all products are thoroughly tested and reviews are honest and unbiased.