The Prophecy is more of a violent grim comedy than a horror story, but it carries off its bizarre sense of humor very well. Walken himself was an excellent choice as the agitated, driven, and thoroughly insane angel Gabriel. His character was very obviously mentally disturbed, a real sociopath with no understanding of what is "right" or "wrong," or the possible consequences of his actions. Viggo Mortensen's Lucifer is an excellent counterpoint: smooth, slick, and plotting evil, compared to Gabriel's more chaotic, spastic, and uncaring vileness. The heroes' roles are almost nothing in comparison. Koteas's Thomas Daggett seems to almost too-easily accept the nature of the situation he's found himself caught in, though his background in the seminary and the visions that drove him from the priesthood make his acceptance of it much more believable.
Walken's delivery of the character of Gabriel really dominates the movie, for the most part. He's energetic, and both hilarious and disturbing. His approach to acquiring and retaining his human aid can produce the most nervous of laughter, as he is personally very amusing, but he causes extreme suffering.
Then Lucifer comes along, and really does steal the show. Mortensen sets the tone perfectly for the ending, because once all the laughter is over, there still is the matter of the homicidal Gabriel who refuses to stop chasing Daggett and his companions. Mortensen is oily and slick, a subtle Devil who breaks out foul threats and vile comments only when his composure is broken. He is a true anti-hero, providing the means to defeat Gabriel but only for his own reasons, and always ready to cause trouble himself once any alliance is no longer needed.
Walken's delivery of the character of Gabriel really dominates the movie, for the most part. He's energetic, and both hilarious and disturbing. His approach to acquiring and retaining his human aid can produce the most nervous of laughter, as he is personally very amusing, but he causes extreme suffering.
Then Lucifer comes along, and really does steal the show. Mortensen sets the tone perfectly for the ending, because once all the laughter is over, there still is the matter of the homicidal Gabriel who refuses to stop chasing Daggett and his companions. Mortensen is oily and slick, a subtle Devil who breaks out foul threats and vile comments only when his composure is broken. He is a true anti-hero, providing the means to defeat Gabriel but only for his own reasons, and always ready to cause trouble himself once any alliance is no longer needed.