This stylish supernatural thriller comes off as a cross between Seven and Angel Heart in tone, while introducing a new beast to the occult horror pantheon. Azazel is a fallen angel, a discorporeal spirit of evil which passes between living hosts by touch, and can travel to others if its host dies. Detective Denzel Washington sees a man he arrested (Elias Koteas) die in the gas chamber, but Azazel lives on, leading Washington to be blamed for crimes and attacking his family. As Washington realizes the truth about another cop's suicide 30 years before, Azazel gains power and prepares to destroy him. The fine supporting cast includes Donald Sutherland, John Goodman, and Embeth Davidtz (Schindler's List) as the only person who knows what's really happening. Director Gregory Hoblit raises his share of chills, and although the film runs a bit long, it is never less than gripping. An exception to the assumption that big-budget horror films fail, this one is well worth seeing for genre fans.