Reviews: End of Days (1999) Movie Review / Ending Explained / FAQs
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Action, Fantasy, Demons
Subgenres: Mystery, Survival, Apocalypse, Hell, Satanic
End of Days (1999) shocked audiences with its ending. Our spoiler-free review explains the scares, themes, and what makes this film unforgettable.
End of Days (1999) – A Dark, Apocalyptic Action Thriller with Schwarzenegger Facing Satan Himself
End of Days (1999), directed by Peter Hyams, blends action-packed thrills, supernatural horror, and religious apocalypse lore into one gritty showdown between man and the ultimate evil. Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger in a rare horror-tinged role, the film delivers a mix of 90s action spectacle with demonic end-times prophecy, making it a unique entry in the actor’s long list of explosive blockbusters.
While End of Days may not redefine the genre, it offers a high-stakes, end-of-the-millennium battle against Satan, wrapped in gunfire, fiery special effects, and grim religious symbolism. The result is a dark action-horror hybrid that’s equal parts campy and intense, perfect for fans of supernatural thrillers who enjoy their apocalyptic narratives with heavy doses of bullets and brimstone.
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
Set in New York City during the final days of 1999, End of Days follows Jericho Cane (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a former police officer turned broken private security agent, still haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and daughter. Jericho’s faith is shattered, his life spiraling into depression and alcoholism—until he becomes entangled in a mysterious plot involving a young woman named Christine York (Robin Tunney).
Unbeknownst to Christine, she has been chosen since birth to be the bride of Satan, destined to conceive the Antichrist precisely at the turn of the millennium. When Satan, in human form (Gabriel Byrne), arrives in New York to claim her, Jericho finds himself the unlikely protector standing between Earth and its destruction.
As the clock ticks toward New Year’s Eve, Jericho faces fanatical cultists, corrupted clergy, and the Devil himself, forcing him to confront not only external evil but his own loss of faith.
Key Themes Explored:
The battle between good and ultimate evil
Loss of faith, redemption, and the search for hope
Biblical prophecy and the apocalypse narrative
Free will vs. destiny
Spiritual warfare in a modern, urban setting
The movie leans heavily into Catholic end-times prophecy, pairing religious horror with explosive action sequences, a hallmark of Schwarzenegger’s late-90s film era.
Acting and Cinematography
Arnold Schwarzenegger plays against type as the emotionally damaged Jericho Cane, bringing a gritty, more grounded performance compared to his usual invincible action hero roles. Though the emotional depth stretches his acting range, Schwarzenegger holds his own, particularly in the film’s darker, more personal moments.
Gabriel Byrne delivers a standout performance as Satan, portraying the Prince of Darkness with sinister charisma and unsettling calm, balancing menace with seduction. Robin Tunney brings vulnerability and strength to Christine, though the script offers limited space for deeper character development.
The cinematography embraces the gothic darkness of late-90s horror-thrillers, with shadowy alleys, candlelit cathedrals, and ominous stormy skies. New York feels claustrophobic and on the verge of collapse, enhancing the film’s apocalyptic tone. The practical effects and CGI for the demonic manifestations are serviceable for the time, though some visual elements may feel dated by today’s standards.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Director Peter Hyams maintains a steady blend of action pacing and supernatural horror atmosphere, attempting to balance gunfights with biblical dread. The movie tries to deliver both blockbuster thrills and theological horror but sometimes leans too heavily into action tropes at the expense of deeper horror elements.
The film’s ambitious blend of apocalypse mythology with action movie structure sets it apart but also contributes to tonal inconsistency.
Strengths:
Engaging premise of Satan arriving at the turn of the millennium
Arnold Schwarzenegger in a rare horror-action role
Gabriel Byrne’s compelling and eerie portrayal of Satan
Gritty visuals and atmospheric urban horror backdrop
Unique mix of religious prophecy with explosive action
Weaknesses:
Tonally uneven between serious horror and over-the-top action
Some dated special effects
Limited character development for the supporting cast
Relies on familiar action clichés, which may undercut horror tension
Predictable narrative beats despite the unique concept
Final Verdict & Score: 6/10
End of Days (1999) delivers a visually dark, action-driven apocalypse thriller that stands out thanks to its rare pairing of Schwarzenegger with religious horror themes. While the film suffers from tonal inconsistencies and dated effects, its high-stakes concept, memorable villain, and intense atmosphere keep it entertaining for fans of supernatural action flicks.
It may not fully satisfy hardcore horror fans or theological scholars, but for those who enjoy devil-versus-hero showdowns packed with bullets and biblical doom, End of Days remains a fun, fiery entry in the late-90s action-horror catalog.
Who will enjoy it:
Fans of action-horror hybrids with supernatural villains
Viewers who appreciate Arnold Schwarzenegger in non-traditional roles
Audiences interested in biblical apocalypse themes and religious horror
Those seeking late-90s dystopian thrillers with explosive set pieces
Who might be disappointed:
Hardcore horror fans looking for psychological dread over action spectacle
Viewers expecting complex theological exploration
Audiences turned off by tonal shifts between serious horror and action movie clichés
Those preferring modern special effects and polished CGI
End of Days (1999) – Most Searched FAQs and Ending Explained
Is End of Days (1999) an action or a horror movie?
End of Days (1999) is a blend of action thriller and supernatural horror, mixing explosive gunfights and chase scenes with biblical apocalypse prophecy, satanic cults, and demonic possession. The movie leans heavily on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action hero persona while infusing the narrative with religious horror elements, making it stand out as a hybrid of both genres.
Who plays Satan in End of Days?
In End of Days, the role of Satan in human form is played by Gabriel Byrne. His portrayal of the Devil is charismatic, cold, and seductive, offering a performance that balances menace with unsettling charm. Byrne’s version of Satan doesn’t rely on monstrous visuals but instead uses psychological manipulation and temptation, making him a memorable antagonist.
What is the significance of the year 1999 in End of Days?
The year 1999 is central to the film’s plot because, according to the movie’s biblical prophecy, Satan must find and impregnate a chosen woman, Christine York, before the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to bring about the birth of the Antichrist. The Y2K-era fears and the turn-of-the-millennium anxiety amplify the film’s doomsday tension, playing into real-world millennial apocalyptic speculation at the time of its release.
Who is Christine York in End of Days?
Minor Spoiler:
Christine York (Robin Tunney) is the young woman marked from birth to be Satan’s chosen bride, destined to conceive the Antichrist. Throughout the movie, she is pursued by satanic cultists and Satan himself, while Jericho Cane (Arnold Schwarzenegger) takes on the role of her protector. Christine’s name is a subtle reference to "Christ in New York," hinting at her symbolic significance in the battle between good and evil.
Why does Jericho Cane lose his faith in End of Days?
At the beginning of the film, Jericho Cane is a broken man, emotionally shattered after the murder of his wife and daughter, which leads him to alcoholism and a crisis of faith. His loss of belief in God and goodness makes him a vulnerable but ultimately relatable hero. His journey throughout the film is as much about reclaiming his faith and sense of purpose as it is about protecting Christine and stopping Satan’s plan.
Is End of Days based on real religious prophecy?
While End of Days borrows from Christian eschatology (the study of end-times prophecies), the film’s storyline is largely fictionalized for dramatic effect. It draws loosely from themes found in the Book of Revelation but amplifies them with Hollywood-style action, horror tropes, and creative liberties, such as the specific timeline for the Antichrist’s conception.
How does Satan appear in End of Days?
Satan initially appears as a charming, well-dressed man (Gabriel Byrne), having possessed the body of a banker. His powers include telekinesis, seduction, manipulation, and superhuman strength. Rather than presenting as a traditional monster, this version of the Devil uses temptation and intimidation to try and achieve his goal, making him more psychologically disturbing than physically grotesque for most of the movie.
End of Days (1999) – Ending Explained
Major Spoiler Below
In the climactic final act of End of Days, Satan becomes desperate as the millennium approaches, determined to impregnate Christine York before midnight to fulfill the prophecy of the Antichrist’s birth. Meanwhile, Jericho Cane, having evolved from a faithless, broken man into a selfless protector, engages in a final showdown against the possessed.
As the clock nears midnight, Satan reveals his true demonic form, fully unleashing his power. Jericho, gravely wounded, realizes that brute force alone cannot stop the Devil. Instead, he makes the ultimate sacrifice by impaling himself on a sword, preventing Satan from using his body as a vessel to complete the ritual.
This act of self-sacrifice successfully stops Satan’s plan and breaks the hold the demon has on the physical world. As Jericho dies, he experiences a vision of his wife and daughter welcoming him into the afterlife, symbolizing his redemption and the restoration of his lost faith.
Christine survives, the prophecy is averted, and the new millennium dawns without the rise of the Antichrist.
Key Ending Takeaways:
Jericho Cane sacrifices himself to stop Satan, choosing selflessness over despair.
The prophecy of the Antichrist’s conception is thwarted by Cane’s intervention.
Satan, unable to possess Jericho, is forced back into the abyss as the new millennium begins.
Jericho’s loss of faith comes full circle, ending with his redemption and emotional peace.
Christine York is saved, and humanity avoids the foretold apocalypse.
Similar films like End of Days can be found in demon movies sub-genre(s), check them out for more movies like End of Days.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- End of Days Rating Scores
- Our Score: 6/10
- Overall Score: 4.33/10
- IMDB: 5.8/10
- MetaCritic: 3.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 1.1/10
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