I’ve lost count how many times I’ve seen this movie; it always takes me roughly thirty minutes to get reoriented. The film presents a captivating narrative drawing from Aramaic mythology, set against the backdrop of 20th-century Philadelphia. Denzel Washington portrays “Hobbes,” a detective previously involved in apprehending and witnessing the execution of serial killer "Edgar Reese." Shortly thereafter, crimes mirroring those he investigated begin to surface, leaving him and his partner, "Jonesy" (John Goodman), baffled. He repeatedly hears a particular song—the same one the deceased criminal sang before his death—but performed by different people. Something enigmatic is at play; it seems capable of possessing bodies, moving seamlessly from person to person, and now appears to be targeting “Hobbes.” Driven to protect his family from this malevolent force, he must discover a means to eradicate it before it consumes him. The initial pacing feels sluggish, and John Goodman’s casting doesn't quite work, but once the basic storyline becomes clear, Washington and director Gregory Hoblit collaborate on a skillfully constructed story, utilizing cinematography to offer a viewpoint of the threat while also effectively communicating its swiftness as resourceful “Hobbes” attempts to fight it. Donald Sutherland makes occasional appearances that don’t serve much purpose; in fact, many of the supporting actors fade into the background of this production, which ultimately showcases Denzel Washington's strong performance and explores an engaging concept. The film’s length is excessive, but it remains worthwhile viewing.

Source on TMDB