This millennium's-end action movie is a calculated but fairly enjoyable attempt to give Arnold Schwarzenegger a less indestructible, more human side, and cash in on the revitalised horror genre. While Arnie's amateurish emoting never rings true in the role of a run-down, suicidal, alcoholic ex-cop, the "Devil searching for his bride" story provides some decent popcorn entertainment. Gabriel Byrne, meanwhile, rises above the clumsily structured and wholly derivative script to give an attention-grabbing performance as a very laid-back Prince of Darkness. (The scene in which he seductively bribes Arnold with the chance of a new start is a cracker.) It should have been sharper and scarier, but the final half-hour excitingly delivers the demonic goods.

On 28 December 1999, the citizens of New York City are getting ready for the turn of the millennium. However, Satan decides to crash the party by coming to the city and searching for his chosen bride — a 20-year-old woman named Christine York. The world will end, and the only hope lies within an atheist named Jericho Cane.