Constantine (2005) is a superhero film adapted from DC Comics, directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz. The film is part of the DC Classic and was released by Warner Bros.. Runtime: 2h 1m. Rated R. Audience rating: 7.0/10.
What is Constantine (2005) about?
John Constantine, a man who can see into the demonic realm, helps a police detective solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister — uncovering a massive demonic conspiracy.
Released in 2005, Constantine was directed by Francis Lawrence and produced under the Warner Bros. banner. The film occupies a significant place within the DC Classic — contributing to the ongoing narrative and mythology of that cinematic universe.
The film features lead performances from Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Tilda Swinton, among others, anchoring a story that adapts characters first brought to life in DC Comics. Its source material gives the film a foundation rooted in decades of published storytelling, which Lawrence and the creative team interpret through a cinematic lens.
Its 7.0 rating reflects a film that divided audiences — appreciated for its ambition and spectacle by some, criticized for pacing and execution by others. Its place in the genre remains a frequent discussion point.
What happens in Constantine (2005)? — Full Plot
We open with John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) — a demon-hunter, exorcist, and self-described 'mage' — pulling a demon out of a Mexican woman's body. Constantine has lung cancer from decades of chain-smoking; his soul is forfeit to Hell for an unsuccessful suicide attempt as a teenager. He spends his time exorcising demons from possessed innocents, hoping to earn enough divine credit to avoid his eventual damnation.
Constantine is investigating an unusual spike in demon activity in Los Angeles. Specifically, demons have been crossing the cosmic Veil — the dimensional barrier between the human plane and Hell — in numbers that violate the longstanding stalemate between Heaven and Hell.
Constantine meets Detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) — a homicide detective whose twin sister Isabel just committed suicide. Angela believes Isabel was murdered rather than self-inflicted. Constantine, with his demon-perception, helps investigate. Isabel was, in fact, killed by demons but not in the usual way — she was forced into suicide.
Constantine and Angela investigate the cosmic war between Heaven and Hell. They discover that Gabriel (Tilda Swinton) — God's lieutenant archangel — has been secretly trying to bring Hell to Earth to force humanity to choose between God and Satan. Gabriel believes the Veil-piercing threat will produce more devout believers and stronger faith.
Mammon — Satan's son — has been the primary force breaching the Veil. The villain is being protected by Gabriel's machinations. Constantine and Angela confront Gabriel at her cathedral.
Constantine's final solution is to suicide-by-Satan: he opens his wrists with a sword-blessing, knowing Lucifer (Peter Stormare) will personally come for his soul. Lucifer arrives. Constantine bargains: he tells Lucifer about Mammon's coup and Gabriel's complicity. Lucifer, furious, drags Mammon back to Hell. Constantine's soul is, in the negotiation, returned to him. He receives forgiveness for his teenage suicide attempt.
Constantine grossed $230 million globally on a $100 million budget — modest commercial success. Critics responded warmly. The film became a cult classic, particularly with horror-comic fans. A long-rumored sequel has been in development since 2014 but has not materialized. Reeves has expressed willingness to return.
Who stars in Constantine (2005)?
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What are some facts about Constantine (2005)?
Constantine released in 2005, placing it within the 2000s era of comic book cinema — a decade that marked the modern superhero cinema revolution.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film was produced by Warner Bros. and adapts source material from DC Comics.
The principal cast features Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz, with key supporting roles played by Tilda Swinton, Shia LaBeouf.
The film belongs to DC Classic — the classic DC film era — predating the connected-universe model.
Constantine carries an audience rating of 7.0 — putting it in the solid-to-excellent tier of the genre.
The DC Comics source material for Constantine has been in continuous publication for decades, giving filmmakers a rich well of storylines, character arcs, and iconography to draw upon.
Films from this era combined practical stunts with the rising CGI industry — many sequences would be impossible with either technology alone.
Constantine is catalogued on Movies on Comics among our collection of 162 comic book films spanning 48 years of cinema — from Richard Donner's 1978 Superman to the present day.
