The First Omen Review

After 18 years, a new film has finally emerged in The Omen nun-horror franchise, marking the sixth installment and serving as a prequel to the original. It boasts of being the franchise's longest movie, and marks the directorial debut of Arkasha Stevenson, succeeding Richard Donner, who helmed the original. Donner's work on The Omen even propelled him to direct Superman (the first in the Superman franchise), showcasing its impact.

Crafting a successful prequel presents challenges, inherently dealing with the task of working with a lesser idea and potentially altering the original story retroactively. Given the magnitude of Donner's original work, the task becomes even more daunting. That's why this movie was on my radar, and I was wondering whether it would meet my expectations or it would be a blah prequel.

In 1971 Rome, amidst civil unrest, Margaret Daino (Nell Tiger Free), an American novice, arrives at Vizzardeli Orphanage and Church to serve as a nun. She befriends Carlita (Nicole Sorace), a mistreated orphan, and begins to uncover dark secrets within the orphanage. Margaret learns of Carlita's troubled past and suspicions arise about her being the Antichrist.

As Margaret delves deeper, she encounters horrifying visions, and discovers a plot orchestrated by the church to bring forth the Antichrist. The purpose behind this scheme is to instill fear of the Antichrist among those straying from the Christian faith, prompting them to seek solace in Christ once more. The ultimate goal is to restore the churches to a position of authority and influence.

With the help of Father Brennan (Ralph Ineson) and Father Gabriel (Tawfeek Barhom), Margaret unravels the truth, and realizes she herself is the vessel for the demonic entity's rebirth. In a desperate attempt to stop the prophecy, Margaret gives birth to twins, but one of them does turn out to be the prophesied one: Damien.

I must admit, the movie surprised me and exceeded my expectations. It's the most harrowing of The Omen franchise, and becomes unsettlingly creepy without much effort. Expanding on the origins story of the franchise, the film delves into the horrifying implications of Damien's lineage, delving into grotesque and disturbing territory. Its horror lies not in cheap jumpscares, but in the chilling realizations it presents, pushing the boundaries of terror with each revelation.

From the outset, the film also poses thought-provoking questions: What would it take for you to believe that your child is the Antichrist? And what circumstances would lead you to consider killing your own child? These questions evoke a sense of power and horror.

The film also delves into deep, primal questions about belief and morality, making it a compelling addition to the franchise that enriches its lore (the lore of the Christ, the Antichrist, the Christian faith and some occult practices). Unlike bad prequels that provide unsatisfying answers to irrelevant questions, this one enhances the lore by addressing pertinent inquiries in a historically relevant manner. I couldn't believe that they put in a movie and a lore that I felt actually complemented the original film pretty nicely.

The film also cleverly integrates shifts in culture over the past century into The Omen's narrative, exploring themes of faith, trust in institutions and extremism. It distinguishes between genuine faith and radical ideologies, steering clear of blanket criticisms of organized religion, particularly the Catholic Church.

While some horror films rely heavily on jumpscares, this one opts for a more subtle approach, focusing on the creeping dread of realizing one's lack of control in the face of corruption and evil. Its unsettling imagery and graphic sequences are effectively executed, earning its R-rating without veering into gratuitous NC-17 territory.

On the flip side, the movie leans heavily on nun-related themes. Some of the nun-heavy visuals and environmental elements fail to fully engage, and seem unnecessary. Besides, around the interval, you begin to anticipate what's coming next. But despite the lack of suspense, the film continues to be engaging.

The movie ends in a manner that suggests the possibility of setting up a franchise. However, it's unclear how this would fit within the context of being a prequel to an existing franchise.

Nell Tiger Free, portraying Margaret, truly excels in her role. With the most screen time, she delivers a remarkable performance. Her portrayal captures the profound transformation of her character, from a naive, joyful orphan to a disillusioned, vulnerable young woman. She particularly shines during moments when her character is exploited in service to the Antichrist. Apart from Free and Sorace, the rest of the cast, comprising veterans, also deliver commendable performances, as expected.

Technically, The First Omen is a well-made horror movie after a very long time. The framing of each shot, the shots themselves, and the slow-motions, effectively capture the disturbing imagery without resorting to excessive graphic content. The execution is handled with finesse, avoiding any shortcuts. With a budget of $30 million, it's arguably the most expensive nun-horror film to date. It shows it didn't cheap out anywhere or on anything, be it choosing the locations, or making the sets, costumes and props era-correct (the '70s).

Mark Korven's music is flawless. Despite the absence of graphic violence or excessive gore, the well-timed hisses, subtle sounds and whispers send chills down the spine.

However, if a film is something where the director is mostly responsible for shaping its entirety, Arkasha Stevenson, in her directorial debut, has done exceptionally well. She ensures that every aspect is meticulously handled, leaving no loose ends.

On the whole, while The Omen was significantly better as a film, this movie surpasses all the other entries in the franchise. It's a solid addition, standing well on its own merits. Many people wonder whether they can watch this movie first or if they need to see The Omen beforehand. I believe this movie works perfectly well independently, and provides adequate explanations. You could watch this film and then view the original The Omen as a sequel, and it would flow seamlessly. However, there are elements in this film that might spoil aspects of the original.

If you're seeking some chilling entertainment during this hot summer, this horror thriller will certainly satisfy you.