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MOVIE REVIEW
'The First Omen' Is A Horrifying (Studio) Prequel Done Right
By Sal LoCicero | April 8, 2024
Over 45 years ago, ‘The Omen’ (1976), directed by Richard Donner (‘Superman: The Movie’), released in theaters and became a commercial success. It spawned three sequels, including a television movie titled ‘Omen IV: The Awakening’ (none of which came close to achieving the success of the original). Then, in 2006, director John Moore (‘A Good Day To Die Hard’, ‘Max Payne) made the inferior remake - of the same name. Now, in 2024, 20th Century Studios (like many other distribution companies) have decided to awaken the franchise with a prequel.
Five years before Damien (son of the Antichrist) was conceived, a young American novitiate moves to Rome for her final duties before she takes the veil as a nun. When she arrives, there appears to be a dark and sinister secret that the church has kept away, but as the novitiate uncovers the truth, she eventually finds herself becoming a target to the church’s ominous secrecy.
About two weeks ago, the “nunsploitation” film ‘Immaculate’ (starring Sydney Sweeney) hit theaters, a horror movie with (an exact) similar premise, but extremely underwhelming in quality. While ‘The First Omen’ may not be the most original horror film to release at this moment, it sure is one of - if not - the most surprisingly good religious-based horror movie of the year so far. For a prequel to a decades old franchise, this may so happen to be the best entry.
What this movie does so well is actually deliver a well developed backstory that - despite its look - does not at all feel like another Hollywood cash grab. Director Arkasha Stevenson does an excellent job capturing many of the different elements that are sprinkled throughout the movie. The vibe and spirit of 1970s Rome, Italy is depicted with both respect and passion, but when we are presented with some of the real (chaotic) events that unfolds around the capital city, it never feels over exaggerated - unless connected to the demonic segments.
The horror aspects are both overwhelming and hardcore. You can’t look away despite how unsettling the sequence is. The filmmakers really go for it, given how this originally received an NC-17 rating from the MPA. Fans of the genre will be ecstatic to see how far the movie truly goes to deliver some of its most disturbing moments, and with Neil Tiger Free’s irresistible performance, it only adds to what already is one hell of a theater experience.
Ralph Ineson, who has appeared in films such as ‘The VVitch’ (2015), ‘The Green Knight’ (2021), continues to prove his talent as an actor. Ineson plays Father Brennan, a great supporting character who also has a scene towards the finale that should definitely please audiences.
‘The First Omen’ is a horrifying, bloody, (and fan-pleasing) prequel that should satisfy moviegoers who are interested to see a great, boundary pushing horror movie.
Grade: A
What are your thoughts?
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