Richard Donner’s The Omen begins June 6, at 6 am in Rome, with the birth of the Antichrist and his adoption into an affluent American family. Damien Thorn’s birth and subsequent reign of terror, preordained by franchise canon, make approaching a prequel to a heralded horror classic a daunting task. Director Arkasha Stevenson makes it look effortless with The First Omen, a masterclass in form matched by its compelling horror and characters.
The First Omen, set in 1971, follows American novitiate Margaret Daino (“Servant” star Nell Tiger Free) as she’s sent to Rome to work in an orphanage before she takes the veil. As Margaret adapts to not just her new vocation but an entirely new country and a city in the throes of unrest, she finds herself drawn to socially withdrawn orphan Carlita (Nicole Sorace). It’s through her bond with and concern for Carlita that Margaret notices something amiss within the convent. It unlocks a fiercely guarded conspiracy involving the birth of the Antichrist that leaves her questioning her faith; and puts her life in the balance.
Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios’ THE FIRST OMEN. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Visually, The First Omen impresses for the way it captures the period and Gothic atmosphere. It’s not just the soft lighting and sepia hues that evoke the early ’70s setting but the rich details from production designer Eve Stewart (Eternals) and costume designer Paco Delgado (Death on the Nile). It’s also in the way that Stevenson packs the frame with extras; this vision of Rome is picturesque, lively, and bustling, as it should be. It all lends a sense of scale, dropping the meek Margaret into a large city with few allies.
The screenplay by Tim Smith & Stevenson and Keith Thomas takes great care in handling its ties to the original film. There are obvious callbacks and relevant plot details, from the convent itself to Father Brennan, now played by horror stalwart Ralph Ineson. However, Stevenson finds inspired ways to expand beyond any limitations imposed by The Omen. For example, Mark Korven’s piercing score harkens back to Jerry Goldsmith’s Oscar-winning score with its haunting choir vocals and the inclusion of “Ave Satani.” But Stevenson ensures it’s even more unsettling here in the way the score becomes diegetic sound, its haunting vocals interacting with and tormenting Margaret in parts.
Ralph Ineson as Father Brennan in 20th Century Studios’ THE FIRST OMEN. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Then there’s the matter of the Jackal; how The First Omen interprets the lore behind Damien’s birth is nothing short of incredible. Through this symbolic interpretation, The First Omen explores thematically heavy themes of sexual abuse within the Church without getting overly heavy-handed, thanks to its stunning vision of body horror. The subject matter is dark, but it’s handled with elegance and care without sacrificing the horror. It’s helped by chill-inducing imagery and smart horror influences, including Jacob’s Ladder and Possession.
The film’s strongest asset, of course, is Nell Tiger Free. The First Omen dedicates itself to delivering complex characters with rooting interest (or not), ensuring a compelling, robust arc for Margaret that transforms her from timid, sweet nun-to-be into a panic-stricken but resolute woman determined to thwart her superiors’ plans for destruction. Free fully commits to every stage of her character’s evolution, turning in a breathless physical performance that stuns on more than one occasion.
While The First Omen can’t completely avoid its prequel constraints, with certain plot elements easier to guess in advance for fans of the original, it does expand the story and offer new avenues for the franchise’s future. Thanks to the exquisite craftsmanship on display, beguiling Gothic horror, an impeccable cast, and an emotional journey that packs a wallop, The First Omen stands strong on its own. Arkasha Stevenson doesn’t just helm a prequel worthy of Richard Donner’s classic but establishes herself as a bold new voice in horror.
The First Omen releases in theaters on April 5, 2024.
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