Summary
- Nell Tiger Free shines in The First Omen, delivering an electric performance that stands out in the horror genre.
- The film explores women's autonomy and body horror themes, adding depth and relevancy to the storyline.
- While slightly predictable, The First Omen offers a unique take on the franchise and pays homage to the original Omen film.
Good old evil children. Sure, they've been depicted on the big screen time and time again, but where exactly did some of the more mysterious ones hail from originally? If you've seen the trailer for The First Omen, you know the deal. It's setting the stage for how Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) ended up with a demon child on his hands, instead of his biological newborn, in the late, great Richard Donner masterpiece that is The Omen.
But new-to-the-franchise co-writer-director Arkasha Stevenson, known primarily for her work behind the camera on the small screen before all this, makes quite the case for a sort of parallel journey that can certainly be further explored down the line, perhaps right alongside Damien's upbringing and the havoc he wreaks on his proxy parents. With a handful of stellar performers on hand, The First Omen refuses to be pushed to the side as just another forgettable franchise entry. It makes its mark, despite some predictable twists and turns, and might just make today's legendary horror masters proud. We're looking at you, Jason Blum, James Wan, and Mike Flanagan. Take notes.
The First Omen
3/5
- Release Date
- April 5, 2024
- Director
- Arkasha Stevenson
- Runtime
- 2h
- Nell Tiger Free and Ralph Ineson put in incredible performances
- Women-centric body horror ties the period setting to the present day
- The movie stands out as not just another prequel, but something unique
- Slightly too reliant on empty jump scares
- The nature of being a prequel removes some of the suspense, we know how this will end
Nell Tiger Free's Performance Is a High-Point
If you're lining up for a ticket to The First Omen this weekend, chances are you're already a fan of horror and supernatural content on both the big and small screen. That must mean you know all about M. Night Shyamalan's hit Apple TV+ series Servant, starring rising English actress Nell Tiger Free. She recently told MovieWeb about how her electric performance in The First Omen wouldn't have been possible without Leanne in Servant. In the end, that certainly rings true for those of us who have seen both projects.
At first, Free's Omen character Margaret just seems like your average, well-intentioned nun-in-training from Massachusetts, sent overseas to Rome to further spread the good word of God. But this is the Omen canon, isn't it? Things get dark. Pop-out scares galore. One might argue, sadly, that certain sequences are just pure shock value and offer nothing more. It also doesn't help that we pretty much know what happens at the end of the day for a prequel like this, but that's not to say The First Omen doesn't possess (no pun intended) at least a handful of other rewarding qualities.
Exhibit A: Free gives a wide-ranging performance that spawned moments of rapturous applause during the recent LA premiere, and she's fortunate to have at least a few high-profile actors by her side throughout the film. Oscar nominee Bill Nighy is on hand as her mentor of sorts, for example, though a subdued performance like this comes off like a mere paycheck cashing for the esteemed actor.
The First Omen's Connection to the Omen Film Trilogy, Explained
The First Omen focuses on the diabolical conspiracy to bring evil incarnate into the world.Fellow English actor Ralph Ineson, meanwhile, gives it his all as Father Brennon, who's on the scene to crack the case as to the goings-on of the church's sinister ulterior motives. It's clear, then, that Free isn't the only one with supernatural experience under her belt — who can forget Ineson's scene-stealing turn as the conflicted father in Robert Eggers' masterpiece The Witch? It's a thrill seeing him back in action, as Brennon slowly unravels the dark forces at play, which will ultimately lead to Damien's infamous birth...
Timely Body Horror Is Used to Great Effect
When The First Omen occasionally loses its steam and falls victim to predictability, it bounces back with overarching themes of women's autonomy and reproductive freedom. These obviously ring particularly pertinent in this post-Roe v Wade society we live in. When done wisely and with a bit of grace, women-led body horror will leave a lasting impression on you — and director Stevenson pulls it off, for the most part. If the franchise were to continue with this women-centered storyline, she should certainly be enlisted to continue carrying the torch.
There are some fun moments, too, that effectively pay homage to the finest moments from the original Omen (1976). Hint hint: Who else still hears "It's all for you, Damien" echoing through their horror-obsessed brain when thinking about the O.G.? Plus, it helps that the environment of Rome feels authentic, with Italian actors enlisted to strip the film of any fake, green screen-type feel to it.
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The First Omen Director Wants to Join The Exorcist Franchise, Has Seen Original Film 'Over a Million Times’
Arkasha Stevenson is without question interested in joining The Exorcist franchise, but first there's that small matter of The First Omen.This is the real deal, and watch out for a centerpiece nightclub scene, when Margaret and her fellow nun pal Luz (the sharp, sensational Maria Caballero) pick up a couple of Italian boys, including the mysterious Paolo (a standout Andrea Arcangeli). Margaret may just have a freaky side, and the Roman locals might not be ready for it. On a sensual level, the whole concept of "licking" might just make a comeback after this boundary-pushing movie hits the masses. This scene, plus a supremely long take involving Free losing control as Margaret, mark the finest points of Stevenson's feature debut.
On that note, Stevenson and the studio had to battle the MPAA to avoid a more restrictive NC-17 rating. Thank God they pulled it off, thereby allowing more of the public to feast in the madness — though one has to wonder what an unrated version of The First Omen might look like. Gory food for thought.
From 20th Century Studios, The First Omen is now playing in theaters.
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