The Wasteland Reviewer

The First Omen (2024) Written Review

Who asked for a prequel to the classic horror film, The Omen? I am sure most people did not. But studios have been making this a regular part of green lighting projects. Was the franchise once a success? Could you possibly find a possible way to show more of the backstory before the film? Then make a prequel! Plenty of film franchises in general (including horror franchises) have gotten this treatment. Many of them have not been great.

But how does The First Omen match up with the first film by Richard Donner? Arkasha Stevenson certainly has a passion for the original film. From a story perspective, this leads right into the original film. That is often a writing and storytelling roadblock for prequels, and it sure affects the results for The First Omen. There are plenty of familiar echoes of The Omen (and other classic horror films) in this new entry into the franchise. There are narrative beats that are recycled from the original film as well as come tropes of horror films in general. Even the ending of the film feels like a giant wink at the audience in a silly way. But to be honest, that is where most of the negative aspects end. Stevenson has created quite an impressive prequel horror film.

What makes The First Omen so effective?  First off, this film is scary. Most of the frights come from the visuals and imagery. Looking at demonic clawed hands in places you would never want to see will certainly go a long way in terms of freaking you out. You probably would not want to see a completely singed human being reanimating and coming slowly towards the camera…but that is what you get with this film. Let’s be clear though…that is a great thing. This film balances the classic horror film feel but lacks the restraint of that time. There are some moments that are extremely bloody and grotesque. Stevenson does not shy away from delivering some brutal moments.

The camera work from cinematographer Aaron Morton is top notch with perfectly framed images that evoke so much terror. There are also some impressive moments of long panning shots that create an unnerving experience as well. There is also a wonderfully retro feel to the film. You can love modern filmmaking in horror but sometimes you just want that old school religious horror feel of The Exorcist and The Omen. This film can capture that feeling perfectly. But the score really ties the atmosphere together. Composer Mark Korven has made a career with horror and continues his work with a score that mixes the classic horror movie scores of the 70s with a more modern sensibility. The most swells with might while delivering an unsettling and demonic feel as well.

Do the actors on screen pull their weight as well? Nell Tiger Free did what we all hoped and delivered a performance that matches her impressive work in Servant. Tiger Free crafts a sweet, charming, and empathetic young woman who connects with the children on screen and allows us, the audience, to feel for her deeply on this crazy and twisted ride. There are other moments where she has to commit to some complex and grotesque body movements, and she embodies it all so perfectly. There are a few male veteran actors who deliver convincing performances with presence (despite being either smaller or with less cinematic weight. Ralph Ineson gets saddled with plenty of exposition but makes it work. Bill Nighy and Charles Dance each deliver Catholic figures who have great presence in their minimum time. Sonia Braga captures the feel of a hardened older nun pitch perfectly and is one of the best characters in the film. Special shoutout to Italian actress Maria Caballero as she is extremely charismatic and magnetic as our protagonist’s roommate and fellow nun-to-be.

Did we just get a quality horror prequel? Alas, we have. Stevenson explores increased secular life and a reduction of female body autonomy in an intriguing and effective way. A strong cast breathes plenty of life into this familiar religious horror story. This film is legitimately scary, and we love to see that. This quickly became one of the best horror films of the year so far and has continued the year with some good quality in this genre. This might even have you wanting more from The Omen franchise in the future.