The First Omen Movie Review

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The First Omen is a prequel to The Omen (1976) that gave us the horrific world of Damien and everything evil that followed. The 2024 film is set in 1971. Margaret (Nell Tiger Free), a young American, arrives in Rome to work at the Vizzardeli Orphanage, where she will take the veil. The more time Margaret spends in the orphanage, the closer she gets to discovering the terrifying reality of the church and the Antichrist. We all know how the story will end as it gives a push to the 1976 story. But is the prequel worth watching? Keep reading…

The First Omen Movie Review Out ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

The First Omen Movie Review: Script Analysis

Arkasha Stevenson’s film remains compelling throughout its first half despite a slow start. Margaret Daino is full of hope and curiosity to know how things will turn in a new place. However, as the story evolves, Margaret begins to question the orphanage’s rules and Sister Silvia’s behaviour that lacks compassion. There aren’t many jump scares in the first half, which is a plus. Too many jumpscares ruin the joy of watching a movie, and the makers are aware of it. The visuals and the creepy ambience within the church and orphanage are the main tools for creating the fear.

The plot takes off in the second hour and pulls you in. Writers Tim Smith, Arkasha, and Keith Thomas’ story progresses by getting deeper and more unsettling with their revelations about the church’s evil motives. There’s a scene discussing how fear is used as a weapon to control and have power over people, which is my personal favourite. The acting, the gripping screenplay, and the awful depictions of the church’s actions keep us hooked even though we know how the story will end. The second half moves with such a good pace that there’s not a single moment where you look away from the screen. You’re just pleased to finally watch a good horror movie after a long time!

The First Omen Movie Review: Star Performance

The First Omen truly belongs to Nell Tiger Free, who plays Margaret Daino. She endures hardships and undergoes a remarkable shift in her character. From a bright-eyed and hopeful young woman to a tormented yet powerful one in the end, Nell owns every scene she’s a part of. Sonia Braga does a good job of creeping you out with her strict and cruel act as Sister Silvia. Nicole Sorace as Carlita Scianna is another mysterious character and the actress plays her part well. The rest of the cast offers significant support to the story, and the actors do a fantastic job throughout.

The First Omen Movie Review: Direction, Music

Working on such a big franchise is risky, considering the move hasn’t always successfully worked in the past few years, especially with horror movies. Thankfully, Arkasha Stevenson offers a story with enough substance and dread. The director is thoroughly familiar with the world of churches and its people who follow immoral practices, so she gets the sinister setting completely on point. Even with the cliches and stereotypes, she leaves a good impression. Arkasha took a bold step by adding several grotesque scenes that might make some people cover their eyes.

The director shows that horror is not just about screams and jumpscares, but also visuals. Stevenson has used the opportunity rightly to leave the audience feeling uneasy.

What makes a horror film effective isn’t only a terrific plot and acting; it’s also the score. Mark Korven’s score is spot-on; it builds suspense and anticipation in the same way that the narrative does.

The First Omen Movie Review: The Last Word

Overall, the prequel is worth watching. What makes The First Omen intriguing is its solid story that doesn’t rely heavily on jumpscares to stress you out.

Arkasha’s vision of how it all started is quite fascinating, and Nell Tiger Free makes it better with her incredible performance. The story gives you chills, and certain sequences leave you disturbed and stay with you for quite some time.

Trigger Warning: The movie has graphic violent scenes.

Three and a half stars!