Despite being a big horror fan and enjoying a few of The Omen movies, I did not have high hopes for The First Omen. It had a very late screening and review embargo which is usually a bad sign. Plus, we just had the movie Immaculate which I thought was fantastic and it told a very similar story to what we have here. Also, was The Omen a movie that needed a prequel?
How to Download The First Omen
The First Omen was released on April 5, 2024. You can expect it to become available for download from Hulu or Disney+ in about two months from this date. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and check the current availability.
The Movie Review – The First Omen: A Standalone Prequel
That is right, The First Omen is not a remake, it is a prequel. This movie works as a prequel to the 70s original Omen movie and the remake from 2006 which is kind of unique and fun. With that being said, I also feel that this movie works on its own and while you will appreciate it more if you have seen either of The Omen movies, you do not have to have seen either of them to follow this.
Introducing Margaret: The Protagonist’s Journey
This is the story of what happened before Damien. Set in the 70s, our main character is a young nun in training called Margaret. To be honest, I am not entirely sure what her position or job in the Church is. However, as Margaret is not a full nun, she does question things and we very much see the movie through her eyes.
Margaret is played by English actress Nell Tiger Free who played in Servant and also in Game of Thrones, and she did an amazing job. Margaret pretty much carries the whole movie and she is relatable and believable and she sucks you right into this story. So, The First Omen is a prequel, but what exactly is the story?
The Dark Conspiracy and Its Unraveling
Well, Margaret has traveled from America to Italy and she finds herself in a pretty big conspiracy. Margaret finds herself in a literal battle between heaven and hell with the arrival of the antichrist being the end game here. We find out how and why Damien was born and it is pretty shocking stuff and I have to say, it was far more interesting than I thought it would be, and let me tell you, these people have been at this for a while!
The Unsettling Atmosphere of “The First Omen”
No spoilers here, but the possession/birthing scene in this movie is possibly the most shocking thing I have seen in a theatre all year! The First Omen is not a jump-scare-filled kind of horror. It does have a couple of jump scares, but it is more the kind of movie that just makes you feel uneasy and uncomfortable the whole time you are watching it.
Visuals and Effects: Enhancing the Horror Experience
I loved the whole look of the movie. Rather than just trying to scare us by throwing stuff in our faces, it has a very creepy vibe and the use of practical effects is very well done. It is the kind of horror that will stick with you for a little while after you have seen it and make you feel uneasy.
Reflecting on Two Similar Releases: “The First Omen” vs “Immaculate”
It is honestly hard to pick between The First Omen and Immaculate in regards to which one I liked the best. These are two movies that I did not have the highest hopes for, but they were both fantastic. I kind of wish that their respective studios spaced them out better to be honest with you as I wonder if those who already paid to go and see Immaculate would pay to see a similar movie so soon. Ok, no sitting on the fence…. I am going to say that I preferred, Immaculate, but only just.
Truth be told, I will pick both of these up when they are released on Blu-Ray or preferably 4K and after watching them again, I could change my mind as I liked them both. If you like horror, especially horror that is not just trying to jump-scare you, but really creep you out, I highly recommend giving this a watch!
