A Reel Review: THE FIRST OMEN

In 1976, the Richard Donner-directed horror flick THE OMEN introduced the world to young Damien Thorn, the antichrist in the form of a young boy. While this film, which became a classic, gave us most of Damien’s origins, there was always a little bit of wiggle room with not all the gaps filled in. Those gaps are the basis for THE FIRST OMEN. 

 

Taking place five years before the events of the original film, Margaret (Neil Tiger Free), is sent to Rome to work at an orphanage before taking her vows as a nun. Just as she starts having creepy hallucinations, she encounters Father Brennan (Ralph Ineson), who is convinced that the sisters of the orphanage are trying to bring the antichrist into the world. 

 

Directed by Arkasha Stevenson, THE FIRST OMEN is a Prequel, but spends 99.9% of its time weaving a thick mystery around the creepy nuns that run the orphanage. While Margaret deals with her scary visions, she befriends a troubled teen (Nicole Sorace), who also seems to be having visions of beasts and death. Meanwhile, Father Brennan has Margaret sneaking into the orphanage’s secret files, looking for information on the many odd pregnancies that the orphanage has handled. 

 

The film casts a thick layer of creepiness and for the most part it works. The scares are well-timed and most of the mystery, once revealed, is handled well. The film goes down some familiar territory of wanna-be nuns questioning their faith, but doesn’t hang on it like a cliché and focuses mostly on the horrific shit that the nuns are up to. Not all of it makes a ton of sense, and there are some loose ends here and there, but as a horror flick it does its job. 

 

Director Arkasha Stevenson keeps the pacing tight, and the film moves well. The gross parts are really gross centered around body horror, and there’s a fair amount to turn away from. The plot device of Margaret’s visions gives the film full reign to do whatever it wants, but Stevenson keeps things from getting out of control. 

 

Acting is very good. Neil Tiger Free is outstanding as her character goes through a lot of horror. Ralph Insen steps into the role of Father Brennan (a central character from the ’76 OMEN) very well. Charles Dance appears in a small cameo, and Billy Nighy is his usual excellent self. 

 

As a horror film, THE FIRST OMEN does all it needs to. It scares, it jumps, and it barks and drools. As a Prequel, it stumbles towards the finish line and some of the direct ties to THE OMEN are a little loose. There’s still a gap, but it’s a lot smaller now. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: Rent it