The First Omen

2024
R
1h 59m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

58K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer1:03

Supernatural Horror Horror

A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hop... Read allA young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

58K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

1,149

246

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 11 nominations

Videos13

Burning Questions With Nell Tiger Free

Photos216

+ 212

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
When Maggie arrives in Rome, Cardinal Lawrence explains to her that there are ongoing riots between the Italian citizens, motivated, among other things, by students dissatisfied with the state and the Holy Church. This is historically accurate: after the social revolution of Paris in May 1968, this extended to other countries in Europe. In Italy it lasted from 1969 to the late 1980s, a period known in the country as the Years of Lead.

Goofs
When Margaret goes to Father Brennan's apartment, he must unlock a well-bolted door. The top lock (a door chain) is fitted incorrectly allowing the chain to easily slip out the hole.

Quotes
Father Brennan: [from trailer] How do you control people who no longer believe? You create something to fear.

Connections
Featured in Half in the Bag: Top 10 Horror Movies (2024) Part 2 (2024)

Soundtracks
Sospesi Nel Cielo
Written by Ennio Morricone
Performed by Ennio Morricone, I 4 - 4 Di Nora Orlandi
Courtesy of Decca Music Limited
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User reviews439

Review

Featured review

6/10

Unsettling but flawed

Unsettling is the perfect word to describe The First Omen. This prequel to the 1971 classic maintains the atmosphere and dread of the original while adding a few of its own twists and turns to the lore for better or worse.

Exploring the dark forces behind Damien's birth is one of the best parts of the First Omen. The tension that builds up to the final act is equally as compelling. Thankfully there were only a few cheap jump scares with the film opting for more disturbing imagery. There were many scenes where you knew something was going to happen but all you could do was either watch it play out or turn away. If you do decide to stick with it you will find the graphic moments satisfyingly disturbing. The First Omen does not disappoint when it comes to fully utilizing its R-rating.

One of the worst aspects of the film is the narrative. Hauntings kind of just happen for no particular reasons and some of the changes to the lore in The Omen don't quite jive not just with the original but within the context of The First Omen itself. All of the actors did an amazing job in their respective roles but a majority of the supporting characters needed more development. Nell Tiger Free's Margaret stood out as the leading protagonist while her friend and ally priest left me wanting to know more about them.

For me, the pros outweigh the cons but the lacking story is worth considering if you are on the fence about seeing The First Omen in theaters.