The First Omen Rocked?! Color Us Surprised

I’ve always really enjoyed The Omen as a franchise. Even as a kid, I found something about the original trilogy centring around Damien Thorn especially gripping. However, I never had much use for the cheap TV movie sequel (Omen IV: The Awakening) or the scene-for-scene remake, which, despite a game cast, didn’t come close to recapturing the grisly spirit of Richard Donner’s original.
As such, I figured The First Omen would be just another would-be franchise starter, but I have to give 20th Century Studios and Disney credit - they made one hell of a cool horror flick (pun intended). In some ways, it’s a bit like Wonka (bear with me) in that it’s a prequel that does its own thing without shitting all over the original, with the Donner film and the original movies that follow all existing in the same universe this does.
Written by Chris Bumbray
Narrated by Chris Bumbray
Edited by Lance Vlcek
Produced by John Fallon
Executive Producer: Berge Garabedian
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[@nomadicolours]

Just watched. The feeling of this movie felt like movies I remember of the original Omens.

[@spookyspice596]

I'm actually kinda relieved to hear this. The trailer looks awesome and when I saw it I was like: "Hmm, the trailer for the new Exorcist movie looked cool, too, and look what happened." This brought back my optimism, so thank you for this!

[@Spindler2007]

Never trust a trailer especially for this movie.

[@fredo1070]

Father Brennan is the Patrick Troughton character on the original "His mother was a jack!...."

[@JediNiyte]

This was REALLY incredible. I was so happy when it ended to have gotten a genuinely good movie. Please, please, PLEASE let this director give us a Damien Thorn sequel story!

[@calebfoster1832]

God this is such a relief to hear. Thought it'd be getting the 'Exorcist: Believer' treatment.

[@Spindler2007]

Sorry to disappoint you but that is what they did.

[@calebfoster1832]

@@Spindler2007 Possibly to a lesser extent, as I dig into more reviews. Does it sound like it's as abysmal and insulting to the original as Believer? No. That was my main concern (I do still find the change to the jackal mythology very dubious). But it does sound like they've probably made a somewhat boring and definitely a very predictable movie. All things considered, I very much wish they wouldn't have attempted rebooting either film, whether that's through a prequel or sequel.

[@Spindler2007]

@@calebfoster1832 true, this movie doesn't look as insulting as Believer but it's still pretty bad. To respect the original films, they could have gone Alien 3 with Damien's birth or just not make the movie at all.

[@edchanful]

No it's not, it's so much better n don't compare that trash with this prequel

[@calebfoster1832]

@@edchanful Have you had the chance to watch it?

[@lycanthrope9760]

Rose Glass, Arkasha, the lady that directedthe new Candyman. Lady directors are on a rise and im for it

[@d_c_C]

Just watched it and yeah it’s a good movie ! We all know how it’ll end because it’s a prequel but the visuals are stunning and the acting is also top notch ! I’d recommend to see it

[@BlueprintGB-gz5qq]

Great to hear it succeeded. I'll do a Omen marathon tonight leading up to it's release tmrw.

[@FactsDontCareAboutFeelings_97]

It hasn’t “succeeded” yet at all. Wait till it releases to audiences worldwide first.

[@ThornTheaterReviews]

You can watch them all in one sitting? It's taken me like 3 weeks lol

[@BlueprintGB-gz5qq]

@@ThornTheaterReviews I'm only watching the first 3, hear Awakening is trash.

[@jcarson7574]

Nice review!!👍🏼🍿

[@chuckyluvsu13]

I am so seeing this movie !! I have The Omen 3 playing as I type this 😬

[@nigel_saxon]

So is Damien being born from a jackal a metaphor now?

[@FILMNERDEN]

This is my only beef. Im hearing both sides. And on imdb there is a credit for a jackal performer. So I am hoping the jackal Will be present. Cause it is such a big deal for the whole damian mythology.

[@Spindler2007]

It better not otherwise it would screw up the continuity considering that it was proven in Omen 2 that Damien had canine DNA in his blood.

[@Kthomasritchie]

Very disappointing if the case. Especially as they dug up the grave with the jacket's skeleton in it.

[@FILMNERDEN]

@@Spindler2007 damn completly forgot about that! Good memory and yes! This only makes it even more important now. *nervous*

[@Spindler2007]

@@FILMNERDEN I've looked at some recent reviews and despite the "positive" reviews this movie is getting, I read there are references to the original, a demon schlong is shown and Damien's birth has been retconned.

[@MrMrmusashi]

It is up to this franchise to continue with a new narrative since he has a twin sister and Clarita. Damien was stabbed with the dagger of Megiddo (Omen 3) and died, lost to the Nazarene.The grave in part 1 contains the remains of Damien’smother that transformed into a jackal or just an unidentified canine? The second grave contains the real child of Thorn which they ( Demonic Church) murdered the baby. There was never an adoption at the hospital implied by a nurse when it burned down 5 years earlier when Damien was born. Omen 1, 2 and 3 were the best including this Omen prequel was released. I’m not interested in watching Omen 4 and remake in 2006 or so.

[@LucyLioness100]

Stay away from the ‘06 remake. It’s just an awful Gus Van Sant “Psycho” clone where they just copy Richard Donner’s homework like Van Sant copying Hitchcock’s homework. Good actors wasted in a script that was made better in 1976 thanks to the direction, the cast, Jerry Goldsmith’s creepy score and of course the fear of the AntiChrist right before the Satanic Panic went full-swing

[@daniodanny4485]

Omen IV isn't the greatest but It did have a potentially great story, it was just bogged down by a lot of 90s camp. Also while you say demonic church, I'm really happy about the retcon that it isn't actually Satanists who bring about the Anti-Christ but extremely devout Catholics who feel so desperate about their waning relevance that they attempt to bring about a controlled Apocalypse. It retroactively makes the series way more interesting and makes Damien into kind of a tragic figure, especially when taking Damien II into account. This was a really great movie and addition to the franchise! It also explains how Damien's "disciples" have so much power, because they are in truth working with resources and support of the church.

[@rositamariposita9573]

@@daniodanny4485 I thought the opposite about the Catholics and Satanist in the prequel, indeed, it's what annoyed me the most. I prefer the original idea, all that satanisc atmosphere during the trilogy was scary and fascinanting, and it makes a perfect ending at part III. This atheistic element at the precuel disliked me. It was pretty clear at the first three that Satan's followers were behind everything, that's the point and the soundtrack reflects greatly, it should be respected, if not, they could make a new and independent movie, not a precuel.

[@051melly_ym]

Nell tiger free is in this movie,i knew it was going to be good ❤

[@mathieuduval7544]

its cool that those types of movies are HOT right now..... CAUSE HE WILL BE HERE SOON!!!

[@frankhuizar9171]

Just saw the movie. It was really great! I loved Nell Tiger Free in Servant, so I knew she’d be great in this movie. She didn’t disappoint. 😈😈

[@jbjacobs9514]

Wait, is Charles Dance slumming in this?

[@LucyLioness100]

Honestly I did enjoy the movie more than I thought I would. There’s a few moments that weren’t that great and I didn’t find it that scary, but it was a fun watch. Thankfully they didn’t go Blumhouse “Exorcist: Believer” level of awful; I definitely think it won’t be for everyone.

[@derekroberts6654]

If Father Brennen (originally played by Patrick Troghten) is there, what about Mrs Baylock (originally played by Billie Whitelaw) and Buganhagen (originally played by Leo McKern)… ??

[@jefferysteen1041]

Film is set in 1971..wasn't Damien born in 1976??

[@Scottocaster6668]

Once again, Satan is 🔥🔥🔥. Looks like a definite check it out movie!

[@ajpend]

I'm going to offer that a good and effective movie review never 'needs' a synopsis. "Review" does not equal "synopsis".

[@Welsh_Dragon756]

Isn't Damien supposed to be born of a Jackal!!!

[@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954]

Exactly - that is an absolutely integral plot point of both the original Omen movie with Gregory Peck from 1976 and Damien; The Omen 2 from 1978 that seems to be being casually retconned by The First Omen.

[@Spindler2007]

@@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954 Sadly, it has been retconned by this prequel. I had a feeling this movie was gonna suck since the trailer came out.

[@Welsh_Dragon756]

@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954 I'd love another great omen movie but not at the expense of the lore

[@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954]

@@Spindler2007 It is unfortunate indeed. That change makes all the positive reviews pretty hollow - if you retcon something that essential to the Omen lore, you really aren't making an Omen movie any more.

[@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954]

@@Welsh_Dragon756 Agreed 100%.

[@acountryboysopinion6001]

In the original, didn't dig up Damiens😢 Mother's grave, & it had the skeleton of a Jackal in the grave. Bc the Anti Christ is supposed to be born from a Jackal. Also is late night with the Devil or a Streaming Channel right now?

[@Kthomasritchie]

I believe it'll debut on Shudder April the 19th.

[@Spindler2007]

Bad news. According to some recent reviews, the movie makes some references to the original, a demonic schlong is shown and Damien's birth has been retconned.

[@Scottocaster6668]

​@@Spindler2007a"Pinisuzu!"

[@FactsDontCareAboutFeelings_97]

@@Spindler2007Fuck that’s disappointing.

[@Spindler2007]

@@FactsDontCareAboutFeelings_97 yeah, it's such a shame that they didn't at least try to be respectful to the continuity of the original films.

[@Dr_1212]

😈

[@robertfeldmann542]

i dont get the whole devil needed to be with the daughter someone it he was with already can someone explain that and why

[@edchanful]

I like it, its a solid prequel, eerie, the body horror, the act, composer, the story may have a bit drag long, but the reveal n the scene in front of the church is just HOLY I dont mind they change it a bit since i never watch the other sequel from the original movie

[@JoBloHorrorOriginals]

Oh the first two sequels are great!

[@edchanful]

@@JoBloHorrorOriginals thanks ! I'll watch it ❤️

[@doom2547]

This and immaculate are basically the same damn movie

[@Scipio488]

They are pronounced "bona fee-days" and "ver-IH-similitude". I don't credit reviewers who don't know the words they try to use.

[@kingslayer2999]

I actually dont mind Omen IV 😂

[@Slashboss]

I don't either. It's not great but it's better than anything before the new one. It's a great time waster and I enjoy the private detective's arc in it.

[@ArchiduquesaMA]

The jackal was the father, uts nit hard to understand people

[@joey86bu1]

Hmmmmmmmmm

[@AnthonyWhitewwfilms]

Father Finch is a bloody good rep.

[@Slashboss]

As an Omen fan since the age of 8 I dreaded a reboot to the series for ages especially after how pathetic the "remake," was, so I wasn't happy to see this was coming this year. The then trailer hit.. and I was very surprised at how good it looked. So I decided, why not be fair and watch it? I LOVE it. One of the best horror flicks I've seen in a long time and a total quality companion piece to the OG movies, especially the first one. It fixes a lot of issues it had honestly that have lingered in my head always since watching these. They were needed to fix, and I liked the changes they made. People will hate me for saying it but I don't mind it. Father Brennan being more in the story is super fun too, I loved the actor they cast for him. Along with Braga and Free, they were really good. Cannot wait for the 2nd viewing of this, even if I gotta wait until it's out on blu ray. Hope it makes good money this weekend, it deserves to be a hit.

[@arlem525]

The ONLY good thing about the 2006 remake was casting Mia Farrow as Mrs. Blaylock. Though the scene where she takes out Mrs. Thorn is terrible.

[@LucyLioness100]

Having her as the Satanic worshipping nanny was a nice touch considering her role in “Rosemary’s Baby”. If only she was in a better film

[@inspirefolie]

I know the two movies have nothing really to do with each other, but I felt like "that scene" was an interesting way to connect Sam Neill's characters as grown-up Damien in The Omen III and Isabelle Adjani's husband in Possession - without him even having to be there lol

[@mikewilson858]

An issue I have with religious horror is not much of the movie crowd is religious. As a child of the 70s religion was taken seriously in my house and so shit like the omen was semi biographical. I think we live in a time where religious films will be watched by either fanatics that think the end times are coming in the current election or people that think it a bunch of hokum

[@darrenmiller6927]

The trailer seemed crappy, and left me flat. As of your review? I'm going Tuesday. Big fan of the Omen and the Omen II especially. I was about 9 when Donner came out with the original with Greggory Peck and Lee Remmick leading a cast of solid pro actors. Scared the pants of me, and I was an instant fan. Part II came out when I was about 12 and was appropriately disturbing with William Holden and Lee Grant doing great as the leads.

[@MarthaMcCrum]

Dude- why are you spoiling the whole thing?!!!!

[@Emulous79]

Why should it be surprising with Disney's involvement? There are three sixes hidden in the logo.

[@user-he3op5pi6i]

This movie is a C+

[@primalplasma]

Thank you! I couldn't wait to leave the theater. No scares whatsoever. And bad editing. WTF?

[@FrithonaHrududu02127]

Im about halfway through and im not feeling it. Im not one of these people that shits on every movie either. Also there was a subtle shift in the motivations of the satanic cabal. This seems nitpicky but there was just one more movie trying to paint the church as bad. Im not religious but i couldn't help but notice that. Its subtle but its the difference between entertainment and insult.

[@angeles252]

It also has an off-center way into the main narrative, involving Margaret’s initiation, before taking the veil, into Rome’s nightlife. Her impishly sexy roommate and novitiate plays host and Maria Caballero, who plays her, is spectacularly expressive in close-up. As Margaret, Free works more unassumingly, If you're after a movie about a tormented nun that really goes for the gusto,Using moments of true horror-including shocking images and traumatic situations-“The First Omen” quickly becomes one of the most interesting genre offerings of the year.

[@barstro]

What does woke mean?

[@pukeachu]

Google the movie PCU. That crap was around back in The 90s also

[@oliverlannister2869]

Knows who invented woke

[@kellenfurter]

Another reworked symbol

[@FactsDontCareAboutFeelings_97]

@@pukeachuNo, it wasn’t 😂 not like it is today.

[@calebfoster1832]

If something is woke, truly woke, not just people looking for reasons to complain 'woke', it's generally taken to mean used as a vehicle for token SJW themes. Forced, obnoxious, inorganic, not too different from what you generally see in religious movies. Only more pretentious and with better cinematography.

[@rositamariposita9573]

I must be the only one who is a passionate fan of the original trilogy and got very dissapointed with this prequel. The absolute absence of Satanist and demonic atmosphere was terrible and insipid and they treat each Catholic elements as something dark and creepy, when in the original trilogy it's all the contrary and it's the light and faith what makes Damien's defeat at the end.

[@cianbroderick7733]

Won't be watching this based on principle. If she's such a good director, then she can direct something orogonal

[@primalplasma]

Just left the theater after watching this film and I'm puzzled by the high praise it's receiving. To me, it was dull, filled with implausible events, and felt like a lesser Blumhouse production. "Immaculate" is a far superior horror experience, in my opinion! Also, "The First Omen" doesn't hold a candle to "Late Night with the Devil." It's unfair to even compare it to that new horror classic.

[@Spindler2007]

It is indeed pretty puzzling that The First Omen is getting a free pass from critics despite it being just as bad as The Exorcist: Believer which got trashed by both critics and fans of the original film.

[@BriarPatchNyra]

A bunch of people are apparently really upset that a jackal doesn't give birth... superfans are impossible to please.

[@Spindler2007]

There's no such thing as a "superfan". It's just people who enjoyed the original movies are expressing their opinions on why this prequel had to change what was established and proven several times in those movies.

[@BriarPatchNyra]

@@Spindler2007 Yeah but it isn't a big deal. This film is not unwatchable because of that change, the previous films are not ruined because of that change. It's such a minor thing to be that pressed about.

[@Conk_Creet]

Sure, saying it's an unwatchable movie because of that is pretty ridiculous, however even if you're not a superfan, regular fans of the franchise know that it is a pretty big retcon and retcons can be really annoying. You're either bothered by it or you're not but calling people impossible to please because they don't like a very significant retcon isn't accurate or fair imo

[@ryansweeney1661]

This film is awful , if anyone didn't notice the nuns uniform 😂 But it had no scary scenes, no creepy scenes and lacked anything original whatsoever Jump scares were crap also

[@birdofevil7970]

In all recent movies l went to the theaters were shockingly empty. Woke lunacy is killing the movie industry.

[@ramon6567]

Don’t fall into the anti woke nonsense. You’re smarter than that

[@anadin0612]

I found it far too predictable.

[@Silvio67]

not into this retconning of Damien's birth. stupid.

[@unclebillofthepit187]

No.

[@AlexMartinez-rb6pk]

I didn't like the movie

[@Tdrums8]

I have to say i went with my Horror friends who love Horror and the Omen and there was 10 people there and the movie was a long bore ,Not scary full of starring nuns and pregnant nuns and thats it ..End was ok leading into the Omen ..Acording to some reviews i really thought they nailed it .Alot of the same stuff nothing new sorry

[@Echosinfireify]

Hearing you say woke is a red flag

[@jerkface9005]

This was not the review I expected at all