The First Omen

The First Omen

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

  • Released:
  • Runtime: 120 minutes
  • Genre: Horror
  • Stars: Nell Tiger Free, Sônia Braga, Tawfeek Barhom, Bill Nighy, Ralph Ineson, Nicole Sorace, Charles Dance, Andrea Arcangeli, Anton Alexander, María Caballero, Ishtar Currie Wilson, Mia McGovern Zaini, Guido Quaglione, Dora Romano, Michelangelo Dalisi, Federica Santoro, Donatella Bartoli, Mario Opinato, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Nicola Garofalo
  • Director: Arkasha Stevenson
 Comments
  • jrkdany - 1 July 2024
    Did not work
    So we know what to expect. How to build the suspense? They thought the twist will help but you can guess it right from the first scene. So the only thing that they had going for this movie falls flat.

    All the horror elements only irritates you. If they make another movie with real ghost vs "in the head" argument we should only simply switch off.

    The ending and devils number thrown all over the place, the experiments etc none of them worked. I simply fast forwarded to just logically finish the movie.

    I escaped the recent Exorcist movie but fell for this movie. That was my mistake.

    Waiting for some really strong horror movie.
  • redrobin62-321-207311 - 23 June 2024
    Better Than I'd Thought.
    The First Omen took me by surprise. Knowing nothing about the story, actors, production, etc., I went in completely blind, watching it only because it was an "Omen" film. It was well worth the excursion, though, and I thought it delivered on its promise of being a worthwhile entry in the series.

    It'd been years since I'd seen original The Omen, Damien Omen II, etc., so the entire canon wasn't exactly fresh in my mind. But that didn't matter - the core elements regarding the Antichrist (pentagrams, prophesies, etc.) were on full display. And, yes, like similar films with this subject matter, many of those common boxes were checked off complete with the occasional jump scare.

    So, is The First Omen worthy viewing in the Antichrist films sweepstakes? Yep. Hollywood, it seems, never tired of films with these themes, and for good reason - they're entertaining.
  • mchl88 - 16 June 2024
    A Decent Horror Film
    I'm a big fan of the original movie "The Omen" (1976) so when I saw this on Hulu I figured I'd give it a shot. I'm really glad I did.

    I have different standards for straight -to-streaming movies so I'm sure if I'd paid for a theater ticket and sunk twenty more dollars into popcorn and bottled water I might feel differently, but I thought this was a pretty solid horror slash thriller film. I'm not saying it lived up to the original (that's a high bar) but it was no where near as bad as the sequel or the remake.

    If you have Hulu and like scary pictures, this'll be worth your two hours of time..
  • MajesticMane - 11 June 2024
    A Demonic Debut Steeped in Suspense
    Arkasha Stevenson's "The First Omen" isn't just a prequel, it's a possession of its own. This chilling horror film slithers back to 1971, weaving a narrative of faith, fear, and the unthinkable birth of evil. While it doesn't quite reach the iconic status of its 1976 predecessor, "The First Omen" delivers thanks to a captivating performance by Nell Tiger Free and a masterfully unsettling atmosphere.

    Free shines as Margaret, a young novitiate summoned to Rome by a mysterious cardinal (played with delightful ambiguity by Bill Nighy). Thrust into a world of ancient secrets and unsettling rituals, Margaret's unwavering faith begins to crumble as she uncovers a plot to usher in the Antichrist. Stevenson masterfully builds dread, relying less on jump scares and more on a pervasive sense of wrongness that crawls under your skin. The film's 70s setting is beautifully rendered, with the opulent Vatican contrasting starkly with Margaret's growing unease.

    However, "The First Omen" isn't without flaws. The middle section drags slightly, relying on a scavenger hunt-like plot that feels a tad derivative. Additionally, some may find the film's graphic birth scene, while undeniably impactful, to be a touch excessive.

    Despite these minor stumbles, Stevenson's vision remains captivating. The film's true strength lies in its central performance. Free delivers a powerhouse portrayal of a woman grappling with the monstrous truth. Her journey from unwavering faith to fierce defiance is both terrifying and strangely inspiring.

    "The First Omen" might not be a flawless masterpiece, but it's a worthy addition to the Omen franchise. It boasts a chilling atmosphere, a standout lead performance, and a refreshingly original take on the origin story. If you're looking for a horror film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, "The First Omen" deserves a place on your watchlist. Just remember, keep the lights on...