Look readers, this prequel is all for you.
“The Omen” from 1976 has its share of iconic horror nostalgia from the evil child Damien to the nanny hanging herself to Gregory Peck’s performance to Richard Donner’s direction. Rest both their souls. It began a franchise with three sequels, one remake, and now, we have the prequel “The First Omen,” which takes us to 1971, a few years before the events in the original movie. That means we get an origin story on how Damien was conceived.
I had nothing to do with any of the sequels or remake, and I choose to see the original and prequel. I think I made the right decision, because the original is chilling and intelligent, and the prequel almost reaches that level. And personally, I think it should have been filmed with a 70s-type cinematography to remind us more about the 1976 film. Still, there’s still an entertaining ambiance within “The First Omen” that kept me involved.
We meet Margaret Daino (Nell Tiger Free from “Game of Thrones” and “Servant”), a nun from Massachusetts, who arrives in Rome to work at the church’s orphanage. She’s warmly greeted by the Cardinal Lawrence (Bill Nighy) and sees the concerns of the suspicious Sister Silvia (Sonia Braga). And she also has a night out on the town with her more outgoing roommate Luz (Maria Caballero).
It’s funny because a few weeks ago, I disliked “Immaculate,” which has Sydney Sweeney playing a nun who gets pregnant and has to deal with devil priests and nuns. In a way, I think “The First Omen” is the better version. It’s not because it’s commercial film (released by Fox, which I still refer to as), but because it doesn’t take the easy out and actually has its moments of creepiness and questions about faith.
During her stay, Margaret befriends a secluded and creepy girl named Carlita (Nicole Sorace), who often spends time in what is called “The Bad Room.” Margaret tells her she used to be a problem child, the kind with an overactive imagination. But Carlita is the kind who would lick her cheek upon their introduction and draw sinister pictures. Of course, being that she lives in reality, Margaret isn’t supposed to believe the girl or the priest Father Brennen (Ralph Ineson), who tries to warn her about the church’s sins. But she eventually faces facts.
“The First Omen” is the directorial debut of Arkasha Stevenson, whose background includes short films (“Vessels” and “Pineapple”) and TV episodes for such shows as “Legion” and “Brand New Cherry Flavor.” I was concerned that the movie would suck, considering my reactions toward “Immaculate,” as well as franchise revivals as “The Exorcist Believer.” And even though some scenes are boring, I still think Stevenson does a good job bringing the franchise back in its own territory. Again, I saw none of the sequels or prequel, but I can sense it.
Free does a fresher job in the role of a young nun than Sweeney did, because of how she adapts to the character without trying so hard, while Ineson is well-chosen as the good priest trying to warn her of the danger ahead. He should have been in “Immaculate,” so he can try to warn that nun about the “Get Out” and “Rosemary’s Baby” recycling, but Sweeney’s character probably wouldn’t listen to him anyway.
“The First Omen” is a mass-marketed film, but not a spoiled or stupid one. It’s smart and scary. And I didn’t expect to see some spider images.
