It’s a tricky thing to mess around with an already established franchise, particularly in the realm of prequels. Like the perils of time travel, one minor blunder can seemingly tarnish or muddy the carefully placed previous groundwork. Arkasha Stevenson’s debut feature THE FIRST OMEN is that rarest of unicorns, it stands gallantly on its own legs if need be but also serves to enhance the classic(s) that came before it. Beyond being easily one of the best in its home series, it also radiates as a much appreciated ode to satanic seventies cinema in general. Richard Donner’s gothic forerunner happily haunts this religious epic but so does ROSEMARY’S BABY (’68), THE DEVILS (’71), THE EXORCIST (’73), SUSPIRIA (’77) and thanks to a spirited central performance, POSSESSION (’81). It almost feels like a family reunion of sorts and if you’re a fan of any of the aforementioned you should feel at home, albeit uncomfortably. This artsy monster has surprisingly sharp teeth.
Nell Tiger Free (who previously lurked in SERVANT) portrays put upon would be nun Margaret Daino who is sent to an Orphanage in Rome in 1971 to learn the ropes before committing herself to God. There she encounters creepy seemingly possessed kids, cigarette smoking/trampoline enjoying women of the cloth and the sexual temptations of disco (poor thing is even enticed by Boney M.’s “Daddy Cool” which wasn’t released until 1976 but I digress). Things are harrowing and trippy but overall manageable until a fellow pre-nunster soaks herself in gasoline, lights herself aflame and does the classic “This is for you” self hanging with accompanying window crash routine as displayed in the first film. Henceforth our gal Maggie is unraveling conspiracies within the church to expedite the arrival of the Antichrist and is forced to witness her wildly talented co-stars (won’t say who lives or dies but we’ve got the likes of Sonia Braga, Ralph (THE WITCH) Ineson, ALIEN 3’s Charles Dance and SHAUN OF THE DEAD’s Bill Nighy on deck) steamrolled FINAL DESTINATION-style whenever they start getting an inkling of the untoward goings on. You know the drill and if you’re like me you love said drill.
I won’t mention any names (sounds like SCHMEXORCIST: DA-BIEBER) but this film does everything right that a certain recent attempt to reignite a beloved religious horror franchise fumbled. Steven’s film feels lived in, weighty and real and the relationships of the people involved click and repel in believable, human ways. It understands, controls and commands its space and elicits genuine concern for its tortured protagonist (who endures much body horror and often emits the bleak dread of a Munch painting). It’s highbrow when it wants to be, lowbrow when it needs to be and is absolutely not ashamed to take the gloves off and be nasty as hell on occasion. It feels absolutely epic and some of the images and visions we’re subjected to reverberate like genuine experienced hallucinations as it slyly trains the viewer not to trust their own eyes. It’s just good film-making that not only takes its subject matter seriously but its audience as well. Hey, I’m as shocked as you are. I found this covert prequel highly entertaining, truly unnerving and deliciously morbid (even if I figured out its central twisty rug-pull from miles away). What’s more, I can honestly say it restored my faith if not in religion than at least in the potential for true art in commercial film. I’m giving it six hundred and sixty six clawed thumbs up.
"This is for you, Damien!" pinata from the first film was none other than Holly Palance, Jack Palance's actress daughter who also co-hosted Ripley's Believe it or Not with him.
I don't know, the self hanging, this is for you thing has me on guard; it sounds like it's more "fan service". I can't stand when modern films do the "remember this thing/character from the original" thing.
I model my entire style after Bobby Farrell and even though Frank Farian sung it, the Daddy Cool thing intrigues me, but part of me feels like Boney M. should be in a better movie.
Am I the only one on the planet that doesn't like the original The Omen? It's one of those movies I feel I should like, want to like and have tried to like, but just don't. I haven't seen them in decades and I don't remember them being great but I always preferred Damien: Omen II and The Final Conflict.
70s films about the devil/satanism/the occult are very hit and miss for me, with vastly more misses than hits.
The best book on the subject and one I highly recommend is The Satanic Screen: An Illustrated Guide to the Devil in Cinema by Nikolas Schreck, my dude from Radio Werewolf.
I’m so happy to see this! I just bought tickets for tomorrow. I’ve been hearing great reviews from people I trust, but yours sealed the deal that I would go to the theater to watch it.
Bdwilcox,
I didn’t realize that! She’s great in the OG movie. That scene is burnt into my head forever.
Ghastly,
Thanks for the book recommendation. That sounds like an interesting read. The Omen movies really had an impact on my childhood and were def inspirations for this site! I’ll never forget my neighbors had early cable and sneaking a peak at the scene were there priest dies at the church and being truly horrified. Goldsmith’s score alone gets me!
Mickster,
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts! I think you’re going to be very impressed! I’m still thinking about it!
Oh my goodness! Loved it! Yikes! It was so unnerving and creepy! Yes, I had several things figured out before the end, but I don’t care because it was so good.