The First Omen - Review: A Vital, Visceral Addition to the Catholic Horror Canon

The First Omen (2024)

A Vital, Visceral Addition to the Catholic Horror Canon

★★★☆☆

Unsettling and disturbing, this prequel fulfills the creepy, suspenseful promise of the originals while pushing into terrifying new territory.

Lucky 13 Review

The First Omen

★★★☆☆

Directed by Arkasha Stevenson • 2024

Release Date

April 5, 2024

Rotten Tomatoes

82%

Letterboxd Score

3.6/5

Running Time

2h 00m

Official Synopsis

Serving as a direct prequel to the 1976 horror classic, the story follows Margaret, a young American novitiate sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church. Upon her arrival at a troubled orphanage, she encounters a dark, deeply unsettling atmosphere and an isolated young girl named Carlotta. As Margaret draws closer to the orphan, she uncovers a terrifying, systemic conspiracy within the church hierarchy designed to bring about the birth of the literal Antichrist, forcing her to confront a crisis of faith and survival.

Expanded Ensemble

• Nell Tiger Free as Margaret Daino
• Sônia Braga as Sister Silvia
• Ralph Ineson as Father Brennan
• Bill Nighy as Cardinal Lawrence
• Nicole Sorace as Carlotta Luzzi
• Tawfeek Barhom as Father Gabriel

Expanded Architects

• Director: Arkasha Stevenson
• Screenplay: Tim Smith, Arkasha Stevenson, Keith Thomas
• Producers: David S. Goyer, Keith Levine
• Cinematography: Aaron Morton
• Film Editors: Bob Murawski, Amy E. Duddleston
• Music Composer: Mark Korven

Official Promotional Trailer

Production Info & Specifications

Financial Budget	$30 Million (Estimated)
Global Box Office	$53.8 Million
Capture Format	Digital (ARRI ALEXA Mini LF) • 2.39:1 Anamorphic Layout
Primary Locations	Rome & Viterbo, Lazio, Italy
Production Label	20th Century Studios • Phantom Four

Directed by Arkasha Stevenson, The First Omen is a surprisingly bold and vital addition to the franchise. Featuring a brave, unhinged performance by Nell Tiger Free, the film is drenched in dread and Catholic nightmare horror. While there is plenty of gore and body horror to satisfy genre fans, the most horrifying aspect is the believable hubris of the evil sect portrayed within the institution. The filmmakers make a terrifyingly grounded case for why such a scenario could be justifiable within their own twisted logic.

"We'd like to believe the real institution wouldn't have a rogue offshoot trying to bring on the apocalypse... But the filmmakers make a great case, as well as Roman Catholic history, why this terrifying scenario would not just be possible, but justifiable."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Arkasha Stevenson
• Starring: Nell Tiger Free, Bill Nighy, Sônia Braga
• Supporting: Ralph Ineson, Charles Dance
• Cinematography: Aaron Morton

The Vision

Arkasha Stevenson brings a sophisticated, European-horror sensibility to this prequel, moving away from standard jump scares toward a slow-building atmospheric rot. The vision centers on the loss of bodily autonomy and the terrifying length an institution will go to maintain its power. By grounding the supernatural threat in real historical anxieties regarding the Church in the 1970s, Stevenson elevates the material from a simple franchise tie-in to a standalone work of "prestige" horror.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• The "Possession" Homage: Nell Tiger Free's intense physical performance in a hallway sequence was a direct, intentional homage to Isabelle Adjani’s iconic breakdown in the 1981 film Possession.
• Rating Battle: The film reportedly had to go through several cuts to avoid an NC-17 rating due to its graphic "birthing" and body horror sequences.
• Soundtrack DNA: The score incorporates motifs from Jerry Goldsmith’s original Oscar-winning The Omen score, specifically "Ave Satani," to bridge the gap between the two eras.

✅ Pros

• Powerhouse, transformative lead performance by Nell Tiger Free.
• Exceptional production design and unsettling atmosphere.
• Creative and genuinely disturbing body horror sequences.

❌ Cons

• Certain plot beats rely heavily on franchise familiarity.
• Extremely bleak and potentially upsetting for some viewers.

The Full Analysis

The First Omen is an unsettling, disturbing, and vital addition to the legendary franchise, successfully breathing new life into a series that many assumed had run its course. The film features a brave and truly unhinged performance by Nell Tiger Free, whose physical and emotional commitment anchors the visceral madness of the plot. Filled with a heavy dose of dread and Catholic nightmare horror, the production fulfills the creepy, suspenseful promise of the original films and arguably takes the narrative to the next level of psychological intensity.

While the movie provides plenty of trademark gore and shocking body horror to satisfy genre fans, the most horrifying aspect is the believable hubris of the evil sect within the Catholic institution portrayed on screen. We would certainly like to believe that such a prestigious institution would not harbor a rogue offshoot intent on bringing about the apocalypse, yet the filmmakers make a compelling case for why this terrifying scenario is not just possible, but, within their own twisted logic, justifiable. By grounding the supernatural threat in a historical and institutional context, the film gains a layer of grounded realism that many modern thrillers lack.

The direction is executed well, utilizing a cold, atmospheric visual style that highlights the stark architecture of Rome and the claustrophobic nature of the convent. It is a riveting experience that prizes mood and slow-burn tension over cheap jump scares, providing a sharp, satirical edge to the intersection of faith, power, and reproductive control. The script is surprisingly cerebral, inviting the audience to consider the dark fate of its protagonist through a different prism than the standard "final girl" chronicle. It is the kind of bold filmmaking that feels both respectful of its 1976 predecessor and refreshingly modern in its execution.

The First Omen is a powerfully invigorating work that rewards the viewer’s willingness to embrace the macabre. It stands as a special achievement in a genre often flooded with cardboard-cutout narratives, proving that there is still plenty of room for unique and thought-provoking storytelling within established franchises. For those seeking a mystery that prizes heavy atmosphere and sincere, truthful performances, this film is an absolute triumph. It is an exciting, though deeply somber, ride that reminds us why the concept of the Antichrist remains one of the most enduring and frightening myths in cinematic history.

🏆 Final Verdict

★★★☆☆

A rare prequel that actually justifies its own existence. The First Omen is a haunting, well-crafted nightmare that proves there is still plenty of life (and death) left in this classic franchise.

View original review on Letterboxd