Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios’ THE FIRST OMEN. Photo credit: Moris Puccio/20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Reviving the classic franchise, The First Omen takes the viewer back to the beginning and introduces us to Margaret Daino (Nell Tiger Free), a young American woman sent to Rome where she intends on dedicating her life to the church. However, as she begins her journey towards the Cloth, she begins to encounter a demonic presence that shakes her faith to its core. Unravelling a horrifying conspiracy, Margaret works tirelessly to prevent the arrival of evil incarnate.
Directed by Arkasha Stevenson, The First Omen is a prequel to the classic horror franchise. Bathing the screen in the tension between darkness and light, the film illustrates the spiritual battle that rages underneath the surface. Set primarily within the walls of a small Catholic orphanage, Stevenson makes its spiritual environment to feel more like a prison than a place of worship. Bars on the windows and locks on the doors are par as every room feels like the ‘Bad Room’ that the children fear so deeply.
On the whole, The First Omen does offer solid performances, even if many of the cast are not given much to do. Bill Nighy offers some unnerving work as the facility’s unsettling Cardinal Lawrence and Maria Caballero brings life to the scenes that she’s in as Margot’s roommate, Luz. However, much of the film rides on Nell Tiger Free. As the Margot, the young actress delivers a strong performance as she attempts to unravel the church’s deepest secrets.
But perhaps The First Omen’s greatest sin is that it’s not particularly scary. Although the film has several jump scares and disturbing visuals, this is not a film that is meant to terrify you with its heart-pumping intensity. Instead, First Omen’s horror stems from the realities of its cultural context.
At a time when the devastating secrets of the Catholic Church that have taken place behind closed doors continue to come to light, Omen taps into the anxiety from the church in a culture that no longer cares for them. Acknowledging the reality of a world that has let go of its beliefs, The First Omen begins to pull back the curtain the reasons behind their spiritual apathy. Without giving any spoilers, this is a film that showcases a church that has lost its way out of a desire to maintain power over a fading congregation.
Interestingly, the film also gives space for the spiritually devoted that hold to the sacredness of their role by acknowledging that there are ‘two churches’. On the one hand, there are those who are committed to the teachings of Christ. On the other, there are those who remain determined to maintain their place of power within the world systems.
You can guess which of the two sides The First Omen is more concerned with in its storytelling.
But it’s this underscoring reality that keeps First Omen interesting. Although its circumstances are otherworldly, there’s an undercurrent of real-world tensions that makes it feel like it has something to say. While it may not be the most terrifying of horror entries, that aspect of it does make a film of this nature scarier than expected.
The First Omen is available in theatres on Friday, April 4th, 2024.
