The First Omen - Sowing the seed of the 1976 Classic

The First Omen 

 English / Horror 
119 mins
Disney+ Hotstar

Disclaimer - The movie deals with the Christianity / Antichrist theme.  No jump scares or ghouls - but extremely disturbing sequences. 

Horror / Supernatural movies are not usually my cup of tea  (for obvious reasons - why would i want to lose any more of my already less sleep). However, over the years, there have been some carefully chosen genre movies which i watch - for the creativity of the film makers, some ingenious plots  and of course the "Fear factor".

The Omen  (1976 original ,  an unnecessary remake on 06.06.06 ) is one of my most favourite movies in this genre (of course The Exorcist is on the list too). Gregory Peck, one of my favourite 60/70's actor was the lead. The film is a masterclass on  how you can create dread with just wonderful acting, a chilling plot, landmark sequences and an absolutely chilling Oscar winning score by Jerry Goldsmith ( Ave Satani can still make your spine freeze!).  

The Omen was how a man of power raises a newborn "Damien", unknown to his wife that she had delivered a stillborn  -  could be the Anti christ.  The First Omen is a prequel to the movie which depicts the events around the conception of Damien. The movie is set in the seventies in Rome, where a young American woman ( Nell Tiger Free) is about to embrace the service of the church. 

As she works at the orphanage,  she begins to care for a young girl Carlita ( strange things happening around her).  She is also approached by a Father Brennan (a key character who ties into The Omen), who tells here that there are radicals who are working to bring back the Antichrist. 

The movie itself is fuelled by some outstanding acting by the young scream queen Tiger Free. She is famous for a small role in the Game of Thrones, followed by a titular role in the M Night Shyamalan Apple + series "Servant", which explored supernatural themes as well). 

You feel her every expression - the shiver, the tremble, the face shaking and the screaming (especially in a key sequence towards the end). The film hurtles at a furious pace to a graphic and shocking conclusion.

Overall - the movie is a worthy prequel. As a standalone movie, it does not have the same impact unless you watched  "The Omen"( which one should definitely watch, even if  you want to skip this one)