Prayin' Like it's 1976

The First Omen could easily have arrived as a cynical cash grab (may well be that was the original intention) but, like last years Evil Dead Rise, it has clearly fallen into the hands of someone who loves and understands the original. That's not to say it isn't without issues.

This is a direct prequel to 1976 classic The Omen and focuses on how demonic hellspawn Damian came to be born. Obviously, there is only so much milage to be garnered from "person has baby" as a plot so a fair chunk of the story focuses on mystery. Margaret Diano (Nell Tiger Free) arrives in Rome to help at an orphanage as she prepares to take the veil. It quickly becomes apparent something spooky is afoot, especially since Father Brennan (Ralph Ineson) keeps accosting her in the street to warn her about a sinister church plot to bring forth the antichrist. The plot tries to get some milage out of exactly how they plan to do this but there isn't much to it and the "twist" is so obvious it's a strange decision to present it as one.

A good horror isn't about plot though, it's about atmosphere and The First Omen has it in spades. At $30 million it's fairly expensive for a film of this type but every penny is visible on screen and first time director (of films anyway) Arkasha Stevenson imbues the film with real style. The film is clearly made with a reverence for not just The Omen but all the horror classics of that era. Despite the methodical pace the movie doesn't skimp on frights either. There's scares of the creepy, unsettling kind, jumps and even some gruesome body horror and they're well paced, making sure there isn't time for the audience to ever get too comfortable.

The performances are also good. Free is a likeable lead, showing vulnerability but with enough steel that she never strays into wide-eyed faun territory. The other nuns are all well portrayed too, including authoritative Mother Superior (Sonia Braga), a suspicious true believer (Ishtar Currie-Wilson) and free spirited initiate (Maria Caballero). Bill Nighy is on hand as the priest in charge of the orphanage and there's even a small appearance by Charles Dance.

At two hours long it feels like there could have been a little fat trimmed off and clunky namedropping near then end is a bit cheesy but The First Omen is a classy horror movie that, takes its time yes, but delivers on atmosphere and spooks.

7 salacious jackals out of 10

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