The First Omen (2024)★ 6.9/10

As a reboot of the 1974 classic “The Omen,” this film holds its own, delivering the horror atmosphere in spades. The stylized horror scenes carry a sense of dread reminiscent of giallo films. It stands out among the horror films of early 2024. The visuals are meticulously crafted, with haunting imagery like sharp beastly teeth in stairwells and Medusa-like heads, all contributing to a pervasive, foreboding feel.

The film excels visually—the unsteady camera and eerie soundtrack create a palpable sense of unease. The depiction of 1970s Rome is spot on, and as a prequel, it cleverly weaves in contemporary themes, focusing on women’s fear of childbirth and awakening self-awareness, while also serving as a subtle critique of the political climate.

This movie is a prequel to "The Omen" from 1976 and feels a lot like "Rosemary's Baby" from 1968. Not every horror or thriller movie from back then is a total masterpiece. Some are more famous for their unique visuals and iconic scenes than for how good the story is. This movie is kind of average in storytelling though it does get you on the edge of your seat. It also does have a few classic moments that are worth watching. If you like horror movies about religion and the supernatural stuff, this one might have some surprises for you.

Well, horror movies with a nun as the lead are usually pretty similar—awesome camera work, killer costumes, and they always tell the story of a newbie uncovering the messed-up system and trying to fix it. This one's no exception. It's got some fresh elements, but it doesn't have any horror scenes that'll give you nightmares. On the bright side, it gets pretty creative with how it portrays pregnancy and childbirth in a horrifying way.

This movie isn't all that scary, except for a couple gross-out scenes. I was already spoiled before I even watched it, and even though there are some decent actors, they don't really bring anything special to the table. The female protagonist is pretty, but like a doll, there's not much depth to her character. And then there's that whole thing where she finds out she's pregnant and has the baby in just a day? That's just way too much to swallow. The fire scenes are kind of meh, and the whole movie just drags on with too many unnecessary shots.

As a prequel to the classic "The Omen" from the 70s, this movie still holds up pretty well even with today's technology. Some parts might seem a little confusing to me, like how a guy who got his waist cut off in an accident knows about a mark on the girl's head. But the suspense is done really well. Even if you can guess the ending, the ride has some unexpected turns.

This horror flick is kind of different from the norm; it doesn't stick to the usual playbook. The cinematography is great. And they use these black masks to give you that feeling like you're choking, which ties in nicely with the whole rooms, ropes, and sex thing. It's not just your typical good guys versus bad guys scenario. It's more about seeking freedom, busting out, and going up against the authority of the strict church that wants everything to stay stagnant.

This movie is well-made, with some top-notch visuals and audio. Many of these kinds of movies tend to be similar, but this one still delivers the entertainment factor you get from a good commercial film. But if you don't see it as a prequel, it might feel a bit cookie-cutter. Especially since you know the primary mission from the get-go, it lacks that gradual escalation from everyday life to demonic invasion that the original had. Some of the protagonist's motivations aren't crystal clear throughout, but fortunately, the story's overall momentum more than made up for that.

The ending feels a bit forced. The sex scene between the demon and the nun is interesting, and it is handled pretty subtly and doesn't go overboard. The suspense vibe flows smoothly throughout, and the movie has consistently great visuals. The movie tackles the secularization crisis of religious beliefs.

It went beyond my expectations! The jump scare scenes were cleverly crafted, paying homage to the previous films on multiple occasions. Within its historical backdrop, the film explores themes beyond religion. It seamlessly connects to the previous film while leaving room for potential sequels.

The audiovisual presentation was incredibly well-executed, perfectly recreating the Roman streets and capturing the vintage style of the 1970s. Despite being a prequel, it skillfully incorporates contemporary themes, focusing on the fear of childbirth and the awakening of women's self-awareness, along with political metaphors relevant to the era. The film fearlessly presents body horror scenes, adding to the unsettling atmosphere and making it an outstanding horror film overall. By the way, Nell Tiger Free's performance greatly elevates the entire movie.

Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved it! It was fantastic! The cinematography and art design are exceptional. There's a shot that makes the female lead look so holy. The film doesn't rely on jump scares to create a chilling atmosphere; instead, it masterfully crafts a creepy and oppressive ambiance. It's a brilliant cult film of the year.