I can be quite judgmental when it comes to horror movies. Often I find myself uttering the phrase “it wasn’t as good as the original”, so I’m excited when something comes along and truly impresses me.
When Prime Video added 43 movies in September, I was delighted to see The First Omen on that list. I’m also worried people might brush it off as just another prequel trying to cash in on a franchise, but it’s too good to miss.
If you are a fan of The Omen, perhaps my next claim will be controversial, but I really do think this prequel exceeds the original movie. I do adore the 70s classic, of course, but the expansion of the tale was everything I could’ve wanted.
I’m not alone in this either, as The First Omen has 83% on Rotten Tomatoes which is very close to the original’s score of 85%. So the consensus is that it’s a very worthy addition into what has become a divisive franchise.
Why I think The First Omen is so good
When you’re dealing with an already established horror movie, it can certainly be a tough act to follow. But The First Omen breathes new life into a franchise that had been plagued by bad sequels by drawing on what made the original great, yet still telling a new story.
Some viewers have criticized the slow burn, but it works well here, especially when you consider The Omen was the same. The First Omen doesn’t fall into the trap of some modern horrors where it’s all scare over substance.
The fact that it was Arkasha Stevenson’s directorial debut makes it even more special. She came onto the scene as a fresh filmmaker ready to play with an old film series, and completely knocked it out of the park.
Nell Tiger Free leads the cast here, and after she wowed me in Servant, one of the best Apple TV+ shows, I was excited to see her do more horror.
She plays an American novice nun who is sent to Rome to work at an orphanage before taking the veil. She’s joined by a brilliant cast made up of Ralph Ineson, Charles Dance, and Bill Nighy, who are priests and senior members of the Catholic church.
Things take a dark turn, of course, and you can expect plenty of religious trauma, gorgeous cinematography, and shocking moments. It’s a worthy expansion on the story we already know well, without becoming too far-fetched or deviating from The Omen.
It all ties up very well and leaves the door open for the original movie, too, to the point it feels natural, and I was honestly so impressed with Stevenson’s efforts here. She hasn’t done another movie since, but I will remain hopeful that she decides to try her hand at horror again.
So if you are looking for a good, satisfying horror, Prime Video is the place to be this month.
