In 1976, the iconic supernatural horror film The Omen was released in theaters — instantly unsettling audiences and garnering praise as a timeless horror genre classic. And like any successful genre film, it was only a matter of time before it spun out into a much larger franchise with six cinematic stories and the television series Damien.

Now, after pivoting to explore a prequel event titled The First Omen, it feels like the franchise is finally carving out a new space in modern cinema.

Bridging the Generational Gap

After a lengthy hiatus and a struggle to connect with resilient franchise fans through recent iterations, The First Omen skillfully bridges the generational gap for the franchise, drawing on classic horror inspirations that add a modern twist for today's audiences.

In doing so, it carefully pays tribute to its origins, captivating both long-time horror fans and newcomers seeking a fresh perspective on the genre. And after releasing several projects that haven’t quite hit the mark with next-gen viewers either, it’s refreshing to see how The First Omen walks a fine line between two worlds of familiarity and new terrain.

Traditional Horror Imagery Mixed with Modern Scares

A largely notable aspect that showcases the strengths of The First Omen is its skillful integration of the original film’s traditional horror imagery with a large attention to crafting some modern, lingering visuals. This balance also helps maintain that sense of creating a nostalgic yet fresh experience, offering unexpected thrills that captivate viewers as newcomers or returning fans.

Utilizing shadow-laden passageways and chilling soundscapes, the film innovatively employs classic motifs to maintain a suspenseful and riveting narrative. There are also a few genuinely fresh haunting moments including the film’s unique (and mentally scarring) birth sequence, elevated nun scares, and plenty of satanic imagery with real staying power.

In other words, there are some really effective moments to savor when it comes to employing its carefully curated horror genes. Even if there are a few instances where it falls into predictable patterns or storylines.

Compelling Performances

Nell Tiger Free and Maria Caballero particularly give strong performances in The First Omen which enhance the title’s effectiveness significantly. Free's depiction of a character who is both vulnerable and unexpectedly strong adds complexity to the protagonist, while Caballero's confident, authoritative presence is undeniably memorable component of the film’s rewatchability factor.

Furthermore, as the film enters its final act, everyone involved has an opportunity to highlight their versatility with exceptional material — making it a key aspect of its success.

Potential for Future Narratives

Arguably one of its best narrative choices, The First Omen establishes a firm groundwork for sequels, offering a wealth of possibilities for further tales in its captivating setting.

Introducing multifaceted characters and detailed plot elements, the film sets the stage for exploring more profound storylines and character development that could be prequel-esque, or even sequels that could choose to lean even more into the events of the first film. Also, that last scene? We really deserve another entry at this point.

Score: 8/10

The First Omen efficiently merges traditional and modern genre elements, delivers powerful performances, and hints at exciting future narratives, making the film the best Omen story since the original.