The First Omen marks the revival of the Omen franchise after almost two decades. Horror films tend to spawn numerous sequels and prequels, sometimes years after the last installment, complicating the continuity of the narrative.
Adding to the complexity are horror sequels that selectively ignore certain films in a franchise, creating non-canon storylines. For instance, the Halloween series includes thirteen movies, with reboots that disregard some sequels. This trend can be daunting for viewers trying to follow a franchise, as they may feel lost without crucial context for the latest installment. The trailer release of The First Omen may leave fans and casual viewers puzzled, especially considering that some Omen sequels have not received as much attention.
Delving Into The First Omen
Scheduled for release on April 5th, 2024, The First Omen follows the story of an American woman who relocates to Rome to dedicate herself to the Catholic Church. Her life takes a dark turn when she mentors a mysterious young woman and uncovers a disturbing secret within the Church. The plot unfolds with sinister events, prompting her to investigate the mysteries surrounding her new environment. While maintaining the essence of previous Omen films, this entry offers a fresh perspective with its global setting and departure from the Thorn family saga.
Exploring the Omen Series
Directed by the renowned filmmaker Richard Donner (Superman, The Goonies, Lethal Weapon), the 1976 classic The Omen has solidified its position as a horror masterpiece. The narrative revolves around the Thorn family, who unwittingly adopt the Antichrist, Damien, setting off a chain of terrifying events. Subsequent sequels, Damien: Omen II and Omen III: The Final Conflict, continue Damien's malevolent legacy, remaining faithful to the original's sinister tone.
Omen IV: The Awakening, a made-for-TV installment, deviates from Damien's story but echoes the franchise's thematic elements. Despite attempting to introduce fresh plot twists, the film failed to resonate with critics, becoming the least acclaimed Omen movie. The 2006 reboot, titled The Omen, received mixed reviews for its adherence to the original's plot, yet garnered commercial success.
Placing The First Omen in the Omen Universe
The First Omen acts as a prequel to the original 1976 film, establishing itself as the inaugural entry in the Omen timeline. Unlike many horror franchises, the Omen series maintains a linear chronology, with The First Omen breaking this pattern by serving as a prologue to the initial Omen story.