Inside Look at “The First Omen” Prequel: Everything You Should Know

Key Takeaways:
– A new featurette for “The First Omen,” a prequel to the 1976 horror film “The Omen,” is now available online.
– The film, due for release on April 5th by 20th Century Studios, stars Nell Tiger Free and has received an R rating.
– Director Arkasha Stevenson took over the reins from Antonio Campos and worked on the script with her writing partner Tim Smith and Keith Thomas, following script contributions from The Conjuring writers and author Gillian Flynn.

“The First Omen”: The Anticipation Builds

As we approach the release of the much-anticipated horror film “The First Omen,” a featurette has been released online, offering an exciting preview of this chilling origin story. The film, which serves as a prequel to the 1976 classic horror flick “The Omen,” is slated for theatrical release by 20th Century Studios on April 5th.

Diving Deep into Dark Origins

Led by Nell Tiger Free, known for her stellar performance in Apple TV+ series “Servant,” “The First Omen” delves into a dark narrative that pushes the boundaries of faith and fear. The film carries an R rating, with warnings for violent content, unsettling images, and brief graphic nudity. It narrowly escaped a NC-17 rating, underlining its intention to tread into darker territories in true horror genre fashion.

A Talented Team at the Helm

Director Arkasha Stevenson, who has an impressive resume directing genre-specific shows like “Channel Zero,” “Legion,” and “Brand New Cherry Flavor,” heads “The First Omen”. Tasked with bringing to life characters originally created by acclaimed writer David Seltzer, Stevenson is flanked by an ensemble cast comprising Tawfeek Barhom, Sonia Braga, Ralph Ineson, and Bill Nighy.

A Peek at the Plot

According to the synopsis, the plot revolves around a young American woman who moves to Rome to begin church service. Unfortunately, she uncovers a dark conspiracy veiled in her faith that aims to birth pure evil. The gripping narrative, combined with the stellar cast, promises to deliver a thrilling cinematic experience for horror genre fans.

A Long Journey to Screen

News about a prequel to “The Omen” first emerged in 2016, with Antonio Campos initially slated to direct from a script by Ben Jacoby. Following changes, “The Conjuring” writers Chad and Carey Hayes along with author Gillian Flynn had also chipped in their contributions to the script. Ultimately, Arkasha Stevenson took over the director’s chair, making significant script revisions along with her writing partner Tim Smith. Keith Thomas, known for his work on “Firestarter,” also made significant contributions to the script.

A Veteran Franchise

This prequel forms an important part of the legendary “Omen” franchise, which started with the original in 1976, followed by three sequels and a remake in 2006. As the latest entrant, “The First Omen” joins the ranks as the sixth film in this beloved horror movie series.

Awaiting “The First Omen” Release

As the release nears, the excitement amongst horror film devotees heightens. If the featurette is anything to go by, “The First Omen,” as a dark origin story, promises to be a worthy addition to the illustrious franchise. Remember to mark your calendars for a thrilling and chilling theatrical experience on April 5th.