Available now on Digital and coming to Hulu May 30, and Blu-ray and DVD on July 30, is the relentless and chilling The First Omen. Get ready to be haunted all over again when you bring home The First Omen and all its bonus features.
The First Omen
American novitiate Margaret Daino (Nell Tiger Free) arrives in Rome in 1971, ready to dedicate herself to God and the church by taking the veil. Before her vows, she begins working at the Vizzerdeli Orphanage. As with any good horror film, everything appears normal, even pleasant, other than the civil unrest in the city amongst students and workers. All that changes when Margaret meets Carlita Skianna (Nicole Sorace), a “bad” child who is treated poorly by the nuns. As her concern for Carlita grows, Margaret begins to realize things aren't quite right within the convent. This leads her on a hunt to discover the truth as troubling circumstances and shocking visions rock to her core and threaten her very life.
The First Omen works thanks to its extremely haunting visuals, a powerful lead performance, innovative horror elements, and its understanding of the sandbox it's playing in. While clearly a prequel, it does not require any familiarity with the original, although I will admit I wish I had rewatched it before seeing this one. There are definitely aspects that have deeper meanings as they connect directly with The Omen. Either way, this film pulls you in like a poor innocent nun to a flame right from its mysterious opening sequence. There is a hushed conversation between Father Brennan (Ralph Ineson) and Father Harris (Charles Dance) that is purposefully vague. By doing this, Stevenson, along with her co-writers Tim Smith and Keith Thomas, have ensured that we the audience are fully invested in figuring out just what the hell is going on.
The First Omen Bonus Features
Featurettes:
The Mystery of Margaret – Join director Arkasha Stevenson and stars Nell Tiger Free, Bill Nighy and Maria Caballero as they dive into the character of Margaret, her relationships with other characters, and how she’s manipulated while trying to solve the film’s horrifying mystery.
The Director’s Vision – Director Arkasha Stevenson talks about her love of horror films, the opportunity to expand on The Omen legacy, and crafting The First Omen entirely through a female lens. She also describes shooting in Rome, and the cast recounts working with Arkasha.
Signs of The First Omen – Join the director and talented artists as they reveal some of the symbolism within the set designs and the costumes. Learn how the use of practical effects blurs the line between what is real and what is not in The First Omen’s terrifying world.
*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer.
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