The upcoming horror film The First Omen, set for release on April 5, 2024, stars Nell Tiger Free as an American woman sent to Rome, where she uncovers a conspiracy to bring about the birth of an Antichrist. The film also features Bill Nighy as a priest leading the dark scheme, and it is a prequel to the iconic 1976 film The Omen. Nell Tiger Free revealed that her father ‘nearly fainted’ while watching the gory new prequel, as her diabetic father had previously fainted during her birth. She reflected on her grisly onscreen moments, having experienced a lot of bad things happening to her characters in past roles.
The terrifying first trailer for The First Omen was released in February, showcasing Free’s character arriving in Rome and featuring flashbacks of her life before. The trailer includes disturbing scenes such as nuns lying on the floor, an explosive car crash, a wedding, and a sex scene. A tagline teases, ‘To control those who don’t believe, create something to fear,’ as a nun is seen carrying a newborn baby, with Nighy’s character stating, ‘You don’t have to be afraid, this child is his way.’ The film follows the story of a young child, Damien, replaced by his father shortly after birth, only for his adoptive family to realize he is the prophesied Antichrist.
The original 1976 film, The Omen, received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, grossing over $60 million at the U.S. box office and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the year. The film earned two Oscar nominations, winning Best Original Score for Jerry Goldsmith. It was followed by three sequels: Damien: Omen II (1978), Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981), and Omen IV: The Awakening (1991). A remake of The Omen was released in 2006, starring Julia Stiles, Liev Schreiber, and Mia Farrow. Additionally, two television series based on The Omen were produced: 1995’s The Omen and 2016’s Damien, serving as a direct sequel to the original film.
Nell Tiger Free described her mother’s reaction to horror films, stating that her mom, who is very squeamish, had to sit next to her during the premiere of The First Omen. She recounted how her mother held onto her tightly throughout the film, leaving nail marks on her. Free also mentioned the difficulty of filming such intense scenes, including being shot in the head, burned alive, and experiencing other traumatic events on screen. Despite her experience with challenging roles, she admitted that she struggled with the final scenes of The First Omen and had to overcome the horror of the story.
The First Omen also features actors Tawfeek Barhom, Sonia Braga, and Ralph Ineson, with Arkasha Stevenson directing. The film delves into a chilling conspiracy that aims to bring forth the birth of an Antichrist, exploring themes of fear, control, and the supernatural. The trailer for the film offers a glimpse into the suspenseful and eerie atmosphere of the storyline, teasing audiences with glimpses of the dark forces at play. As the film prepares for release in 2024, fans of horror and suspense can anticipate a thrilling and gripping cinematic experience that builds on the legacy of The Omen franchise.
