Eerste reacties op 'Omen'-prequel 'The First Omen': kijken of skippen?

Volgende week verschijnt The First Omen, die dient als prequel op de bekende klassieker The Omen uit 1976. Sommige recensenten hebben zoals gewoonlijk al de kans gehad om de nieuwe titel te zien. Hun reacties hebben inmiddels een weg naar X gevonden en deze zijn... verrassing... positief! Social media staat vol met lof. Zo wordt The First Omen onder andere verontrustend, huiveringwekkend, verbluffend, fascinerend en onberouwvol griezelig genoemd. Dat belooft dus wat. R-rating voor "geweld, enge beelden en expliciete naaktheid" Wanneer een jonge Amerikaanse vrouw naar Rome wordt gestuurd om te leven in dienst van de kerk, ontdekt ze een duisternis waardoor ze haar eigen geloof in twijfel trekt en een angstaanjagende samenzwering die hoopt de geboorte van het vleesgeworden kwaad tot stand te brengen. Het origineel werd gevolgd door Damien: Omen II in 1978, Omen III: The Final Conflict in 1981, Omen IV: The Awakening in 1991 en een succesvolle remake uit 2006. Dit is dus alweer de zesde inzending in de franchise. Een greep uit enkele van de reacties:

Our man @JimmytotheO saw #TheFirstOmen The First Omen is far better than you could imagine. A smart and disturbing prequel, one that features a stunning performance from Nell Tiger Free. While it may not grab you instantly, it will grab you as more is revealed. Arkasha Stevenson...

-- JoBlo.com (@joblocom) March 27, 2024

The First Omen welcomes horror fans back to this chilling world right from the start! Wish it leaned more into its R-rating but when it brings the gore, it BRINGS THE GORE! Nell Tiger Free takes viewers on a journey with her that'll have you questioning everything. #TheFirstOmen pic.twitter.com/DcfMLIBn8M

-- Tessa Smith - Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) March 27, 2024

The First Omen is pretty solid. Gory, intense, a nice little mystery in there too. It also weaves its way into the original in ways both expected and not. It's a little uneven and predictable but when it hits, it hits hard. Not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. pic.twitter.com/mPkhGs7TkR

-- Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) March 27, 2024

The First Omen ?? was amazing! @20thcentury @20thHorror https://t.co/44sOYuLJ3N

-- VAMP ? (@Vamp) March 27, 2024

I am not being hyperbolic when I say THE FIRST OMEN is surprising. Do not dismiss seeing this film. What it does to honor its predecessors and add onto the mythos is fascinating. #TheFirstOmen lays down the path for the future and all of its possibilities.

-- Sarah Musnicky (@sarahmusnicky) March 27, 2024

The 1976 version of The Omen had some chilling & controversial scenes, and #TheFirstOmen raises the bar. The film is a worthy prequel to the original. The First Omen is creepy, eerie, and unsettling. There's one scene in particular that is bound to have people talking. pic.twitter.com/d2dwNZ0oSn

-- Joseph Deckelmeier (@joedeckelmeier) March 27, 2024

The First Omen: Holy Hell. I'd expect a horror this unrepentantly ghoulish from a small studio, not 20th Century. Graphic, grisly, and with a protracted homage to Possession. pic.twitter.com/BYnZBiYR5F

-- Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 27, 2024

WELL. THE FIRST OMEN is the real deal. Terrifying, a tremendous performance by Nell Tiger Free, and some of the best horror cinematography I've seen in a long time. Many scenes and choices were truly inspired. Absolutely dug it. #TheFirstOmen https://t.co/pqQlULv9C6

-- Jeff Ewing (@ReelJeffEwing) March 27, 2024

THE FIRST OMEN stunned me. An incredibly thoughtful and shattering look at sexual assault in the Catholic Church while also providing the tension of the original film. This is the religious horror I've been waiting for. Exquisitely repulsive. Also 10/10 Possession homage. pic.twitter.com/wYWf0s2dxc

-- Mary Beth McAndrews (@mbmcandrews) March 27, 2024

The entire cast is wholly committed here, but Nell Tiger Free commands the screen. The physicality she taps into in THE FIRST OMEN is visceral. What is most damning - for better or worse - is how timely and timeless the overarching motivation is here for the horror. #TheFirstOmen pic.twitter.com/3YrXVQzdx0

-- Sarah Musnicky (@sarahmusnicky) March 27, 2024

So, I'm a big fan of Arkasha Stevenson's THE FIRST OMEN. I truly *love* the first three Omen movies and I *love* how this one ends right at the beginning of Richard Donner's 1976 THE OMEN. It's the ROGUE ONE of Omen movies.

-- Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) March 27, 2024

#TheFirstOmen is quite effective. Pacing is a bit off in first half but it has rather unsettling and wild moments as it progresses - including one shot I am amazed made it into the movie and was so insane to see, the audience applauded. Nell Tiger Free is really great in it. pic.twitter.com/zFYiljLcsj

-- Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) March 27, 2024

Did not expect much from The First Omen, but it's a well-worthy prequel to Richard Donner's 1976 classic. Great sound design and cinematography. And it's got some bloody good scary moments. #thefirstomen https://t.co/3RufJn7V47

-- Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) March 27, 2024

The First Omen is a mix of Rosemary's Baby & The Handmaid's Tale. It's disturbing and dark. It feels very European rather than a Hollywood production. Nell Tiger Free is captivating. Although it's been a while since watching the 1976 movie, it triggers callbacks. #screening pic.twitter.com/rD1ckxWsK6

-- CineMovie TV (@CineMovie) March 27, 2024

I enjoyed #TheFirstOmen, which won me over in the third act. There's one gory moment that's gonna STICK WITH ME. You don't have to see the OG to get it, but I do wish I had revisited it first, because there are some deep connections. Nell Tiger Free is a killer lead! pic.twitter.com/OZkEyBEsuG

-- Jamie Jirak (@JamieCinematics) March 27, 2024