The trailer for The First Omen takes us to a time before Damien walked the Earth

When a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

The film stars Nell Tiger Free, Tawfeek Barhom, Sonia Braga, Bill Nighy, and Ralph Ineson.

The prequel is directed and co-written by Arkasha Stevenson. She is making her feature directorial debut and has previously directed Legion, Channel Zero: Butcher’s Block, and Brand New Cherry Flavor.

I do understand that the film business is just that, a business. They want to make money so we see sequel, prequels and remakes. Sequels and remakes I can usually understand even if I do not always enjoy them. Sometimes you get a fantastic remake such as John Carpenter’s The Thing. Sequels can continue the story and, hopefully, take it to new places. However, prequels are ones I am never quite sure about. They have to be especially good and reframe things in such a way as to make you reconsider the events you have seen in the previous film or TV show for them to be worthwhile. Better Call Saul is a great example of a prequel. It took a side character and expanded on their life and it enriches subsequent viewings of Breaking Bad.

With regards The First Omen, I really don’t know. The power of The Omen was not knowing what had gone on beforehand. Of course, most of us have seen it and the original film was out in 1976 so maybe enough time has passed. There is some good talent involved and it is a pretty good teaser trailer. Will it add more to the story and the events that follow, or will it be an obvious cash grab?

What are your thoughts on the trailer and how do you feel about prequels in general? What are some of your favourite prequels?

Produced by David S. Goyer (Foundation, The Dark Knight) and Keith Levine (The Night House), The First Omen hits cinemas on 5th April 2024.