I've seen the original a couple times and I enjoy it quite a bit as an above average Religious Horror film (a favorite subgenre of mine) and as the classic predecessor to countless horror films that have followed. This new Omen is enjoyable for all the reasons the original is. It’s creepy. The Omen takes a subtle approach to horror when most other movies opt for gross-outs or the increasingly annoying sudden noise method. One piercing gaze by a stone-faced child can be a whole lot more unsettling than any rubber monster suit! Where the movie really excels is its use of symbolism. References to the Book of Revelations are scattered throughout the film, the infamous number 666 is used sparingly, large black dogs watch ominously from the distance, and steely glances from little Damien convey more hatred than any four letter word.
Going in, I had many apprehensions about the casting of this new version. I’ve seen Julia Stiles in several films and I always enjoy her performances, but I was unsure whether she could pull off the concerned mother role. After Phantoms and Sphere, I was confident that Liev Schreiber could do horror but not about his ability to play the leading role. Stiles impresses and Schreiber carries the movie without missing a beat. I even managed to forget that he was filling the very big shoes of Gregory Peck who played Mr. Thorn in the original film! The Omen’s cast is rounded out by Mia Farrow and Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. Farrow (Rosemary in Rosemary’s Baby) was extremely sinister as the nanny and Davey-Fitzpatrick was a great Damien.
If it seems I don’t have anything bad to say about The Omen, it’s because I don’t. I can’t think of a single thing they could have done differently to improve on the original and, apparently, neither could the filmmakers. The Omen is a horror classic for a reason. It’s a solid film with fantastic subtlety and symbolism. This Omen tells the exact same story as its predecessor and while the actors didn’t bring anything new, they definitely didn’t ruin it either. Kudos to you, Hollywood, you managed to not screw up a classic. Now, remind me again why you bothered at all?
Article comments
1 - Neil Miller
This is a great review, Jarvis!