Imagine a sequel to "Rosemary's Baby" if they decided to ramp up the violence and the idea of demons and satanic cults, and you would probably get something like "The Omen."
While "Rosemary's Baby" was more-so about the mystery of what was happening around Rosemary and the fate of her baby, "The Omen" is all-in on the fear and making you genuinely afraid that the Antichrist is coming and that the end of the world is upon us.
On the night that the son of American diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) is born, Thorn is told the baby died moments after the birth. With his wife Katherine (Lee Remick) unaware that their child was stillborn, Robert is convinced by a priest to adopt another new born child whose mother died during birth. The two raise their adopted son, Damien, in the United Kingdom, though Robert never tells Katherine that Damien is adopted.
But on Damien's fifth birthday, things take a turn for the hellish when his babysitter throws herself off their mansion's balcony. After this, Robert is visited by an Italian priest, Father Brennan (Patrick Troughton), who warns Robert that Damien must die in order to save him, his wife and the world from the Antichrist.
What sold me on the terror of this situation was the prophecy of the Antichrist, in particular how he would take over the world, and how it matched up with the life Damien was leading. It was a simple yet effective technique, since a five-year old couldn't show demonic powers and the apocalypse by himself.
There was also this constant ominous atmosphere to Robert's search for the truth, like he was always being watched by this entity that could strike him down at any moment. By that entity holds back, letting Robert uncover so much before doing anything about it. Is it because of the importance Robert must play in Damien's growth? Or maybe because this force just loves toying with people and showing their lack of control in the world? Either way, this force looms over the entire film like a stalker, waiting for just the right moment to sink his claws into his prey and getting the most enjoyment out of it.
Overall, "The Omen" feels like a middle ground between "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Exorcist," filled with mystery and intrigue, but also with the fear of a parent helpless to stop unspeakable horrors and monstrosities. With the satanic chorus, gothic architecture and ever-present demonic atmosphere, this does feel like one of the most evil movies I have ever watched.
Final Grade: A-
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