During the religious horror craze, including films such as "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Exorcist," another movie about an evil child was inevitable. But the film that followed them created the most terrifying child since Regan in "The Exorcist." And with a rumored curse and a nerve-racking following, it is evident that "The Omen" is definitely one of the scariest movies of all time.
After his wife, Katherine, has a horrible miscarriage, U.S. diplomat Robert Thorn immediately decides to adopt a child and save Katherine the pain of knowing what really happened. They name their new baby boy Damien, and after five years, things seem to be going well with him. Until his fifth birthday party, when that young nanny hangs herself. And then more gruesome events occur. Is it all just a disturbing coincidence? Robert finds out that these happenings are far beyond coincidence. There's something wrong with Damien. Katherine can sense it as well. Soon, the Antichrist will have its day, and the apocalypse will begin. Is Damien the son of Satan?
I absolutely love "creepy kid" flicks, one remarkable example being "The Innocents." Children are a blessing in a parent's life, but as portrayed in these films, their eerie glance predicts that they are hiding something. And the thing about Damien in "The Omen" is that you can feel right away that he is hiding something from you. He's too happy, and he's never sick. However, you don't know whether he is the Antichrist or not.
"The Omen" builds suspense perfectly. The grueling accidents get creepier throughout the film, and as Robert keeps track of who his son really is, you are built up to one of the biggest shocks in horror cinema.
Just like "The Exorcist," "The Omen" had its fair share of coincidences in reality. Things happened on the set that went far beyond possible. This resulted in a greater impact after moviegoers saw the film. Those who were religious bashed it, and ran out to get their bibles. Priests protested, people worried more about their children. "The Omen's" curse and impact are arguably bigger than "The Exorcist." Anyway, back to the film.
Casting for the film was quite surprising. Gregory Peck and Lee Remick as Robert and Katherine? Who would've thought? But Peck and Remick's performances are emotional and sympathetic. David Warner does a nice job as photographer Keith Jennings. But the actress who's really notable is Billie Whitelaw as Damien's nanny and apostle from Hell, Mrs. Baylock. Whitelaw's performance is so undeniably creepy, and once things started going between her and the Thorns, you hated her so much. Whitelaw should have been nominated for an Oscar.
Director Richard Donner, who later would direct "The Goonies," does a great job directing, and thanks to screenwriter David Seltzer, the story is a winner. Seltzer pours so many references to the bible into the film in order for the audience to believe that Damien is the Antichrist. And trust me, you do.
And last but not least, Jerry Goldsmith's score is one of the most foreboding pieces I ever heard in a horror film. The Latin chanting brings chills up my spine each time I hear it. And once you hear the score, you can tell right away that something terrible is going to happen. Goldsmith didn't get an Oscar for nothing.
Overall, it's no doubt that "The Omen" remains a frightening and disturbing masterpiece of horror cinema. The music, the acting, the deaths, the story, it all leads up to what makes a classic horror film. The marketing posters for the flm read "You've been warned." Truer words were never spoken.
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