Rated R

THE FIRST OMEN takes us back before the original film, telling the story of a young woman serving at a Roman orphanage before she takes her final vows as a nun. She discovers a mysterious girl living there and stumbles upon a terrifying conspiracy.

THE FIRST OMEN follows the sty le and tone of the original 1976 film, refusing simple jump scares and overblown spectacle. This makes the pacing more deliberate, which may turn off some people, but it felt like it was emulating 1970s filmmaking more than most modern reboots.

The story also offers some new takes on the franchise, juxtaposing elements of demonic possession against mental illness as well as framing society’s waning interest in religion with historic control.

There’s some screenwriting gymnastics to mostly keep the franchise continuity, but the wild plot swings and a well-earned graphic R rating makes this worth checking out for the horror fan.

THE FIRST OMEN gets three sixes out of five. Sorry… couldn’t resist that. I’m Kevin Carr, and that’s the way I see it.

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