Skip the Third Omen — The First Omen Is the Scarier, Smarter Possession Film You Should Rewatch

The First Omen (2024) is a prequel to the 1976 horror classic The Omen. Directed by Arkasha Stevenson and starring Nell Tiger Free, the film is set in late-1960s Rome and follows a young American woman who arrives at a Catholic orphanage and encounters a growing, malevolent conspiracy.

1. What is The First Omen
2. Plot and setting
3. Connection to the original film
4. Context and comparisons
5. Where to watch
6. Awards and recognition

What is The First Omen

The First Omen is a 2024 horror film that functions as a prequel to The Omen (1976). It was directed by Arkasha Stevenson and stars Nell Tiger Free. The story centers on a young American woman who travels to Rome to begin service at a Catholic orphanage, where she encounters a malevolent force and a conspiracy linked to the birth of the Antichrist.

Plot and setting

The film is set during a period of political unrest in late-1960s Italy. Rome and its protests provide a backdrop to the orphanage setting. Furthermore, the narrative focuses on issues of faith and the erosion of institutional trust, as the protagonist’s beliefs are challenged by both supernatural and human forces.

Additionally, the movie has been discussed for its treatment of themes related to women’s bodily autonomy and institutional control, which place it within conversations around the nunsploitation subgenre.

Connection to the original film

According to reporting, The First Omen delays an explicit tie to the 1976 The Omen until its final 10 minutes. In contrast, other recent franchise prequels have used early digital recreations to link back to earlier films. Therefore, the connection in this film is presented late in the runtime rather than early.

Context and comparisons

In 2024, several horror prequels and related films appeared with overlapping themes and settings. For example, Alien: Romulus—released the same year—was reported to include a digital double of Ian Holm within its first 30 minutes. That film later won Best Horror Film at the 52nd Saturn Awards.

Meanwhile, The First Omen has frequently been compared to Immaculate because both films examine female bodily autonomy and institutional control in religious settings. Critics and commentators have referred to the pair as “twin films” in some coverage, noting the shared Italian settings and thematic overlap.

Awards and recognition

Alien: Romulus received the Best Horror Film award at the 52nd Saturn Awards in 2024. The First Omen has been included in horror roundups and seasonal watchlists; it also appears in Polygon’s annual Halloween Countdown listings.

Where to watch

The film is available on major digital platforms. It is available to stream on Prime Video, and it can be rented or purchased on Apple TV and on Fandango at Home, among other digital storefronts.

For additional coverage, the film has been featured in Halloween-season roundups and streaming guides.