The Omen

• Directed by Richard Donner
• June 6, 1976 (UK) / June 25, 1976 (US)

A young child that replaces a deceased baby unbeknownst to the mother may be the Antichrist.

Richard Donner had range as a director. Superman. The Lethal Weapon series. And in this case The Omen. Quite a varied range right there. And all were excellent. Not that this is perfect but it comes so very close. Anybody else think Gregory Peck was far too old to play a father in this? He was certainly a great actor, but he would be more believable as Damien’s (Harvey Spencer Stephens) grandfather than as his dad.

Here Peck is the well-connected diplomat Robert Thorn living the good life with his wife Kathy (Lee Remick) who seems to just exist with no more substance to her than what the moment supplies. I do not necessarily need details on her fictitious off-screen life, but she was barely a character as a wife or mom. The focus of the story is Robert and the dangerous Damien.

Maybe it’s just me but I know his son just died and all that yet at what point does it become a good idea to take a child he knows zero about that just so happens to be born on at the same time as his deceased son? The mom may be dead but nothing seems hinky?  I get seeking out a child for adoption, but not getting the booby prize so to speak. Then again we wouldn’t have a movie. 

The Omen develops an atmosphere of foreboding and darkness. It’s not about jump scares and cool effects but about creeping you out. Having grown up in the 80s and even today horror is synonymous with gore of one amount or another but not so much so here. We do get blood but it’s a small amount and not meant to be gross.

Perhaps one of the most shocking moments in film history is the very famous “It’s all for you Damien” scene at Damien’s birthday party. Suicidal sacrifice juxtaposed with a children’s party. It’s one of those things that no matter how many times you see it has a certain amount of impact. 

Part of this story works because in the context of the story a Satanic cult has infiltrated numerous aspects of society, including the Catholic Church. It especially gets me about this movie is the element about the Catholic Church being infiltrated by Satan. This is something I’ve heard as a conspiracy theory. Whether I believe him or not, I do enjoy a good conspiracy theory. It also works on the belief of some that the Antichrist will when they come will be a political figure of some type. Much more logical than say a Randall Flagg-type that shows up out of nowhere.

Robert Thorn is not a believer to the point it almost doesn’t make sense to not believe given what he sees. He justifies and excuses events over and over again no matter how weird or weirdly coincidental things get. On the other hand the photographer Keith Jennings (David Warner) notices some weirdness in two photographs and he’s all in. “Holy crap! Satan’s son is out to get me!” These are two very extreme points on the belief spectrum yet the two pair rather easily to fight the good fight.

I am not big on endings where the hero does not achieve some measure of success. What is the point of the story if there is no measure of victory? Done right it can be as rewarding as a clear victory of any type. All things considered Thorn stopping his adopted son would not have worked nearly as well as the near victory that we ultimately got. Downbeat yet organic in connection to the narrative.

The Omen is a classic bit of 70s horror. More atmosphere than scares. It is certainly worth your time to check out but only if you are looking for a horror drama and not gore.