
The Omen (1976)
Immediately after their miscarriage, the US diplomat Robert Thorn adopts the newborn Damien without the knowledge of his wife. Yet what he doesn’t know is that their new son is the son of the devil.
Details
Budget
$2,800,000
Rating
7/10 (2172 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Mace Neufeld Productions, 20th Century Fox, Harvey Bernhard Productions
About The Omen
Richard Donner's 1976 horror film "The Omen" explores the unsettling premise of a child adopted into a diplomatic family who may be the Antichrist. The narrative follows Robert Thorn, an American ambassador, and his wife, Katherine, as their lives take a dark turn after adopting Damien. Strange events and fatalities begin to plague their household, leading Robert to investigate his son's true origins.
The film delves into themes of predestination, religious prophecy, and the corrupting nature of hidden evil. It builds suspense through a series of escalating incidents, relying on psychological tension and disturbing imagery rather than overt jump scares. A key element in its atmosphere is a distinctive musical score, which uses choral elements to enhance the ominous tone. The unsettling nature of a child as a source of terror is central to its impact within the horror and thriller genres.
"The Omen" received generally positive reviews, with a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.5 on IMDb. It is recognized for its contribution to the horror genre of the 1970s, noted for its sustained sense of dread.
Why you might be searching for The Omen
People often search for this film due to its memorable premise about the son of the devil, specifically using keywords like "devil's son" or the iconic number "666." General searches for classic 1970s horror or psychological thrillers involving a child as the antagonist also point to "The Omen," as do searches for films featuring an ambassador or a nanny in a central, ominous role.
What reviewers are saying
One viewer found the film to be generally acceptable but believed it was somewhat overrated, noting that the middle section felt slow with minimal interesting developments until the last 10-15 minutes.
Read the full reviewA reviewer compared the 1976 version favorably to its remake, highlighting the original's ability to be genuinely frightening and suspenseful, with more believable performances from its lead actors.
Read the full reviewDespite some far-fetched moments, a moviegoer considers this their favorite 1970s horror film, praising Richard Donner's direction for creating a sustained sense of peril aided by the musical score, even if some scenes stretched the imagination.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream *The Omen* on Netflix. It is also available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, and Google Play Movies. For a comprehensive list of options, you can check JustWatch [whatsafterthemovie.com, netflix.com].
No, *The Omen* is not based on a true story. The film's concept was inspired by a discussion between advertising executive and evangelical Christian Robert Munger and film producer Harvey Bernard about the possibility of the Antichrist walking the Earth as a child. Bernard then commissioned David Seltzer to write the screenplay, drawing on ideas from dispensationalism and creating his own fictional elements [en.wikipedia.org].
At the end of *The Omen*, Robert Thorn attempts to kill Damien, believing him to be the Antichrist, using special daggers in a church. However, the police arrive and shoot Robert as he is about to strike Damien. The film concludes with a double funeral for Robert and his wife Katherine, attended by the U.S. President and First Lady, and Damien is seen smiling at the camera while holding the President's hand [en.wikipedia.org].
*The Omen* has been described as a successful horror film that builds suspense rather than relying on excessive gore [en.wikipedia.org]. While some critics in 1976 called it "dreadfully silly," others praised its pacing and the “firepower sound track” by Jerry Goldsmith, who won an Oscar for his score [rogerebert.com, en.wikipedia.org]. Retrospective reviews have been more favorable, with an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes [en.wikipedia.org].