Movie Review: The Omen (2006)

Sometimes, Martin goes to the movies. Occasionally, we collect his thoughts for a section we like to call...

Rant at the Screen

Today's movie is the Omen (2006). The Omen exists as a part of the 'evil child trifecta' with Rosemary's Baby and the Exorcist. Unlike the Exorcist series, I hadn't plumbed the previous cinematic effort of the Omen, so this was my first experience with it. However, the story of Damien isn't exactly a secret after 30 years.

The real problem with the story is how it relies on the audience not knowing that Damien is the son of the devil. Everything would be that much scarier if the horrible truth was not already known at the outset. It should be noted that this is the only truly significant problem in the movie. If you turn off the part of your brain that goes "he's the debil!", things become much easier to accept.

As a quick summary, Robert Thorn is an American ambassador to Italy. His wife, Katherine Thorn, lives with him in Rome, and is due to deliver her baby on June 6th. When informed that his wife's baby was stillborn, and that she is not doing well, Robert makes the decision to take a parentless baby they have in his stead.

The narrative quickly moves as Robert becomes the ambassador to Great Britain and their new London residence, and we advance Damien in age several years. Through dream sequences we understand Katherine's increasing anxiety with their son, and Robert is warned to take actions by a priest who winds up dead. Robert's journey to discover Damien's origins, and Katherine's terrified interaction with Damien and his nanny (the absolutely evil Mia Farrow), actually set up several very tense scenes. Robert's return home is especially climactic, leading to at least one cheer-worthy hit.

Now, I got a dissenting opinion on this film already... apparantly, some audiences are laughing at it. I don't know what's so funny (for once). After seeing mistake-fests like Ultraviolet and Silent Hill this year, I found The Omen to be surprisingly deep and engaging.

So why are people laughing at the Omen? The story is still scary, but best watched as a mystery, where the truth is slowly untangled and revealed. The deaths in the film have more emotional weight than being visually striking. Unlike the Exorcist where the powers of hell are in your face, he acts through agents, signs, and dreams.

If you like a good suspense or mystery film where the devil gets his due, this IS worth seeing on the screen. I'd give it 4 out of 5 points on a pentagram.