NEW HORROR: “The First Omen.” / “The Damned.” / “The Seeding.” / “Birth/Rebirth.”

“The First Omen” (2024, Hulu) supernatural horror film, a prequel to “The Omen” (1976), and the sixth film in “The Omen”franchise. The plot follows an American nun sent to work at a Catholic orphanage in Rome who uncovers a sinister conspiracy to bring about the birth of the Antichrist.

       Debuting director Arkasha Stevenson scored big with her first feature. This is a lot better than the original “The Omen,” aesthetics-wise although the 1976 movie was undoubtedly scarier. Credits too to screenplay writers Tim Smith and Keith Thomas. Their treatment is more plausible than fantastic, which is the usual case in horror flicks. 

       The plot follows an American nun sent to work at a Catholic orphanage in Rome who uncovers a sinister conspiracy to bring about the birth of the Antichrist. 

       The nun, Margaret, is Nell Tiger Free. Ms Free's “horror swagger,” as channeled in M. Night Shyamalan's “Servant” TV series, isn't the patented “scream queen” frightener. Nell's Margaret, as did her Leanne, is more restrained or contained. But we still cringe in fear over the terrified eyes. 

       I don't normally watch prequels or the 12 sequels and spinoffs but “The First Omen” is an obvious exception to breaking my cinema viewing rules. 🎥👍📽

“The Damned” (2024, Hulu) folk horror film. A 19th-century widow faces an agonizing decision after a shipwreck threatens to fully deplete her village's scarce supplies during a harsh winter. 

       Directed by Thordur Palsson and written by Jamie Hannigan, who adapted the screenplay from a story by Mr Palsson, this movie chills the bones on the get go. Grey, dark, cadaverous. Plus the Nordic folklore about the “draugr” is intriguing. In Old Norse, "draugr" refers to an undead revenant, often a reanimated corpse or ghost. It's a common figure in Norse sagas and folktales, often associated with burial mounds and the protection of buried treasures. 

       Mysteries, hints, questions litter the snowy landscape. Only to falter in the last sequences. But the performance of Odessa Young is 4-star worthy. 🎥💻📽

“The Seeding” (2023, Hulu) horror thriller. A man finds himself trapped in a desert canyon with a woman living off-grid who is captive to a pack of sadistic boys. But there's more, of course.

       The first half of this 94-minute indie is all mystery, intrigue, and erotic restraint. That's mostly due to the “what's really going on?” blur that the kneading flow posed, as ably delivered by Scott Haze as the lost Stone and Kate Lyn Sheil as the seemingly unaffected (at first) Alina, and channeled by the disturbing set. 

       Then the evil kids appear. Not like “Children of the Corn” sort. But we still didn't know what's the deal here. Then the proceedings got stuck into horror mode. That's it. Director Barnaby Clay got unimaginative and lazy to tease us some more. Done.

       I get the moral of the story or the overall message of the mischief. But uhh really. 🎥💻📽

“Birth/Rebirth” (2023, Hulu) psychological horror film, Inspired by the 1818 novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley. The film follows a morgue technician who, after successfully reanimating the body of a young girl, works together with the girl's mother to keep her alive.

       The plot, of course, is boring. The real horror show is Marin Ireland, whose deranged genius as a morgue technician is as scary as her nonchalant stare. 

       A fine directorial debut by Laura Moss (who also co-wrote the script with Brendan J. O'Brien. Her minimalist treatment of the scare plotpoints, no screamfest galore, no icky sound effects--still is terrifying to the bones. Along with Arkasha Stevenson whose exemplary first movie “The First Omen” thrilled more than it frightened absolutely deserve more projects.

       And perennial supporting character Marin Ireland finally gained the long-overdue notice. 🎥💻📽

GAVE UP: <>“Personal Shopper” (2016, Pluto TV) supernatural psychological thriller. About a young American woman in Paris who works as a personal shopper for a celebrity and tries to communicate with her deceased twin brother. The first few minutes/scene was fine and then I felt bored in the ensuing 15 more minutes, although Kristen Stewart seems fine.