The concept of horror films is very weird to some. Who in their right mind would want to be so scared they can’t sleep or walk alone through a forest? Yet horror movies have entertained audiences around the world since the birth of cinema, and there is something special about them. A good horror film will make you want to look away and stay glued to the screen at the same time. And that’s the case for what many call an “overlooked classic” that happens to be one of the best horror movies ever made.
The Omen, released in 1976, is widely regarded today as one of the greatest religious horror films of all time, but it wasn’t always treated that way. Directed by Richard Donner and written by David Seltzer, the supernatural horror follows the chilling story of Damien Thorn, a child who is unknowingly adopted by a wealthy American diplomat after his real son dies shortly after birth. As Damien grows up, a trail of death and eerie events begins to follow him, leading to the terrifying realisation that he may be the Antichrist.
The film starred Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, and David Warner, with then-child actor Harvey Spencer Stephens in the unforgettable role of Damien.
It was a box office hit on release and has since grown in stature over the decades. It even won an Oscar for Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting music.
Today, The Omen holds an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes and fans continue to praise it for its suspenseful storytelling and creepy atmosphere.
One reviewer said: “I’ve only come across The Omen recently and I have to say it’s very much an overlooked classic. It’s one of the best horror films ever made yet everyone seems to have forgotten about it.”
Another added: “Absolute cinema. Amazing acting, and the way the tension builds throughout, must watch.”
A third said: “Without a doubt one of the all-time great films. Classy in every way and a masterpiece.”
Another reviewer posted: “The Omen is an absolute classic that continues to resonate with horror fans for its chilling atmosphere and groundbreaking storytelling.”
One more added: “Haunting, disturbing and impeccably staged, The Omen is easily one of the best religious horror films ever made thanks to Richard Donner’s direction, a bunch of compelling performances and some truly chilling moments.”
A sixth fan wrote: “An absolute classic of the genre and an inimitable masterpiece. Made me scared of German shepherds until I was 12.”
Despite its critical success today, the film wasn’t always universally praised. Some early critics called it silly or over-the-top, and it was even listed in a book of the worst films ever made just two years after its release.
But time has clearly been kind to The Omen, with modern audiences hailing it as one of the most effective and chilling horror films ever made.
If you’re a horror fan and haven’t seen The Omen yet, many would say it’s time to fix that.