The Omen

An amazing piece of filmmaking supported by an equally amazing music score. The story at the beginning is a bit too tedious for my taste, but things improve with every minute, and the last half hour (or rather, from the visit to the cemetery on) it’s already a five-star worthy experience. One of the most balanced horror movies I've seen, where not a single component (direction, music, actors, script) lags significantly behind the others. (2008-05-18)

The skillfully written plot, in which the basic concepts of Satanism are explained in a very effective way, has lost none of its captivating qualities even after all these years. The tension builds up with almost "step-like" precision and leads to the end, where the final fifteen minutes should be taught as a lesson - there were moments when I even forgot to breathe. An interesting setting with cold, grand buildings, including the ambassador's house and numerous churches, adds to the uncertain investigation of Gregory Peck, who is a joy to watch. Together with him, the film creates an almost unhealthy emotional tension, to which Jerry Goldsmith's music significantly contributes. In my opinion, The Omen is the best film of its subgenre. Nonetheless, I give it "only" four stars because horror movies with Satanic themes never really grew on me. (2005-09-29)

Yes, there is only one The Exorcist, and as much as the ending gives me chills, I probably won't get chills from the ending of any other movie, except... except that The Omen is just extra-class, too. And Goldsmith's music in particular. I only knew it from listening to it on my own, but only here was it so demonic that I understood why even deaf academics were finally willing to give Goldsmith the Oscar (although he should have had at least three for Planet of the Apes, Patton and Papillon). (2016-06-22)

In my opinion, The Omen does not have the same power and impact as the very similarly themed The Exorcist. There aren’t as many intense moments, nor any scene of exorcism, which is not necessarily a problem, but occasionally the film can be a bit boring. (2005-09-22)

Unprecedentedly intensified atmosphere, nerve-wracking scenes in the cemetery, and of course the climax in the villa. Although it is not a purebred horror, one of the factors why I liked Donner's work so much is that apart from one of the final moments, he does not use traditionally scary moments, which greatly contributes to the claustrophobic mood. However, I would not praise it so much if it weren't for the traditionally amazing Peck in the main role, whose increasing nervousness, determination, and despair I watched in awe. This atmosphere can crawl into nightmares. (2006-11-17)