“Shooting some of the most the grimmest scenes, you have to laugh as otherwise you could be in trouble”: Bill Nighy and Nell Tiger Free on The First Omen

A precursor to the original Omen film from 1976 by Richard Donner, The First Omen shifts the focus onto the events that predated and led up to the birth of the antichrist Damian Thorn. Directed by Arkasha Stevenson, with a moving score from composer Mark Korven, the suspenseful horror delivers religious symbolism merged with violence, the supernatural, sin and redemption.

When Margaret (Nell Tiger Free) is invited to Rome by Father Lawrence (Bill Nighy) to work in a nun-run orphanage school, she is set to start her new chapter as a faithful devotee ready to take the veil. Her sassy roommate persuades her to have a night of freedom before entering a life of servitude and soon after she realises the convent has other ideas for her future there.

The cinematography from Aaron Morton strikes a balance between ethereal and dark: candles illuminate many of the scenes and a slow-building mix of hallucinations and psychological pressure give this horror layers of complexities to unpick as the story unfolds.

The Upcoming had the pleasure of speaking to Bill Nighy and Nell Tiger Free about what they thought when they read the script and how they prepared for their roles. They also talked about their favourite scenes and the way the story gives background to the famous Omen feature.

Ezelle Alblas

The First Omen is released nationwide on 5^th April 2024.

Watch the trailer for The First Omen here: