10 Recent Movies That Never Should've Worked (But Did)

It was tough not to roll one's eyes when a prequel to legendary horror film The Omen was first announced, with the film seemingly destined to be yet another lore-expanding exercise in brand reinforcement that basically nobody asked for. Plus, with this being director Arkasha Stevenson's feature debut, the chances were even higher that it'd end up a calamitous misfire.

And yet, The First Omen is a credit to "unnecessary" horror prequels and how, with an inspired throughline, engaging filmmaking, and great performances, they can prove even the most ardent cynics wrong.

Though undeniably familiar to a point, The First Omen's story slots neatly into the franchise's existing chronology while offering up an atmospheric and immersive supernatural horror romp, elevated by both Stevenson's tactile visual filmmaking and a superb lead performance from Servant star Nell Tiger Free.

While it might not change your mind about the prospect of The Omen franchise continuing on in earnest, it is an uncommonly well-made and smartly conceived horror prequel.