The First Omen’s First Trailer Sets Up Damien’s Rise In This Prequel

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Before Damien, there was the first omen—and we just got a taste of it with the first trailer for the upcoming prequel film aptly titled The First Omen.

In the eerie one-minute sneak peek, we’re met with a foreboding tagline mixed among footage that seems to be playing somewhat in reverse: “To control those who don’t believe, create something to fear.” Oh, and there’s a distorted voice at the end of the trailer saying something unintelligible… but when you play it backwards, it’s something we’ve heard before: “Look at me, Damien, it’s all for you.” Spooky indeed.

This new film serves as a prequel to Richard Donner’s 1976 original, and according to the official synopsis, it seems whatever happens in this film will set the stage for Damien’s rise. It reads, “When a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.”

The new take on an old favorite stars Nell Tiger Free, Tawkeef Barhom, and Sonia Braga, with Robert Eggers favorite Ralph Ineson and the legendary Bill Nighy rounding out the cast. The film is directed by Arkasha Stevenson, who is known for her work on Legion. The film’s story—based on characters created by the original Omen writer David Seltzer—was conceived by Ben Jacoby, while Stevenson penned the screenplay alongside Tim Smith and Keith Thomas. Hellraiser producer David S. Goyer and The Night House producer Keith Levine produced the film, with Tim Smith, Whitney Brown, and Gracie Wheelan executive producing.

The First Omen is set to arrive on April 5, but the film will only be in theaters on its initial run.

Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.