davidobrien1995

The problem with many prequel movies is that you are always aware how the story will eventually play-out. The First Omen does what a lot of prequels fail to do, as it intices the viewers in to the point that you forget there is a whole movie franchise behind this story.

It delivers on so many levels. It doesn't rely on modern day jump-scares, and instead builds up a creepy and sinister story over the space of two hours. Likewise, the story telling and cinematography are an ode to the traditional 1970s style of horror film many fans of the genre are used to.

While it is not a star-studded cast, despite the sporadic appearances of British acting stalwart Bill Nighy, all eyes are rightly fixated on the phenomenal acting performance of Nell Tiger Free. Seemingly carrying the movie in parts, Nell's stellar portrayal of this troubled nun-to-be has cemented herself as a 'one-to-watch-out-for' in the future.

Combining the fine acting, raw cinematography, and gripping story, The First Omen provides viewers with a sharp overview of the Omen origin story and ties nicely into the overall franchise.

Bradley Cooper does not fail in giving us an insight into the incredibly complex life of the great Leonard Bernstein, through the lens of his masterful cinematography.

Perfectly cast, Carey Mulligan is bound for award glory with her portrayal of the iconic Felicia Montealegre - Bernstein, proving the ideal match along side Cooper's well-studied execution of Bernstein.

Seemingly Cooper, along with the film's producers Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, chose not to highlight the famous activism activities of the couple which spanned throughout many key civil rights issues in the 20th century, rather focusing on the Maestro's enigmatic relationship with his wife amidst his sensational rise to the top in his musical remit.

Oscar bait or not, those even remotely aware of the life of Leonard Bernstein must recognise the justice Cooper has served in this performance.

I saw this at the Cork International Film Festival, so seeing 2 Irish leads like Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal performing as they did was a tantalizing factor for me and those watching.

The film brilliantly captures one man's complex processing of grief and loss, with the protagonists particular story holding different factors for viewers to latch on to. It is a raw watch, which touches on the themes of loss, pain, and love.

The 2024 awards season should look favourably on Andrew Scott's performance in this film. His portrayal of this mans intriguing, yet sensitive approach of coming to terms with such tragic events in his life could not have been played better by any other actor. An enormous amount of credit must to go Andrew Haigh's directing and writing, who produced a flawless ensemble to play off of a script where every scene and word was situated perfectly.