A favorable discussion of The Omen as a sharply made, unsettling 1970s horror film that uses religion, upper-class anxiety, and the fear of a disturbed child to create sustained dread. The hosts admire its pace, performances, Jerry Goldsmith’s score, and especially its most infamous set pieces, while also joking about its logic gaps and bizarre escalation.
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01The movie has an elite, high-concept premise that instantly hooks the audience: an American ambassador may be raising the Antichrist. Opening minutes
02The first 35 minutes are exceptionally efficient, moving quickly through setup after setup to build dread. About 16 min
03The film’s major set pieces are memorable and shocking, especially the nanny’s death and the church run-in. About 16 min
04Richard Donner’s grounded direction keeps the story feeling real until the final supernatural escalation. Opening minutes
05Jerry Goldsmith’s score is treated as a major part of the movie’s power and atmosphere. About 8 min
WHAT DID NOT WORK
Their main criticisms
moderateThe movie’s logic gets shaky in the second half, especially around the nanny, the dog, and how much adults tolerate the situation. About 24 min
minorSome plot mechanics are unclear or overexplained through riddles, scripture, and prophecy. About 1:04
moderateThe protagonists are surprisingly passive and slow to react to obvious warning signs. About 24 min
minorA few effects and stunt moments look very 1970s, especially the hospital fall and some physical violence. About 48 min
SCENES THEY KEPT COMING BACK TO
Standout moments
positive
Opening premise and 70s horror context
The hosts frame the movie as a big, serious Satan horror film emerging from 70s cultural anxiety.
Opening minutes Favorite
First 35 minutes of escalating dread
The film rapidly stacks unsettling events and introduces the central mystery with strong momentum.
About 16 min Favorite
Damien’s fifth birthday party
The nanny hangs herself in front of the family, turning the birthday scene into the film’s signature shock moment.
About 16 min Favorite
Church trip / Damien in the limousine
Damien’s hostile reaction to the church is a short, extremely effective suspense beat.
About 32 min positive
Zoo safari with frightened animals
Giraffes, baboons, and dogs reacting to Damien reinforce the supernatural menace.
About 32 min Favorite
Bad weather priest death
A storm-driven attack on Father Brennan is praised as a terrifyingly staged horror sequence.
About 32 min positive
Cemetery investigation
The graveyard reveal with the jackal and child skeleton pushes the movie into full gothic horror.
About 32 min Favorite
Final confrontation with the nanny and dog
Peck faces off against the nanny, the dog, and the reveal of the 666 mark before the ending twist.
About 32 min
WHERE THEY DISAGREED
The biggest debates
They partly agreed Opening minutes
Whether the movie is mainly about evil child horror or broader social anxiety
Bill Simmons
Both; the evil child concept is central, but the film also captures general parental fear and class anxiety.
Chris Ryan
Primarily a 70s social-malaise movie tied to Watergate, religion, and political corruption.
They partly agreed About 48 min
Whether the movie would work better as prestige TV than as a franchise of films
Chris Ryan
It should be a multi-season Damien prestige series.
Bill Simmons
He prefers it as a movie and argues the current films do not fully exploit the IP.
They agreed About 48 min
How much ambiguity Donner wanted around Damien’s evil
Chris Ryan
The ambiguity is deliberate and strengthens the film.
Bill Simmons
He agrees, but repeatedly notes the movie ultimately goes full supernatural.
15 People discussedActors, directors, writers, and producers
