Director Arkasha Stevenson said The First Omen’s initial NC-17 dispute centered on one image of female anatomy—not its gore, violence or close-up of a demon phallus. In her account, the filmmakers changed when the image began and kept a profile view; the released film was rated R. That is Stevenson’s recollection of the negotiations, not an independently established account of the Motion Picture Association’s reasoning.
What happened with the rating?
In an April 5, 2024 interview with TheWrap, Stevenson said she was shocked when the film initially received an NC-17 rating. She contrasted the image that kept being flagged with other graphic material in the movie, including violence, gore and a close-up of a demon phallus.
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Stevenson described the disputed moment as beginning with a full-frontal image, followed by a hand emerging. The compromise, she said, was to start the shot later, once the hand was already emerging, and retain a profile view. The released film received an R rating, according to 20th Century Studios’ official film page.
Why did the filmmakers object?
Stevenson told Fangoria that the conflict was about showing a woman’s body in a non-sexualized way in a story concerned with forced reproduction and bodily autonomy. She said the fear in the scene was not meant to come from the body itself, but from what was being done to it.
#1 Best Overall
- In this psychological horror prequel to the classic Omen films, a youngAmerican woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church.Soon, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith,and that reveals a terrifying conspiracy to bring about the birth of evilincarnate.
Producer Keith Levine said the filmmakers went back and forth with the ratings board five times, adding that avoiding an NC-17 made the scene more intense. Producer David S. Goyer said he saw a double standard in the treatment of female and male body horror. Those remarks describe the filmmakers’ experience and interpretation; the interviews do not independently document the MPA’s internal reasoning or establish a general rule for how it rates such images.
What is The First Omen about?
Released in 2024, The First Omen is a psychological-horror prequel to the Omen franchise. Set in 1971, it follows Margaret, a young American novitiate sent to Rome, where she uncovers a conspiracy aimed at bringing about the birth of evil incarnate. The film was directed by Arkasha Stevenson and opened in cinemas on April 5, 2024, according to 20th Century Studios.
Rank #2
- Horror
The studio’s production notes connect the story to Richard Donner’s 1976 The Omen while describing the prequel as an origin story intended to stand on its own. Stevenson co-wrote the screenplay with Tim Smith and Keith Thomas.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to find the film
20th Century Studios advertised The First Omen on Blu-ray and DVD beginning July 30, 2024. Current stock, editions and streaming availability vary by retailer and country; the studio’s announcement does not establish present-day availability.
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Rank #3
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