Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

Damien Omen II is a decent sequel to the original Omen film, which was released in 1976. The cast is very strong and includes such well-known actors as William Holden, Lee Grant, and Robert Foxworth. Jonathan Scott-Taylor is excellent as the precocious Damien who gradually realizes his is the Devil's son.

For the most part the plot traces a series of horrific deaths that pave the way for Damien to gain wealth and influence. It becomes obvious that many of the people in his life are evil, and are helping kill-off anyone who threatens Damien's rise to power. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the film is how rational, worldly people discover the truth about Damien and become unhinged.

Another strong point of Damien Omen II is the cinematography. Filmed largely outdoors, the movie captures nice views of Chicago, the Wisconsin countryside in winter, and the large estate that is owned by Damien's uncle Richard Thorn (Holden). There are also some vividly memorable accident scenes, such as a man trapped in a falling elevator, a crow pecking a woman senseless on a deserted highway, and Lee Grant wielding some scary-looking ancient daggers. It's well worth watching both The Omen and Damien Omen II if you like this type of horror film.

Drawing any direct comparison between this film and Richard Donner's 1976 masterpiece is a bit unfair, especially considering that this ranks as a genuinely creepy horror movie in it's own right. No one can ever do "The Omen" again. The remake was novel and interesting, but nowhere near the macabre majesty of the original. As "The Omen III" with Sam Neill proved quite painfully, it will not happen.

The young Jonathan Scott Taylor is more than competent in his slightly absurd role--the Antichrist moving into adolescence almost completely unaware of his destructive role in the cosmos. William Holden, essentially reprising the role of Gregory Peck in the original as the paternal figure who, despite mighty coincidental gruesome death after gruesome death and witnesses aplenty, cannot bring himself to believe his adopted son is the devil.

Damien is ripe for mischief and is entering, predictably, military school: where he encounters more than a few sympathetic characters (Lance Henriksen is particularly chilling) who are ready to assist him in his rise to power.

The scene in which Damien discovers who he is presents the most complex problem of the film. Reading Revelations (of course) and having a little recommended Bible study with his Sergeant at Satanic HS, he shaves the back of his head and finds the mark of the beast. Finally, he does it himself; no one has to do with dogs tearing them apart or evil nannies trying to stab them to death. Damien is growing up.

His initial reaction is one of horror. "Why me?", he screams at the heavens, and indeed, why? The only logical thing for a semi conscientious Antichrist to do at this point would be to "help make a difference" by throwing himself off a bridge. But then Daddy would be most displeased, and none of us would want to deal with that.

The scene in with the reporter Joan Hart is killed is unparalleled in sheer grisly horror. Having the misfortune to see "Bugenhagen's Wall" which has a very clear representation of Damien's face underneath a bunch of snakes, she insists on speaking with Damien's earthly father, William Holden. Big mistake.

The real villain in this film, though, is Damien's adopted mother. There are clearly incestuous overtones as she manically tries to convince Holden's character that all these rumors from anthropologists and scientists (watch for the elevator scene with Richard Pryor's cousin) that the young lad is Satan himself are filthy lies. And while I won't spoil the ending, she seriously gets in the way.

A fantastic, neglected horror film and the last worthwhile addition to the series.