Damien

As a particularly opinionated connoisseur of the horror genre, I fully recommend this version of dark prophesy and the emergence of the Anti-Christ. While far from perfect, many things are done extremely well at this early point (seven episodes) of the series.

I'm a fan of serious horror movies like Rosemary's Baby, Exorcist III, Jacob's Ladder, (the wildly underestimated 2005) Stay, and the Omen films from which this show draws inspiration. There are seeds of all of these films present in Damien - with minimal jump scares, frequent disorientation, and a wonderful atmosphere of growing terror.

Damien continues the legacy of the Omen movies, and does so utilizing footage directly from the first classic for story development. Anyone who has seen the Omen knows there are truly memorable moments that have earned a place in the lexicon of the horror genre. Damien lives up to the best parts of these films and is a fine example of the current era of great television. The brief synopsis is all one needs to know: Damien Thorn, a man who has been drawn to the darkness of humanity his whole life, but somehow is always protected from physical harm, must come to terms with the growing reality of his true identity, the Anti-Christ.

Production is solid, with top marks given to lighting. Darkness, strong shadows, and contrast are always present, at times unrealistically - but there is consistency to the look and feel that adds to the unsettling nature.

Casting is also excellent. Everyone is convincing, including the two leads, who were clearly cast for both ability and photogenic qualities. Damien's best friend may be the weakest link, but this speaks to the strength of the major players as a whole, because he's pretty good! Barbara Hershey and Scott Wilson have to be the real treat. Both are right at home, delivering top notch performances. Hershey emotes the love of a mother with truly sinister flair, and Wilson channels his best Donald Pleasence. Without this cast and their hard work, this show could easily be half as good. To this point, this show is certainly not for everyone. Some who can not suspend disbelief may find Damien tedious, even laughable. I too laugh aloud at moments, perhaps when I shouldn't - but I've always been like this with serious horror films, having a certain glee absorbing unspeakable content.

And what wonderful content! This show is not politically correct - throwing religious practice, emergency rooms, psychiatric wards, and military veterans hospitals all under the bus. Damien is not made to do any public service, but to entertain, and I applaud the unflinching approach. Meta scores be damned! Clearly this show is made for audience approval and not reviewers, who have become difficult to trust without first forming one's own opinion.

This is just the beginning too! With time to grow into multiple seasons Damien could really be special, and find a singular place. There is plenty of horror schlock, and murder saturated TV, but a serious supernatural thriller should have a place. Thank you A&E (didn't think I'd be saying that!).

Impressed and eagerly anticipating more, 8 out of 10

I am quite amazed as I didn't expect a TV series to take over from the first two films in the Omen series so well.

The characters are very well cast and played. The plot is very believable (that is if you thought Omen was). The confusion of Damien as to who he is or may be is credible.

So what more to say ? I look forward to each episode and have waited four episodes before writing this review just to make sure it really does work.

It uses some clips from the movie to add to the credibility of the story and does it very well.

The acting and directing are very very solid and well worth watching.

If you hadn't guessed I think this is a very good series and I hope it has many many years to run.

First, I'm really mad! Beside all the crappy shows on TV, that people find interesting and I can't figure it out why. They cancel one of the best in a long time!? Damien had a real potential and was much better then The omen and other movies in the omen franchise. It was much more complex, mysteries and row, and although it was based on the movie, it was original and unique. Of course the show wasn't perfect, but it also wasn't so bad as a lot of people said it was. Actors did a really great job, especially Bradley James and Barbara Hershey. Bradley James brought the new meaning on being the Antichrist, he wasn't just like I'm the Antichrist and that is it, but showed that even evil incarnated has a human in it and even Antichrist can suffer accepting his faith. And his American accent was amazing, I would never said he was British. And Barbara Hershey did a really good job making Ann Rutledge a real disciple totally dedicated to serve and protect Damien and it seems like she wants for her and Damien to be together forever and her believe that she is his mother, and nothing or nobody better cross her way protecting her little ˝angel˝. I think if the show centered more on the relationship between Damien and Ann Rutledge, It would be a lot more interesting kind of Norman Bates situation but reversed, here the ˝son˝ would call the shots. I don't know if anyone knows a real crime case of Stewart Northcott, but that case shows mother-son relationship that I mean.

Well long story short. It's a real shame that Damien was cancelled after one season and I'm sorry more people didn't find the show interesting. The show acquires a certain taste and not many have it.

I have just finished watching the first episode of Damien and enjoyed it overall, unfortunately let down slightly by poor acting from Tiffany Hines and Megalyn Echikunwoke who both had the emotional range of a brick but Bradley James was good ( I mean I never expect top notch acting but surely an actress should be able to conjure a few tears when called for ). The use of footage from the original film was well used and gave us just enough to jog the memory without having to watch it.

But if you have not seen the original film then get watching but don't watch any of the others ( just don't! its not pretty ). So Overall 7 out of 10 for episode one.

Don't write too many reviews, but on this one had to - guess it's my way of putting out into the universe - please don't cancel! Don't know too many people who watch it, so I am concerned, but I really think it has something after 9 episodes in. Yep, it gets off to a slightly slow start (which wasn't a problem for me personally), and there are some serialized "TV show moments" in the beginning that don't quite work - the death of one main character in the first few episodes, as one reviewer wrote, did seem a little forced - it's forgivable, keep watching. If you were a fan of the original movie(s), you will appreciate the love the creators of this show have for them and how they tie everything in to a modern day story that still stays faithful to the original things to smile, laugh, and be creeped out about - the freakish deaths, the conspiracies, the cabals, the dramatic Gothic Damien 666 music, the killer Rottweilers, that feeling of dread cuz you know it's all going to hell from here. Actor playing Damien is good - does a good job of balancing his confusion and resistance about it all with the rising evil in him (lemme guess without looking, British, right?) And bonuses - Barbara Hershey blessing the show with her immense Jessica Lange-esque presence, and Scott Wilson. All in all, guys from Walking Dead produced this, and I trust their vision and direction so far. And please don't cancel lol