Damien (2016) User Reviews

Thank you A&E... Really!

[urthpainter · 8/10 · 2 May 2016]

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

Modern Re-Working Is A Solid Effort

[tonya-jarrett · 8/10 · 8 March 2016]

I have confidence in Glen Mazzara's creation of this series, even if the critics out there trashing it, do not. One critic went so far as to say he would never give this show another chance after viewing the pilot. What tripe and how close minded. I gave Hannibal a chance, a re-working of another well-known character, and was richly rewarded. I intend to give this series a shot, let it unfold and see how it hits me, as a big fan of the 1976 Richard Donner film from which it draws thematically and musically. What I like about the pilot episode: the modern updating, the acting, the music, and not making Damien good or bad but basically innocent until his 30th birthday (why, I will leave for you to discover), upon which he must start grappling with horrific memories of his long-past childhood.

It makes no sense for Damien to start out evil in this show, as that leaves his character nowhere to go. What I hope will be explored is if the nature of evil, whether you believe in Revelation/the Bible or not, is a growth, a given, a concept that can be overcome, or something you ultimately must submit to and revel in as your true nature. And that conflict, the gray area, is much more interesting to me. This series will sink or swim, based on its ability to draw out that narrative. And in just viewing the pilot, I think it has a lot of possibility.

the best show in a long time and they cancel it!!!?

[annaleighbaymont · 10/10 · 6 June 2016]

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.

High production values, decent effort...

[Dr_Sagan · 9 March 2016]

My review is based solely on the Pilot.

This a TV series based on the fictional life of Damien Thorn, a man whose actual parents are Satan and a ...Jackal, thus making him the Antichrist.

Not only it is based on Richard Donner's The Omen (1976) but also in the pilot episode (and probably later on), short segments from the original movie with Gregory Peck and Lee Remick are included, as forgotten memories or flashback, tinted in red color. That gives to the series a degree of credibility and maybe is a promise for a solid plot.

Bradley James is very efficient as the 30 y.o. Damien, who (initially at least) struggles against his nature and his true identity.

The series seems to have High production values, but then again many pilot episodes have usually a bigger budget and thorough development.

Don't expect this to be a horror TV show. It tries more to resemble the atmosphere of the (first) movie. More creepy than scary, more psychological, more dark...

I'll say it seems like a decent effort. Neither the music (modernized Male demonic choruses) or the editing (sometimes slow, sometimes abrupt) bothered me, and the cast and performances are also decent. I'll keep watching, at least for now...

Promising Start .

[gurumother · 7/10 · 13 March 2016]

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.

This is a stunning show that is well worth watching

[jonnithomas · 9/10 · 7 April 2016]

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.

episode

[cristiancovrig · 7/10 · 8 March 2016]

I liked it. I always expect first episodes to be pretty bland but I found myself invested enough to watch it straight through (no stopping for reedit breaks or from losing interest for a bit). The main actor is solid, the tension felt good and not forced or fake, and pacing was nice for a pilot. Also, A&E doesn't seem afraid of letting things get a bit graphic. It's not Hannibal levels, though it would be pretty cool if it got close to that point, but someone got messed up pretty good. It's nothing spectacular but it seems like its got a lot of promise. I'll definitely give it more than my usual 4-5 episode limit to see how it progresses because it's definitely caught my interest.

Solid show that gets better with each episode

[jonmcg · 9/10 · 3 May 2016]

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

Great acotrs - lame plot . good pacing

[borgolarici · 7/10 · 14 April 2019]

I think the title says it all! The actors are very good, i think most of them did a very good job (i don't like Damien that much because i had a crush on Sam Neill, but it's a me problem). The pacing is good, there aren't too many filling moments and the series is overall entertaining. Sadly the plot and the script are a bit lame, so i can't give a higer rating.

Oh man this is stupid

[fatontora · 3/10 · 24 May 2016]

Loved the Omen so I had high hopes for this series. The premier episode wasn't that bad but as the series progressed the story line got weaker ,too predictable and boring as hell !!!As the story goes Damien has grown up to be a clueless yuppie reporter who is more interested in chasing after black tail than bringing hell on earth.He is just too dumb and nice to be the Antichrist .The rest of the cast walks a gray line between good and evil leaving viewers indifferent or bored out of their minds. The only cast members saved from this silly parody and

with some great acting skills are the rotties.Hence the 3 stars .I will increase my rating once they manage to chew up the rest of the cast along with the writers and director.

Entertaining and beautifully dark

[sc-946-360048 · 9/10 · 11 May 2016]

Having watched all three Omens film during my youth, I was a bit reluctant at first whether or not it would be possible to take a classic like that and bring it into the TV-series era. I've watched 10 episodes so far, and I must admit, they've nailed it! Its a thrilling experience from episode 2 and on wards, and the suspense only rises per episode. The TV-Series does a really good job of providing a bit of feedback from the first film into season 1 so it sort of binds it together, and gains a plausible "life" of its own as a TV-series. If you love dark stories, and the everlasting story of good vs evil, where the boundaries are often erased as nothing is truly completely light nor dark, but can be either at any side, you should really take a good look at Damien, which has a lot of gloomy sides.

Interesting plot but not depth characters

[s-parsi2005 · 6/10 · 2 May 2016]

Honestly i cant say where the story line goes. If an anti Christ tried hard to redeem himself that might be an interesting storyline with more action supernatural fantasy realms and fights etc. Damien is a dark character in routine life at the same time he wants to deny his true nature. he even doesn't believe in a God existence so what? would it be really important caring for others for him? Overall i get this title a score of 6 since it has some sort of suspense that i want to follow it to the end. i expected more bad ass characters from church side not a nun-like sister. I really don't agree with a 7 for this title. at the end it is type of TV series that supernatural lovers watch but it remains at surface and characters not give enough depth of emotion except my queen of heart!

Not True to the Franchise

[gabzw · 3/10 · 1 April 2019]

Had the show not tried to include the original movie or at least tweaked it, it might not have been so bad. However, the used original footage suggesting that The Omen and Damien existed on the same timeline. If that is the case, Damien should have been 10 years older than what he was. I understand that he was supposed to find his true calling as the Antichrist at the same age that Jesus died on the Cross but it wasn't that important to the plot and just created a plot hole. Furthermore, it was evident from the very beginning of The Omen that Damien was well aware that he was less than human, yet they make it so Damien "forgets" everything that happened before his 5th birthday? No. Not working for me. Plus, they try to make Damien seem as though he has a moral dilemma. Damien is the Antichrist. Just as Jesus Christ could do no evil, the Antichrist (Damien) can do no good. Damien, especially as he grew older, should have become more and more evil. Damien was never intended to be a likable character. Perhaps extremely charming and cunning but not likable and much less moral. I feel like the original intentions of The Omen were lost in this sub-par television.adaptation. If you genuinely enjoyed The Omen and the original story, this is absolutely not the show for you.

Great Show. Starts good. Finished Strong.

[wezg-97019 · 10/10 · 11 May 2016]

This show was/is fantastic. I was hooked since the very first episode and thrilled the episodes kept getting even better! I cannot understand all the hate and negative attention this show is getting? Im assuming that the topic of the Antichrist plays a large part of that and people being overly sensitive. The characters are interesting and extremely diverse and well portrayed. Bradley James and Barbara Hershey are especially strong in their roles the story line is intense with creepy, dark undertones and spooky as hell but utterly captivating. This is a show that has so much potential and room to branch out, i definitely will continue to support and hope for season 2. Give it a try!!!

Hooked on Damien

[hippiefishbeachart · 12 May 2016]

Damien was a great idea to do as a show. This show ticks all the boxes for me. Would of liked more episodes. Less Ann Rutledge and more about the followers of Damien. I would like more good vs evil battles and more involvement from the Vatican. I would especially like to see more of what the devil can do? How he spends his time and the power he has. I hope there is a second season after all this build up. Please let us know.

Absolutely LOVE THE OPENING MUSIC! If anyone has details please let me know.

Please also sign up for another season !

Terribly disappointing if you are expecting a supernatural show

[roguecritic42 · 6/10 · 30 May 2016]

I was expecting this series to be true to its name and genre. You would expect supernatural things. I mean the antichrist all grown up. Remember how sadistic that little kid Damien was?

Well unfortunately this show fails to deliver anything worth my time. It's more geared towards a down-to-earth version of the antichrist, very little emphasis on the supernatural. More of a show about morality and it's gray areas. I don't have anything against the casting or acting. It's just the plot is so boring and weak.

It deserves at least a 6/10 because the cast performs their job well and the show is put together well. The issue is the show fails to deliver to its target audience.

Excellent Thrills . Keeps you on the Edge

[jetkot · 9/10 · 30 August 2017]

Damien relies on the concept of Good VS Evil. The Protagonist we all know is the son of the Antichrist. However in human form he is shielded and protected and given good values. He has turned human but the Antichrist is trying to force him to kill. Death Surrounds him. People die wherever he goes. A Brilliantly executed show. Brilliant acting performances by Barbara Hershey , Bradley James, Omid Abtahi and David Meunier . I still cannot figure out why this show went off air,

Beast is best. Or not, as the case may be

[RetroRick · 6/10 · 16 May 2017]

There's good and bad to this show, and it seems there's good and bad to the anti-Christ too which is just a tad confusing. At least we might expect the anti-Christ were he to exist to be a bit of a deceiver, pretending to be an all round good egg, while in reality sucking boiled eggs like Louis Cypher in Angel Heart but in Damien we have someone who is actually trying pretty hard to be a good person rather than anything genuinely beastly.

That actually is the shows main strength: that someone who in the original 70s film seemed likely to be pretty irredeemable might actually become - as he encounters the competing forces of his identity - genuinely conflicted. Indeed this rendering of the Damien story makes it very clear that even if he literally IS the beast of revelation (yeah, let that sink in) he's at least fifty shades of grey as well.

Which brings us to his effect on people. Women fall for him. Well lets face it women would fall at the feet of any man who could claim to be the ultimate bad boy. Even the nun who turns up mid-series looks like she's sublimating lesbian leanings (well she's a TV nun isn't she?) towards the prince of darkness. Perhaps the ultimate bad guy can straighten a woman out and obviously the women around him think they can straighten him out too, well, maybe, turn him into marriage material or something, and for most of the series it looks pretty likely that they might succeed.But ladies, seriously, you can't change who we are, right. Comprendez.

Of course while there are some who want to save him from his self and from his apocalyptical destiny there are also some who want to help him fulfil it. Barbara Hershey is one of them, and actually she's a breath of fresh air, probably the best thing in the show. Amazingly this is a woman who's approaching 70 now, but could easily pass for her late 40s. Hershey is easily the strongest character in a series where the ensemble, although fit for purpose are slightly lacking in the necessary gravitas. It is she alone that really gives us the sense of who this guy might some day be, and she does a great job of juggling the facets of devotee and disciplining governess figure, taking over spiritually from that nasty protective governess nanny who appeared in the original film.

As for the actor / character Damien himself, he's not entirely satisfactory, although he does OK. On balance I'd say he does a far better job at playing the nice guy than the Leviathan evolving before our eyes. There's still time for him to grow into the character of course, not least because this is someone or some thing that is itself evolving, and spreading its luciferian wings. I am not entirely sure I will join this show for the next series but I am quite curious to discover where Damien will be taken as his inner daemon comes to the fore. Again, the inner tensions of this character who has to face the almost ultimate horror of self-discovery, is an interesting one, but this romantic tortured fallen angel (so beloved of teenage chick fiction) really has to go further than that if it is to present us with something truly, if you will, ungodly. The anti- Christ is supposed to be deceiver, someone who might be capable of brute force and violence on an unimaginable scale, but ultimately there should be something morally fatal about his character - and seductively so as well - not just some external brand such as the mark of the beast. We spend the first series in the company of someone who makes it very clear he doesn't want what fate has given him, and as such he comes across in this sense as someone discovering something alien about himself (for a good comparison consider Mickey Rourke's character in the aforementioned Angel Heart). But should the anti-Christ really come across as fairly innocent. The latter part of the series begins to address this perhaps. But still where is the pride which precedes the fall?

Loved it!

[rottngemma · 10/10 · 10 March 2016]

It was everything I was hoping for and more. It caught my interest immediately, kept it through the whole episode, and has me wanting more. Much more. I loved the flashbacks. The reminders of the original movie. The casting is perfect. The background music is perfect. Sad to see rototillers cast as such evil dogs, but at the same time, loved seeing the rotties! (They are probably the sweetest dogs in real life!) Completely loved it. I feel like this show has been made exclusively for me because it is just so perfect (for me). lol I hope there are LOTS of people out there that will love this show also, and keep it going. I would be so sad if this one got cancelled. Can't wait for the next episode! :)

It looks like Damien has a Bipolar Disorder

[ozytheoz · 7/10 · 20 April 2016]

I believe the main character Damien Thorn is suffering from Bipolar disorder. I watched all six episodes before writing this review. The disorder that is depicted here is very well put-together. It could be a result of great observation or even involvement of recovered patient. Some of the cast members were not the greatest picks in my opinion, but overall it's good specially when there are way worst series on air. The only thing I would've done differently is that to present Damien as someone else. He could've been shown as a non-religion related savior. It could've been more interesting and unique him being that savior and a world-changing photographer with special gifts instead of the antichrist which brings the series closer to Exorcism movies. Hope I was able explain myself. Didn't quite feel like I did.

Uninspiring.......

[s3276169 · 5/10 · 8 March 2016]

The Omen film from 1976 and, to a slightly lesser degree, its sequels, represent some of the best of classic horror.

The films worked firstly because of fantastic storytelling and direction. There's a building sense of ice cold dread and malevolent menace infused in each film that really sets them apart. The other reason they work is excellent casting with top notch performances handed in by stellar actors such as Gregory Peck, Lee Remick and Sam Neil.

To produce a television series that supposedly follows on from these excellent films is either brave or foolhardy. In this case, lamentably, its the latter. Damien the series, suffers, in my opinion, from uninspired storytelling, ordinary direction and ho hum casting. The result is a mediocre affair, that offers up a shallow, rather flat sequel, to at least the first of the three original films.

The series cause is not helped by the unwelcome dash of US exceptional-ism on offer in the first episodes opening scenes, in the form of a rather simplistic take on the conflict in Syria. Something, I would have thought, was best left for the mainstream media political pundits, to squabble over.

If you have not seen the original films, my advice is watch them first and then see how you feel about Damien, the series. My rating, five out of ten.

Dark Damien

[Pairic · 8/10 · 26 February 2021]

Damien (2016): TV series on Fox, a direct sequel to The Omen film. Damien is now 30 and works as a war photographer. Things start to go strange, people die around him, friends, enemies, those who know about his past. The Devil Dogs are pretty busy but other deaths result from being dragged into an escalator by a tie (terrible way to lose face) or being crushed by a taxicab. There are competing cultists who want to protect Damien and also those who wish to kill him. Quite dark and violent even though Damien is an engaging character who is a reluctant Antichrist. There was only one season of ten episodes and I'm halfway through it. I suspect I'll be left wanting more. 8/10.

The music is too much!

[mini_meigh · 7/10 · 14 March 2021]

I remember watching Omen as a kid hiding behind the cover and although the Ann Rutledge looks like she wants to seduce Damien every time which is a bit sickening to watch; I'm still just as intrigued as what happens next (and still hiding behind the covers) The dramatic sounds when something bad is about to happen is a bit to much though that I now mute it every time. I understand back in the day the need to dramatise programmes but would have thought it could be modernised a little bit. Still worth a watch though if you can get over the cougar and over dramatic sound effects

Good acting and characters but weak writing

[polarbear-28839 · 5/10 · 15 April 2021]

Quality with everything but the writing. Spun its wheels for 8 out of 10 episodes. Sidetracked by BS. Too bad. Had potential. But, made sense to cancel it.

Great first episode

[bsofakind · 9/10 · 8 March 2016]

Great first episode that moves at a quick pace.

A&E looks like it could have another top notch drama if they give it a chance and allow it to develop.

It should be interesting to see how they spin the series and if they stick with the original formula.

I highly doubt that many of the millennials saw the Omen with Peck, Remmick and Warner at their best.

They created somewhat of a masterpiece with a creepy factor that made you feel a bit uneasy.

Hopefully, political correctness won't filter into the reviewers take since Damien's disciple in Syria was a Muslim woman.