Test your knowledge of The Omen with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of The Omen (2006). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Robert Thorn, portrayed by Liev Schreiber, is an American diplomat stationed in Italy, grappling with a devastating loss. He believes that his son has perished shortly after birth, a tragedy too heavy for his wife, Katherine, played by Julia Stiles, who remains in a state of unconsciousness. To alleviate her pain, Robert agrees to the suggestion of a Catholic priest, Father Spiletto, to clandestinely adopt a newborn whose mother died during childbirth. They raise the adopted child, whom they name Damien, as their own.

As the years pass, Robert’s career flourishes, elevating him to the role of Deputy Ambassador to the Court of St. James, and eventually to Ambassador after the previous ambassador meets a suspicious fate. They move into a grand estate outside of London, but as their life appears to take shape, ominous occurrences surround young Damien, played by Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. Disturbingly, the most shocking incident occurs at Damien’s birthday party when his nanny hangs herself, a tragic act spurred by the presence of a menacing black German Shepherd.

The unsettling events intensify as Robert faces a chilling warning from Father Brennan, a character played by Pete Postlethwaite, who seems to possess unsettling knowledge regarding Damien’s origins. Despite the gravity of Brennan’s concerns, Robert dismisses him from his life, but the cryptic nature of his advice lingers. Meanwhile, photographer Keith Jennings observes disturbing anomalies in the photographs he captures, presaging a horrific series of deaths.

To shield Damien, a new nanny named Mrs. Baylock, portrayed by Mia Farrow, enters the household with claims of being sent to protect him. This creates friction with the Thorns as Mrs. Baylock begins to assert her influence over Damien, even introducing a fierce Rottweiler without their consent. On the way to the funeral of the former nanny, Damien displays an alarming reaction when approaching a church, aggressively confronting Katherine.

Katherine’s nightmares about Damien begin to plague her, compounded by eerie incidents such as an apocalyptic frenzy among the animals at the city zoo, reinforcing her suspicions that something is gravely amiss with her son. Robert, however, remains skeptical, brushing off her instincts despite the mounting evidence of malevolence.

Faced with the growing pressure and bizarre occurrences, Robert encounters Father Brennan again, who delivers an alarming revelation: Damien must die to fulfill a prophecy. Brennan directs Robert to seek out Bugenhagen in Megiddo for guidance. In a moment of malignant fate, Brennan seeks refuge during a storm but meets a grisly end as a bolt of lightning strikes, leading to his gruesome fate.

When Katherine discovers that she is pregnant, her instinctive fear leads her to consider abortion to prevent another child like Damien. Robert vehemently opposes her wishes, igniting further turmoil. During a seemingly innocent moment, Damien’s malice surfaces as he causes Katherine to fall from a height, resulting in a devastating injury and a miscarriage. This traumatic event prompts Robert to finally consider the unsettling truth — there is something dreadfully wrong with his son.

Determined to uncover the truth, Robert collaborates with Keith Jennings and embarks on a quest to find out who Damien’s biological mother is. Their investigation leads them to a nun in Rome who reveals the tragic fate of the hospital where Damien was born. The duo’s journey takes a darker turn as they encounter Father Spiletto again, revealing crucial details about Damien’s lineage. Their exploration reveals shocking revelations in a cemetery, where they uncover the skeletal remains of a jackal alongside the remains of a human infant, indicating that Damien is not wholly human.

As darkness surrounds their findings, Mrs. Baylock makes her deadly intentions known in the hospital. Disguised as a caring figure, she insidiously causes Katherine’s death through devious means. After Katherine’s tragic demise, Robert, now fully aware of the depths of horror that his son embodies, sets out to kill Damien, taking the advice of Brennan to heart.

His desperate journey leads him to Megiddo, where Bugenhagen, portrayed by Michael Gambon, confirms that Damien is the Antichrist and offers a path to redemption through sacrificial daggers. Although Robert initially hesitates, he is pushed to take action when Jennings meets a shocking fate, decapitated by a falling sign in a moment of fatal coincidence.

Back at home amidst a raging storm, Robert confronts Mrs. Baylock after discovering the 666 birthmark on Damien. Engaging in a fierce struggle, he fights to rescue his son from the grasp of darkness, running over Mrs. Baylock in a frantic attempt to escape. On a tragic twist of fate, as he stands poised to rid the world of the evil within Damien at a church, Robert is cut down by law enforcement, leaving his tragic mission unfulfilled.

The somber funeral of Robert unfolds coincidentally with the Pope’s death, attended by the President of the United States. As the ceremony wraps up, an unsettling scene emerges where the President is seen holding hands with Damien, implying the child has been adopted, concluding with a chilling shot of Damien’s diabolical smile aimed directly at the audience, hinting at the darkness that still looms ahead.

Timeline

Track the key events of The Omen (2006) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


The Birth of Damien

Robert Thorn learns that his biological son died shortly after birth. In a bid to protect his unconscious wife Katherine from the pain of loss, he agrees to adopt another newborn who was orphaned when his mother died during childbirth.

Italy

A New Life in London

Robert's diplomatic career flourishes, and he is appointed as Deputy Ambassador to the United Kingdom. After the sudden death of the ambassador, Robert is promoted to Ambassador and settles into a large estate just outside London with his family.

London

A Tragic Birthday Party

During Damien's birthday celebration, a shocking event unfolds when the nanny hangs herself in front of the guests. Her actions are seemingly provoked by an imposing black German Shepherd that lurks ominously nearby.

Thorn Estate

Father Brennan's Warning

Robert encounters Father Brennan, who delivers a chilling warning about Damien's origins and suggests that the child must die. Ignoring the priest's advice, Robert has him forcibly removed, dismissing his claims as insanity.

The Photographer's Discovery

Photographer Keith Jennings discovers unsettling signs in his recent photographs that predict a series of mysterious deaths. His investigation leads him to the realization that these events are connected to Damien.

New Nanny's Arrival

Mrs. Baylock is hired as Damien's new nanny, claiming she was sent to protect him. However, her increasingly controlling behavior creates tension within the Thorn family as she makes decisions that unsettle Robert and Katherine.

Katherine's Premonition

Katherine experiences a disturbing premonition involving Damien, intensifying her fears about her son. A field trip to the zoo further escalates her concerns as the animals react aggressively towards Damien.

Zoo

The Pursuit of Truth

Determined to uncover the truth, Robert and Keith Jennings embark on a journey to find out about Damien's real mother. Their research leads them to a nun in Rome and eventually to a monastery where they learn troubling secrets.

Rome and Subiaco

A Shocking Discover

In Cerveteri, Robert finds Damien's mother's grave revealing a jackal's skeleton, implying that Damien's nature is not entirely human. The gruesome discovery is compounded by the horrific realization that Robert's biological son was murdered.

Cerveteri

Katherine's Tragic End

Katherine is visited by Mrs. Baylock under the guise of delivering flowers. In a dark turn of events, Mrs. Baylock kills Katherine by inducing an air embolism while she is in the hospital.

Hospital

Bugenhagen's Revelation

Robert meets Bugenhagen in Megiddo, who claims that Damien is the Antichrist and reveals that he must be killed on holy ground using seven sacrificial daggers. This disturbing information weighs heavily on Robert, causing internal conflict.

Megiddo

Dagger Revelation

Against Robert's wishes, Jennings decides to proceed with Bugenhagen's plan and gathers the daggers. However, tragedy strikes when Jennings is unexpectedly decapitated by a falling sign, shocking Robert into reassessing his stance.

The Final Confrontation

Determined to confront the truth, Robert discovers Damien's 666 birthmark after a fierce struggle with Mrs. Baylock. In a frantic attempt to take Damien to a church for the sacrifice, Robert faces deadly opposition along the way.

Thorn Estate and Church

Robert's Death

As Robert prepares to carry out the sacrificial act on Damien at the church, he is shot and killed by a member of the Diplomatic Protection Group. His tragic end raises further questions about the sinister events surrounding Damien.

Church

The Diabolical Smile

At Robert's funeral, attended by dignitaries including the President of the United States, a chilling scene unfolds. The President is seen holding Damien's hand, who turns and flashes a devilish smile at the camera, hinting at future malevolence.

Funeral

Characters

Meet the characters that bring The Omen (2006) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Robert Thorn (Liev Schreiber)

Robert Thorn is a devoted father and American diplomat driven by ambition. Initially unaware of the sinister implications surrounding his adopted son, he transforms from a man of reason to one desperate to confront the evil threatening his family. His journey is marked by tragedy and a moral struggle, culminating in a drastic decision.

👔 Diplomat 👨‍👦 Father 💔 Tragedy

Katherine Thorn (Julia Stiles)

Katherine is a loving mother who gradually descends into suspicion and fear regarding her son Damien. Her instincts warn her of the darkness surrounding him, bringing immense psychological strain as she faces the truth of her child's nature. Her character serves as a tragic figure, ultimately falling victim to the forces at play.

👩‍👦 Mother 😨 Fear 🌪️ Tragedy

Damien Thorn (Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick)

Damien is a seemingly innocent young boy, who harbors a dark secret as the Antichrist. His character evokes complex emotions in other characters, blending innocence with malevolence. Throughout the film, his disturbing actions raise questions about the nature of evil and how it can present itself in disguise.

👦 Child 😈 Evil 🧒 Innocence

Setting

Uncover the settings of The Omen (2006), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

Contemporary era (1970s)

The events of 'The Omen' unfold in the contemporary era, specifically during the 1970s. This period is marked by a growing interest in supernatural themes in pop culture, along with notable advancements in film techniques that enhance horror storytelling.

Location

Italy, London, Megiddo, Cerveteri, Subiaco

The movie takes place in various significant locations including Italy, where the story begins with the adoption of Damien. London serves as the primary setting where Robert Thorn rises in his career as an ambassador. Sacred sites like Megiddo and cemeteries in Cerveteri and Subiaco reveal dark secrets about Damien's origins.

🇮🇹 Italy 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🕊️ Holy Ground ⛪ Cemetery

Themes

Explore the core themes of The Omen (2006). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


😈

Evil

The theme of evil permeates the film, primarily through the character of Damien, who is revealed to be the Antichrist. The narrative explores the manifestation of evil in a seemingly innocent child, raising questions about nature versus nurture and the impact of dark forces in the world.

👨‍👩‍👦

Family

Family dynamics are central to the plot as Robert and Katherine Thorn grapple with their love for Damien, unaware of his true nature. The film examines the lengths to which parents will go to protect their children, even when faced with horrifying truths.

⚰️

Death

Death is a recurring theme throughout the film, depicted through the mysterious and violent demises of various characters. Each death serves not only as a plot device but also foreshadows the dark fate that surrounds Damien and those connected to him.

© 2025 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.