As I’ve made clear time and time again here at Final Girl After Dark and in the bread aisle at the grocery story, I love all things Omen. The stacked casts, the absurd death sequences, the cosmic implications, the occult madness, and all the twists and turns…it’s like there’s a 666 stamped on my heart. The 2024 film The First Omen was everything I wanted and also a complete surprise in that it’s not only a blast, it’s also full of fantastic performances and queer, feminist politics that reflect the very real (and very dire) landscape of today. It’s a visually stunning, occasionally gory knockout from director/co-writer Arkasha Stevenson in her feature debut. It’s a wicked addition to the franchise, and I love it so much that it makes me want to watch all the movies again—even the super not-great made-for-TV fourth installment. (Okay, yes, you know I love that one, too.)

Personally, I’m considering this episode the official kickoff to spooky season because it just feels nigh, you know? It’s like you can smell it in the air! Or maybe that’s just my pumpkin spice coffee, which I’ve been mainlining for a few days now. Whatever the case, there’s a guest in the Manor this week going full Omen with me: producer/DJ Lauren ‘Kittens’ Abedini. We get into religious/occult horror, using vulnerability as a tool for connection and community, the power of being gay aunties, and a shit ton more. Fuck yeah, SHOCKtober is here! Kind of!