Females Take Action in 2024 Prequels – Michelle McCue reports

Women have played significant roles in science fiction and horror films since the inception of the genres, and over the years, the female characters have become increasingly complex and empowering. In recent decades, there has been a growing trend towards strong female protagonists in sci-fi and horror films. These characters challenge traditional gender roles and demonstrate intelligence in horrific situations. They are often portrayed as capable leaders, skilled fighters, or brilliant scientists. Some notable examples of strong female protagonists in sci-fi and horror include Ellen Ripley from the Alien franchise, Sarah Connor from the Terminator franchise, Laurie Stroud from the Halloween series and Alice from Resident Evil. 2024 has been a year filled with highly anticipated prequels that included many strong performances from women in the lead roles.

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THE FIRST OMEN – Review by Nadine Whitney

Arkasha Stevenson’s 1971 set The Omen prequel is a gloriously gothic vision mixed with genuine body horror and dark critique of extended abuse in the Catholic Church, and it is sophisticated and chilling. Two characters return from the original film. Father Brennan (originally played by Patrick Troughton and here played by Ralph Ineson) and Father Spiletto. Otherwise, The First Omen written by Ben Jacoby is mostly an original beast which plays with the lore set out by Seltzer but does so in a manner more punishing and psychologically sadistic than any of the films since the original.

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