First Appearance: The Omen (1976)
Played By: Harvey Stephens (1976), Jonathan Scott-Taylor (1978), Sam Neill (1981), Bradley James (TV series, 2016)
Kill Count: Indirectly responsible for dozens (some deaths supernatural in nature)
The Omen (1976)
In The Omen, Damien Thorn is introduced as the adopted son of American diplomat Robert Thorn. After a series of bizarre deaths and sinister omens, Robert uncovers a horrifying truth: Damien is the Antichrist, born of a jackal and marked with the number 666.
Though just five years old, Damien’s evil is not outwardly expressed through violence — instead, he incites death and disaster through supernatural means. His presence drives animals mad, causes suicides, and influences fatal “accidents” with disturbing precision. His most iconic moment is the cold glare he gives the camera during his mother’s funeral — an image that solidified him as horror royalty.
Damien doesn’t speak much, nor does he lash out like other horror villains. What makes him terrifying is what follows him: a wake of chaos, fear, and death — and the realization that this is just the beginning.
Damien: Omen II (1978)
Now a teenager, Damien attends military school and begins to understand his true identity. While still under the care of the Thorn family, he starts embracing his dark destiny. His power intensifies, as does the trail of bodies — from a drowning under ice to gruesome industrial deaths.
The film explores the internal conflict within Damien — a child grappling with the revelation that he’s destined to bring about the apocalypse. Yet by the end, he fully embraces his role, leaving behind any traces of innocence. With newfound confidence, he declares: “I am the son of the devil.”
His kills become more orchestrated, more deliberate, and often executed through manipulation or by influencing others.
Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981)
In this conclusion to the original trilogy, Sam Neill portrays Damien as an adult — now the U.S. Ambassador to Britain, mirroring the position held by his adoptive father in the first film. Damien is charming, intelligent, and now fully in control of his powers and influence.
He works to destroy any threat to his dominion, including orchestrating the murders of all infants born under a prophesied star — the children believed to be Christ reborn. His methods are cold, calculated, and politically motivated. He uses both supernatural means and real-world manipulation to extend his reach.
But hubris becomes his downfall. In the climax, Damien is lured to the ruins of a monastery, where he’s stabbed with the sacred daggers of Megiddo — the only weapons capable of killing him. His last words are a mixture of rage and disbelief, as light overtakes darkness.
Omen IV: The Awakening (1991 – TV film)
Though not directly about Damien, this installment follows his legacy through Delia, a young girl suspected to be his spiritual descendant or clone. The film attempts to continue the Antichrist narrative through a new generation but fails to match the menace or intrigue of the original trilogy.
The Omen (2006 Remake)
The 2006 remake of The Omen was released on June 6, 2006 (6/6/06) — a fitting marketing move given the film’s satanic themes. Starring Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick as Damien and Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles as Robert and Katherine Thorn, the film largely follows the structure and beats of the 1976 original, but with updated visuals and a darker tone.
This Damien is more overtly sinister. While he still plays the quiet, eerie child, his expressions and mannerisms hint earlier at the evil within. The deaths — such as the hanging of the nanny and the decapitation by sheet glass — are more graphic and stylized, reflecting the post-Saw horror landscape of the 2000s.
Director John Moore leans heavily into atmosphere, and the film makes use of more apocalyptic imagery and foreshadowing. The religious horror elements are ramped up, as are the political implications of Damien’s rise to power. Despite mixed reviews, the film gained attention for its timing and intense visual flair, keeping Damien’s legacy alive for a new generation.
Damien (TV Series, 2016)
In this short-lived series, a 30-year-old Damien is unaware of his origins until traumatic events awaken memories of his past. He is haunted by visions and becomes a reluctant participant in a larger apocalyptic plan. This version treats Damien more like an anti-hero — torn between destiny and morality — but still carrying the weight of being the Antichrist.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
- Damien Thorn is synonymous with the Antichrist archetype in horror.
- The name “Damien” became culturally associated with evil children, influencing everything from The Exorcist sequels to The Good Son.
- Referenced in Family Guy, South Park, and American Horror Story.
- The Omen series popularized the religious horror genre and influenced countless possession and prophecy-themed films.
- The original Omen won an Oscar for Best Original Score, adding prestige to its dark mythos.
League Placement
Damien Thorn is the Prince of Darkness in disguise — born from prophecy, raised in privilege, and matured into terror. He belongs firmly in the Premier Class Tier.