Elevated genre films like The First Omen work best when they function as dark mirrors that reflect society’s past and contemporary anxieties back at the audience. Such grounded horror projects are so connected to society’s most lingering fears that when terrible things happen, audiences are truly invested in finding answers.

The new psychological horror movie is a prequel to the classic horror film franchise, The Omen. The supernatural origin story shines a light on some of the questions fans already asked from previous entries. At the same time, the series’ sixth installment also introduces them to other details they didn’t realize that they needed to know

Arkasha Stevenson made her feature film directorial debut on the supernatural horror project. The prequel is based on characters created by David Seltzer, and was written by Tim Smith, Stevenson and Keith Thomas. The drama was produced by David S. Goyer (Hellraiser, Antlers) and Keith Levine

One of the feature’s actresses, Maria Caballero, generously took the time last week to talk about starring in The First Omen during an exclusive interview over Zoom.

Set in 1971, The First Omen follows Margaret Daino (Nell Tiger Free), a young American woman who is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church. She starts to work at Vizzardeli Orphanage before taking her vows, where she bonds with her roommate, Luz Valez (Caballero)

Under the guidance of Cardinal Lawrence (Bill Nighy) and Father Gabriel (Tawfeek Barhom), Margaret soon encounters a darkness, which causes her start questioning her own faith. Along the way, she uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

The First Omen is now playing in theaters, courtesy of 20th Century Studios.

Courtesy of 20th Century Studio – © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Q: You play Luz Valez in the new psychological supernatural horror film, The First Omen. What was it about the character, as well as the overall script, that convinced you to take on the role? How did you become involved in the movie?

Maria Caballero: Well, I first heard about the movie through the audition. It was an international self-tape audition, so I recorded it myself and sent it.

Then I was really looking forward to listening to any news. When I had the call back, it was with the director, Arkasha, and I just felt that this film was predestined in a way. We understood each other immediately and had a connection, through the eyes and through the words.

So I was waiting for the answer for one month. While I was waiting, I was rejecting and turning down other projects because I felt like this was going to happen. Meanwhile, Arkasha was fighting for the role to be mine.

Q: Speaking about Arkasha Stevenson, she co-wrote and helmed the project, which marks her feature film directorial debut. What was your experiencing collaborating with him as a first-time filmmaker?

Maria Caballero: She’s amazing. It didn’t really feel like it was her first movie. She’s so talented and above the situation all the time.

Also, she’s really committed to what she’s doing, so she would spend half-an-hour, if necessary, to talk with me or with another actor. We, as actors, feel really grateful. For that compromise.

Also, the movie was very big, so it’s a little bit overwhelming when you go such a big set. But working with her felt we were doing a craft thing in our little world. So we took away all the magnificence and magnitude that the movie had.

Q: The First Omen serves as a prequel to the classic horror film franchise. How much knowledge did you have of the original series?

Maria Caballero: So I first learned about ‘The Omen’ when I was in the audition process. I watched the (original) movie, and obviously, it blew my mind. As a result, I was even more attracted to this project.

I’ve been a fan of that kind of cinema – mixing psychological thrillers with some bits of terror – since I was a little kid. But I just didn’t know if it was going to happen for me.

Q: Nell Tiger Free plays the drama’s protagonist, Margaret, who is Luz’s roommate. What was your experience working with Nell to build your characters’ relationship?

Maria Caballero: It’s just a pleasure to share the space with Nell, both personal and professionally. Seeing her work is very inspiring because she’s so young and naturally talented. I think she’s been doing this for almost 12 years now. She just understands the job in a very pure way.

I come from schools and a lot of technique, which is the opposite situation. It’s very inspiring and liberating to see someone like Nell work. She is very generous with the team and the other actors. She would help everyone feel out the place, and make sure everything’s okay. So I really loved working her.

Courtesy of 20th Century Studio – © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Q: The First Omen also features an ensemble cast of supporting actors that includes Bill Nighy. What was your experience working with the rest of the cast?

Maria Caballero: Most of my scenes were with Nell, like I told you, which I’m happy about. Then I also had some amazing scenes with Bill Nighy, who I’ve admired for a long time. Getting to know and work with him was a dream come true because I watched his movies with my dad when I was a kid.

So it was a truly beautiful experience for me. You see these great actors keep working and asking questions, and they’re questionings themselves, as well. So I realize that that’s what makes these actors great. So yes, I’m just a very big fan of Bill.

Q: Principal photography on the film took place from on locations in and around Rome, including at soundstages at the city’s Lumina Studios. How did working in Italy influence the movie’s shooting style?

Maria Caballero: It was great. It was extremely beautiful and overwhelming with beauty. I had never been to Rome before, so I had the chance to explore the city along those three months of shooting. So I’m very blessed.

Q: Slavisa Ivanovic served as The First Omen’s stunt coordinator. How did you work with him to build the physicality for your character of Luz?

Maria Caballero: Well, I had to do a little bit of documentation because Luz is very free, body-wise. You can see she has danced and experienced a lot with her body. So I just observed people, going to nightclubs and things like that, and observing how women move.

She’s also really confident in her body and she takes her own space, but I’m not naturally like that. So I had to change a little bit of my physicality, but that was very interesting, as well.

Q: The colors of the ‘70s and the atmosphere of the orphanage are reflected in the costumes, which were created by two-time Oscar-nominated costume designer, Paco Delgado. How did the costumes he created influence your portrayal of your character?

Maria Caballero: It’s great to be able to go back in time and explore those years that you haven’t lived, especially the 70s, which are artistically so beautiful. Sociologically, it was just a moment of massive explosion of everything of life, of joy and of discovery in every way.

So it was really shocking sometimes when you were walking through set and you would see all these people dressed a little bit like that. It was just very cool.

Photo by Courtesy of 20th Century Studios – © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Q: The First Omen is now playing in theaters, courtesy of 20th Century Studios. What does it mean to you that the film is being showcased in theaters?

Maria Caballero: Well, I’m a little bit overwhelmed with emotions. It’s very special to see it out in the world. In the end, we do our jobs to share it with people.

It was inside of us for a year-and-a-half, and finally we get to see if people love it or not, and how they react. If we make them ask some questions about society and how we’re dealing with things, I’ll be really excited.

Q: The movie’s atmosphere and emotions are not only created through its visuals, but also its music. How do you feel the score affects the emotions that are created within the characters?

Maria Caballero: I was definitely listening to some ’70s music throughout the whole shoot so I could understand where we were at. It’s interesting that you asked because Arkasha played this song once when we were in a scene that takes place in the catacombs.

So she played this music for the whole cast. I don’t remember what was it exactly. But she played it so we would all connect within a specific vibe for the scene.

It’s amazing how music really helps a lot. It can take you from one place to another really quickly. I feel we’re very blessed to keep using it.

Q: Now that The First Omen is playing in theaters, are you interested in starring in more horror films throughout the rest of your career?

Maria Caballero: I look forward to doing very different things. This is one of the things I’m most proud of in my career because I try to do different genres and change my physicality and look a lot.

Now I look back and think I did it right. I want to keep doing it that way. But I cannot tell you what will happen next – we’ll see!

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Here’s the trailer of the film.