Year: 1981
Runtime: 108 min
Language: English
Director: Graham Baker
As the United States ambassador to Britain, Damien Thorn, now a shrewd 32-year-old businessman, prepares to fulfill his prophesied destiny. Priests, led by Father DeCarlo, are determined to prevent his rise to power. Damien expertly navigates his relationships, particularly with Kate Reynolds and her son Peter, subtly manipulating events to spread darkness and chaos as he moves closer to claiming his ultimate role.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Final Conflict yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of The Final Conflict (1981), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Damien Thorn, portrayed by Sam Neill, has now reached the age of 32 and found himself at the helm of his late uncle’s sprawling international business empire. His appointment as Ambassador to Great Britain mirrors the position his adoptive father held in the original film, introducing a sense of déjà vu to his life. Unlike the previous installments of The Omen series, this version showcases an entirely self-aware Damien, fully acknowledging his dark lineage and the foreboding destiny that lies ahead of him.
A celestial alignment occurring in the Cassiopeia constellation heralds the arrival of a ‘superstar’, a phenomenon ominously referred to as a second Star of Bethlehem. This cosmic event serves as a precursor to the Second Coming of Christ, igniting a disturbing realization within Damien; he orders the execution of all boys born in England on March 24, 1982, the fateful morning of the celestial event. This heinous act serves as his attempt to thwart the Christ-child’s rise to power.
Tangled within this turmoil is the subplot of one of Damien’s most loyal followers, Harvey Dean, who desperately attempts to conceal the birth of his own son on that cursed date. However, Dean’s efforts are futile, leading to his eventual demise at the hands of his mind-controlled wife, a grim consequence of his refusal to comply with Damien’s order to assassinate their child, perceived as a test of loyalty.
On a more personal note, Thorn finds himself romantically entangled with journalist Kate Reynolds](/actor/lisa-harrow), complicating his machinations for political dominance. Despite this emotional hurdle, Damien’s malign intentions remain unyielding, as he turns his gaze towards her young son, Peter (portrayed by [Barnaby Holm). By playing on Peter’s longing for paternal guidance, Damien pulls the boy into his sinister orbit.
Meanwhile, the righteous Father DeCarlo and a cadre of six priests, armed with the seven daggers of Megiddo—ancient and sacred weapons capable of harming the Antichrist—set out on a zealous mission to hunt Damien down before he can succeed in destroying the hope of Christ’s return. However, one by one, Damien extinguishes the lives of these devoted priests in gruesome manners, leaving only DeCarlo standing in the wake of his violent spree.
As the narrative escalates, DeCarlo delivers the grim message to Kate that the impending Christ-child evades Damien, yet the mission to eradicate Damien Himself still stands firm. In a bid to reclaim her son, Kate deceitfully agrees to bring Peter to the Christ-child, unknowingly stepping into a trap devised by DeCarlo. His strategy hinges on the assumption that Damien will lower his guard in the presence of Christ.
Everything comes to a confrontation when Damien senses DeCarlo’s presence first. In a shocking display of malevolence, he uses Peter—now fanatically loyal to him—as a human shield against the sacrificial dagger. As the boy succumbs to life-threatening injuries, Damien throttles the aghast Father DeCarlo in a twisted show of dominance.
In a moment of intense desperation to cling to his diminishing power, Damien challenges Christ to manifest before him. However, amidst this tension, Kate stealthily approaches, dagger in hand, and delivers a piercing strike to Damien’s back, unleashing a heart-wrenching wail of demonic agony that reverberates throughout the cathedral’s desolation. In the final moments of his life, Damien encounters Christ, who is finally revealed to him; in a repository of haughty defiance, he mockingly asserts, > “Nazarene…you have won…nothing.”
As Damien’s life force wanes and his body collapses, Kate stands vigil over his crumpled form, embodying the culmination of their harrowing saga. In a poignant closing scene, DeCarlo cradles Peter’s lifeless body, entrusting him to Kate. The narrative’s conclusion is graced with a Scripture from Revelation Chapter 21, Verse 4, symbolizing the eventual arrival of peace upon Christ’s return to Earth, an echo of hope for those who have faithfully awaited His arrival.
Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Final Conflict in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Final Conflict is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Final Conflict with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like The Final Conflict that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
The Final Conflict (1981) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
The Final Conflict (1981) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like The Final Conflict – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
End of Days (1999) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Damien: Omen II (1978) Complete Plot Breakdown
Final (2001) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Final Destination (2009) Film Overview & Timeline
The Last Man (2019) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Order (2003) Story Summary & Characters
Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 (2001) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Final Kill (2020) Complete Plot Breakdown
These Final Hours (2015) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Angels & Demons (2009) Full Movie Breakdown
Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005) Full Movie Breakdown
The Diabolical (2015) Movie Recap & Themes
The Omen (2006) Film Overview & Timeline
Constantine (2005) Film Overview & Timeline
Inferno (1980) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap