The greatest evil in The Conjuring Universe.
The greatest evil in The Conjuring Universe.
Filmmaker Michael Chaves (The Curse of La Llorna, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) dives deeper into mythology in The Nun II and it’s an improvement over its predecessor. This time, things move patiently while the story and characters are skillfully fleshed out before the blood-tingling third act. The sequel brings back Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet and Bonnie Aarons, along with some fresh faces, for a demonic battle that feels grand in scope.
Five years after Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) defeats the demon nun Valak (Bonnie Aarons) in St. Carta, Romania, she is once again approached by the church to investigate a string of mysterious murders happening across Europe. Valak eventually makes her way to a boarding school in France where she possesses Maurice (Jonas Bloquet) and begins terrorizing the children and staff, including teacher Kate (Anna Popplewell) and her daughter Sophie (Katelyn Rose Downey). With her new companion Sister Debra (Storm Reid), Sister Irene must find evidence of Valak and learn how to destroy her before the demonic nun finds an ancient relic that will make her presence permanent.
After carnage is served in the opening scene, The Nun II slows down to build tension and establish its characters. Still, an ominous tone is felt for the entirety of the film and jump scares are scattered seamlessly. The relaxed pacing is made up for in a menacing and relentless third act. We grow a further attachment to the characters as the story unfolds what happens to Maurice after the demon takes hold of him and how Sister Irene is forced to battle the threatening entity. Fans of The Conjuring universe will no doubt notice plenty of connections and also a cryptic mid-credit scene that attempts to further establish a tie-in between the films.
The characters in The Nun II felt well-crafted, sharing authentic chemistry and believable relationships. Convincing performances are given from the full cast including Taissa Farmiga and Jonas Bloquet as the leads and Katelyn Rose Downey in an impressive standout child role. While we still aren’t given much insight into Valak’s origin, Bonnie Aarons’ portrayal of the demon nun is even more frightening than her first appearance, however, at times, closeup shots make her less effective as the story moves along. It is questionable how characters can so easily ward off demonic elements from simple actions like holding a door shut behind them; a minor criticism as audiences are used to suspending disbelief to some extent. Where the film succeeds is with the addition of a new goat demon that builds on the lore. This is a solid choice by filmmakers and the scenes with this new antagonist are amongst the most chilling of the film.
The Nun II’s fantastic cinematography conveys a visually atmospheric period piece in a sinister environment. The dark color palette combined with a strong use of sound elevates the haunting mood of the film. One scene, in particular, stands out when Sister Irene watches as a magazine stand slowly imposes a disturbing graphic of Valak as the pages of the books rapidly turn in the wind. This is just one of many stunning set pieces used alongside believable CGI and true-to-period costume design. While there are a few horror clichés included, there’s no denying that The Nun II is a visceral viewing experience.
Considering that subject matter like religion and demonic possession have been a staple in the horror genre for decades, The Nun II still manages to feel refreshing in certain ways. Director Michael Chaves and writer Akela Cooper take the helm to deliver a well-executed screenplay that smoothly ties into The Conjuring franchise. It may not reinvent the wheel but it manages to thrill with its brilliant performances, eerie atmosphere and cohesive storyline.
