by Austen Terry, Contributing Writer
In 2013, the Conjuring universe began bringing us a detailed look into the case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Annabelle doll clearly began as the scariest of the Warrens’ cases, and she quickly got her own spinoff trilogy. That was until 2016, when The Conjuring 2 introduced us to the Warren’s scariest demon yet, The Nun, also known as Valak, and played masterfully by Bonnie Aarons. The demon nun built on Annabelle’s solo success by getting her own movie in 2018. Simply titled, The Nun, the film saw series regular Vera Farmiga’s sister, Taissa, cast as Sister Irene, who, along with Father Burke (Demián Bichir) and Maurice (Jonas Bloquet), fights the nun. Well finally in 2023, we’ve gotten the next installment into this ever-expanding universe with The Nun II.
The movie picks up in 1956, four years after the first encounter. We find Sister Irene living in a monastery among other nuns, and her battle with the demon nun has become a legend. Maurice is now living in France, working as a handyman at an all-girls boarding school. When one day a priest is burned alive, they find this is another in a line of killings all moving westward from Romania. So the Vatican enlists Sister Irene’s help because they believe this demon nun has returned. Sister Debra (Storm Reid) comes along for the journey that leads the sisters in search of another relic that can stop the nun, and possibly save Maurice. With a sequel has to come more characters to help, and we are introduced to the girls’ school for the majority of the film. But it also focuses on mother and daughter Kate (Anna Popplewell) and Sophie (Katelyn Rose Downey). You are definitely in for a wild ride to stop this evil entity once in for all.
Michael Chaves grabs the directing chair this time around; it’s now his third movie in the Conjuring universe after The Curse of La Llorona, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. His work shines here in The Nun II — he has tremendously improved the camerawork and the jump scares, which truly helps this movie. There are several shots that are reminiscent of Mike Flanagan. The story is where the movie is cut off at the legs, though, because we have already seen what happens to Maurice and the nun in previous movies. But despite this, it’s still a good watch heading into spooky season.
Farmiga and Reid shine in their scenes together, and make me hope we get at least one more entry in this series. Bloquet, Popplewell, and Downey really give the film its heart and something worth fighting for in the end. As always, Aarons shines bright as the titular nun. She is terrifying, and is truly a force to be reckoned with.
The Nun II isn’t just another movie in a massive franchise — it really only relies on you having seen the first one, which is rare in a running series of movies. It has things all types of fans will love, from excellent jump scares to more story. There is even lore from Catholic mythology about the tragedy of Saint Lucy that plays an important role in the film. This movie is a great addition to the horror genre on so many levels.
Rating: High Side of Liked It
The Nun II is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Austen Terry, or follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd