Chronicles in film

The Conjuring universe has provided us with a mixed bag of spin-off films, including Annabelle and The Nun. The doll has demonstrated that sequels can be successful.

This time, the dark entity known as Valak returns in The Nun II. Has it ‘manifested’ a sequel worth watching? Perhaps.

The first film was an unholy mess that missed the potential of unleashing one of horror’s nightmarish monsters. The film had a trailer that deceived us all, making us believe we were in for a scary movie, only to end up severely disappointed.

Marilyn Manson, in a habit, returns as Valak (played by Bonnie Aarons), once again facing its holy nemesis, Sister Irene (played by Taissa Farmiga), who reluctantly steps back into the amphitheatre of good versus evil.

It’s now 1956 in France, four years after the nightmare in Romania. Evil lurks in dark places, such as the basements of churches. In a small town church, an altar boy becomes aware that something hides in the shadows as he returns the communion wine, leading to the violent death of the town’s priest.

We also quickly learn that other members of the clergy have suffered a similar fate. Father Burke (Demián Bichir), no longer in ‘service,’ leads the church superiors to assign Sister Irene to once again battle Valak in the name of God.

Irene heads to France with some unexpected company in the form of Sister Debra (Storm Reid), another young woman seeking her faith, who accompanies her. Not long after their arrival in the French town, the site of the first murder, Irene and Valak clash.

What does our demonic entity want? The Sisters head to the Catholic Church archives, where all is revealed. This leads them to an all-girls boarding school, which just happens to have a very familiar face as their handyman—Maurice, aka Frenchie (Jonas Blouqet).

The first half of The Nun II is a slow burner, gradually laying the bricks that pave the way for the demonic yellow brick road to the final showdown. It sets a chillingly atmospheric tone, with darkness, coldness, and some well-executed elaborate set pieces

All of this is delivered from Akela Cooper‘s script, which isn’t 100% perfect; it’s quite flawed. However, we are a little more forgiving since Cooper also gave us the equally bonkers ‘M3GAN‘ and ‘Malignant‘.

Many scripts falter when they introduce a subplot, and this film is no different. This story educates us about the events at the boarding school, with a focus on Sophie (Katelyn Rose Downey) and her mother (Anna Popwell). Sophie experiences bullying and befriends Maurice, setting the stage for Irene and Valak’s battle.

The subplot is interesting, highlighting that a mother’s love for her daughter is strong, something that prompts Irene to question her bond with her own mother. Did we need that? Probably not.

The final act tiptoes into the realm of the bonkers. Things intensify as devilish goats send the students running in fear. Even wine burns like the bucket of water thrown over the wicked witch from ‘The Wizard of Oz‘.

The Nun II is still predictable and silly, occasionally undermining the good it has accomplished. It also takes a little too long to reach the end and commits one cardinal sin – forgetting to give our titular demon more screen time.

★★★

Horror | USA, 2023 | 15 | 8th September 2023 (UK) | Warner Bros Pictures | Dir: Michael Chaves | Taissa Farmiga, Storm Reid, Bonnie Aarons, Anna Popplewell, Jonas Bloquet