The Conjuring franchise has been one of the most successful horror series in recent years, spawning several spin-offs and sequels that explore the paranormal cases of Ed and Lorraine Warren. However, not all of them have been equally well-received by critics and audiences alike. One of the most disappointing entries was The Nun (2018), which introduced the demonic nun Valak as the main antagonist of the Conjuring universe. The film was criticized for its lack of scares, originality, and coherence, and many fans hoped that its sequel, The Nun II (2023), would redeem the character and the story.
Unfortunately, The Nun II fails to deliver on that promise. Directed by Michael Chaves, who also helmed The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), the film follows Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) five years after the events of the first film. She is summoned by the Vatican to perform another miracle and stop Valak, who is still alive and killing priests across Europe. Along with a new companion, Sister Debra (Storm Reid), Irene travels to a French boarding school where Valak is hiding and plotting to obtain a powerful relic that can unleash hell on earth.
The premise sounds promising enough, but the execution is sorely lacking. The film suffers from many of the same problems as its predecessor: an over-reliance on jump scares, a weak script, a confusing plot, and a wasted potential of Valak as a villain. The film also adds some new issues, such as an inconsistent tone, a lack of tension, and a poor use of the setting and the period.
One of the biggest flaws of The Nun II is that it shows Valak too much and too often. Valak is more effective when she is hidden in the shadows and her presence is implied rather than shown. However, the film constantly reveals her in full view, either in CGI or in makeup, and uses her as a cheap scare tactic. Valak loses her mystery and her menace, and becomes more of a nuisance than a threat.
Another problem is that the film does not make good use of its setting and its period. The film is set in 1956 in France, but it does not feel authentic or immersive. The characters speak English with French accents, which is distracting and unrealistic. The film also does not explore the historical or cultural context of the time, such as the aftermath of World War II or the rise of communism. The film could have used these elements to create a more interesting and relevant story, but instead it opts for a generic and cliched horror plot.
The film also fails to create any tension or suspense throughout its runtime. The film relies on predictable tropes and cliches, such as slow pans, loud bangs, creepy dolls, and dark corridors. The film does not build up any atmosphere or mood, and instead jumps from one scare scene to another without any logic or connection. The film also does not develop any of its characters or their relationships, making it hard to care about their fate or their motivation.
The only redeeming quality of The Nun II is Taissa Farmiga’s performance as Sister Irene. Farmiga brings some charisma and depth to her role, showing Irene’s growth and strength since the first film. She also has some chemistry with Storm Reid, who plays Sister Debra, a young nun who struggles with her faith. However, their performances are not enough to save the film from its many flaws.
The Nun II is a disappointing sequel to a disappointing spin-off. It does not improve on any aspect of the first film, and instead makes them worse. It wastes the potential of Valak as a villain, and does not offer anything new or original to the Conjuring franchise. It is a film that only hardcore horror fans might enjoy, but even they might find it boring and repetitive.
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