The Nun II (2023)

<<

Conjuring Reviews

>>

Maybe it's just me, but personally speaking, the 'Nun' movies are probably at the bottom of the list of titles in the franchise, or at least very low on it. The first 'Nun' felt a little preachy and forced, as though they needed to give the demon Valak (Bonnie Aarons) an origin story, and it doesn't even really come across as such. For whatever reason, they decided to give that prequel a sequel, which is again pretty weak, knowing that Valak definitely comes back, and thus throwing any real stakes out the window.

I mentioned it in the first 'Nun' review, but there's not much point to either of these backstories apart from money-grabbing. I can't even say there's any family connection between Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) and Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga), despite the women portraying them being real-life sisters. Like its predecessor, this is another cash-in, simply utilizing a universe that draws in horror fans and puts butts in seats. The story is highly similar, too, the short version being "nuns need an ancient relic to put a stop to Valak's evil doings," and there's some spooky shit that happens along the way.

As the last movie wrapped up, we were left with survivors Sister Irene and "Frenchie" (Jonas Bloquet), who reveals his actual name to be Maurice. Once the chaos is over, the film leaves us on a bit of a cliffhanger when Maurice finds himself "marked," so to speak, suggesting that there are definitely more horrific things to come. While Sister Irene goes on to serve in a convent in Italy, Maurice becomes a caretaker for a boarding school in France, where he befriends a bullied girl named Sophie (Katelyn Rose Downey) and her Mother, Kate (Anna Popplewell).

By 1956, signs of the terrible evil returning seem imminent, and Sister Irene is dispatched to check out a series of deaths that seem to be attributed to Valak, or at least something very close to it. Selected by the church to go it alone based on her experience, Sister Irene gets some company with her friend, the novice nun, Sister Debra (Storm Reid), because these religious horror movies need someone on the edge of belief so their faith can eventually be restored. Debra is actually a likable character; however, she essentially takes on the same role Irene had in the last film, providing more of the same.

While Sister Irene and Sister Debra continue their investigation, they eventually manage to figure out that Valak has indeed returned, but is busy terrorizing the boarding school, using a character we know and have come to like as her conduit. Just as with 'The Nun' last time, a McGuffin enters the picture once again. This time around, it's the Eyes of Saint Lucy, which Valak seeks to acquire to restore and amplify her power. However, given our knowledge of what lies ahead in this series, we have a good idea of how things will unfold. One way or another, the Nun will make her return, no matter how we slice this story.

The entire movie ultimately revolves around the Sisters intercepting the Eyes of St. Lucy before Valak can reach them, and the rest of it consists mainly of horrific scenery and jump scares that feel stale and lack genuine atmosphere, at least for the most part. It's not without a decent scare or two, and a lot of it gets pretty damn creative. For example, one of the most incredible scenes in this involves a magazine stand and magazines flipping to create a mosaic of Valak. I admit that I have not seen that anywhere else, and give it some points for originality. But just one or two creepy scenes aren't enough to save it.

When you get right down to it, this is a movie that defines "all style, no substance." Despite a few solid scares that I can attribute to it, the film remains highly predictable, and even more so if you've seen the first one in preparation, which is almost necessary to begin with. A part of me suggests that this chapter is slightly better than its predecessor, if only because it feels less preachy, and some of the scares are more effectively executed here. But if it's better, it's not by a long shot. In the "up and down" consistency of this franchise, it's definitely still in the "down" category.

2/5

---