The Nun II, the follow-up to 2018’s original, is now streaming, so of course, I had to check it out. First, let me say, unlike most critics, I actually liked the original. I thought it was a great addition to The Conjuring universe, and I must not be alone because it is the highest-grossing installment of the entire franchise. So, the question is, is The Nun II worth the hype? Let me answer that.
The Nun II picks up four years after the events at Covent in Romania. Once again, sister Irene is called upon to face Velek, the demon nun, when a series of strange suicides of the clergy begin to happen. All the deaths have two in common: Frenchie has worked or visited the churches, and they are all connected to one family. Sister Irene and her new assistant, a young nun, arrive at a boarding school to find Frenchie possessed by the evil entity. They must now locate a holy relic in order to stop the demon nun for good and free Frenchie from its grip.
Once again, Taissa Farmiga, who plays Sister Irene, and Jonas Bloquet, who stars as Frenchie/Maurice, deliver great emotional performances and make their characters ones you want to cheer for. The scenes where Frenchie is possessed are truly chilling as you hear his bones snap, his joints crack, and his body contorts when the entity takes over. Bonnie Aarons’ Valek is still creepy AF. The addition of the demon goat was a great idea, and it’s horrifying, especially as it goes after the children of the school. Young actress Katelyn Rose Downey’s Sophie is an essential new character, with her relationship with Frenchie showing his human side. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her again in the Conjuring Universe.
As for the story, it was both exciting and compelling. And I appreciate that we finally learn more about Valek’s original story, though it did feel a little shallow. I do think the death of Father Burke, whom Sister Irene teemed up tithe in the original, could have been told better. It felt like an afterthought. There’s a lot of action in the sequel: people being slaughtered, chase scenes, people being tossed around rooms, and destruction, keeping you interested. The fact that so many kids are involved also adds to the sense of danger and unease.
The special effects are fantastic. There’s one scene in particular that I was really impressed with, which you get a glimpse of in the trailer. Sister Irene stands before a wall of magazines as they flip through their pages, revealing a collage image of The Nun before she suddenly appears. It was a minor scene, but its execution was absolutely amazing. Of course, there are many scenes featuring more elaborate interactions with Valek and the demon goat, but that scene stuck in my mind.
The question is, is The Nun II a good movie? I think it is. There’s more than enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. Yes, there are a few things that felt shallow, but overall, it’s a good movie with both jump scares and scares created out of built-up tension.
The Nun II is now streaming on MAX and is totally worth a watch. I recommend, since it’s been five years since the original’s release, to rewatch the original before watching the sequel to refresh your memory because its events, even the smallest ones, are mentioned again and again in the sequel. You can find The Nun on MAX as well.
If you’re in the mood for a movie marathon featuring nuns, you should also check out Netflix’s Sister Death, the prequel to Netflix’s acclaimed true-story-inspired Spanish horror film Veronica, which premiered this weekend alongside four other “must-see” horror movies.
