Film review: ‘The Nun II’
Image: Warner Bros. Philippines
Raking in an astounding $2 billion worldwide at the box office across eight films in 10 years, the Conjuring Universe celebrates one decade with “The Nun II.” The sequel marks the return of Valak (Bonnie Aarons) and Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga reprising her role as the visionary nun).
With bigger set-pieces, inventive jump scares and strong performances, “The Nun II” is the superior sequel the iconic movie monster deserves.
Several years after the incident in Saint Cartha in Romania, the Church again called on Sister Irene (Farmiga) to investigate a series of gruesome murders across Europe. Joining her is Sister Debra (Storm Reid, “The Last of Us”), a rebellious young nun from Mississippi.
The trail of blood looks familiar—the perpetrator points to an old demonic foe. Together, they uncover Valak’s plan to retrieve a powerful relic, which leads them to a French boarding school where an old friend lives. Frenchie (Jonas Bloquet, “Elle”), who saved Sister Irene in her first encounter with the demon nun, has been serving as the human vessel of Valak.
What separates “The Nun II” from the first film is the engaging story from Akela Cooper, one of the hottest writers in the horror genre. She infused the franchise with substantial Catholic lore that focused on the interplay between the sacred and the profane, where the audience learns more about Valak without needless expositions. Cooper sensibly used the religious relic not merely as a simple plot device but to enhance the legend of Valak.
Director Michael Chaves (“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It”) and previous collaborator, cinematographer Tristan Nyby, further amplify the relationship between good and evil by delivering a visually striking feast that conjures religious imageries vis-à-vis demonic hauntings.
In one memorable shot, a halo-like light lights up the looming silhouette of Valak inside an abandoned chapel. Of course, the film has enough eerie set-pieces to scare the audience. In particular, the climactic sequence in the boarding school will delight horror thrill seekers.
The most successful horror franchise of all time rests on the capable shoulders of the Farmiga sisters: Taissa leads “The Nun,” and her elder sister Vera anchors “The Conjuring” series. The sisters, both brilliant actors, also share the same confident and determined bearing that makes them credible counterpoints to the monsters that populate their cinematic universe.
“The Nun II” raises the diabolical stature of Valak as an overarching antagonist—as it should. After all, she is up against the Farmigas.
/ra
