The Nun II

“The ways of the lord are inscrutable” and it is not Sister Irene (played by Taissa Farmiga) who will tell you the opposite in Nun 2. One of the most anticipated sequels of the year, shot partly in the south of France. The demon Valak makes a chilling and merciless return in this film, hidden in the body and mind of Maurice (Jonas Bloquet), known as ‘Frenchie’, Sister Irene’s ally in the first part. A journey ahead for the two “friends” which will not be easy. So before telling you more, please pray to them, and your sins will quickly be forgotten because your courage will have helped them to face absolute evil in person.

Even more powerful than in the first movie, Valak, still camouflaged in the form of a nun to try to bombard the entire planet with its endless future disasters, infiltrates France to recover what he was owed (according to him, Of course) ! And yes, you will have understood, Satan's right arm is everywhere! On blackboards, in every black corner, in magazines, even sucking holy water from churches…. And he won't have said his last word until he gets what he needs to spread complete evil everywhere. The scenario, without any real surprise, takes up the bases of “Nun 1” but this time, it is Sister Irene who opens the spiritual path to a rebellious Sister who has not yet made her vows and whose faith is shaken by the death of his mother.

The production is very careful with a special mention for the jumpscares which always fall at the right time and which are, above all, freakish as hell! Indeed, like a nest of cockroaches, the succubus nun spreads at great speed thanks to her dictatorial union with Maurice. It takes any form, as long as the fear gnaws deep within its victims: from the director of the boarding school to the mutation of a demonic goat chasing the little girls (boarders of this school), nothing can stop it. Each plane is dark, narrow, with no possibility of being able to escape. We will note a particularly successful high angle shot (that of Sophie (played by Katelyn Rose Downey), daughter of the mistress and affection for Maurice, who hangs on at arm's length to escape from him once he has possession of the latter well underway) and which makes us dizzy to take our breath away.
 
Like an apocalypse of evil gaining ground and eating away at you little by little, The Nun 2 succeeds in giving us chills. We find with pleasure the two heroes of the first movie of the saga, more mature in the face of the diabolical events that await them. An honorable sequel, which takes us back to the future investigation of the Warren couple in the next “Conjuring”, scheduled for 2024. The border between good and evil continues to clash, although we already know in advance who will win the battle. Yes, God is inscrutable but his aura is very present, more powerful than his fallen angel who thinks he can destroy everything around him. If you want to indulge in some good horror, pray that you come out unscathed... And check that your seatmate doesn't turn a blind eye, you risk getting caught in your turn too... It's up to you... What so be it. Amen.
 
The Nun II
Directed by Michael Chaves
Screenplay by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, Akela Cooper
Story by Akela Cooper
Based on Characters by James Wan, Gary Dauberman
Produced by Peter Safran, James Wan
Starring Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Storm Reid, Anna Popplewell, Bonnie Aarons
Cinematography : Tristan Nyby
Edited by Gregory Plotkin
Music by Marco Beltrami
Production companies: New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster, The Safran Company
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date : September 8, 2023 (United States), September 13, 2023 (France)
Running time : 110 minutes

Seen September 11 at Warner Bros.

Sarah-The-Witch's Mark:

In the world of horror cinema, atmospheric dread and breathtaking suspense are the lifeblood that runs through the veins of every successful film. However, when it comes to The Nun II, the 2018 sequel to the ever-expanding Conjuring universe, the eerie atmosphere promised by its gothic setting and iconic demonic nun Valak doesn't quite deliver the thrills one might expect.

Set four years after the events of its predecessor, The Nun II brings Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) back to face the infamous Valak (Bonnie Aarons) once again. This time, the battle takes place in a French boarding school, where Valak's malevolence has resurfaced, wreaking havoc among the establishment's inhabitants.

Directed by Michael Chaves, known for his work in the Conjuring universe with The Curse of La Llorona and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, La Nonne II attempts to adhere to the tried-and-tested formula of its predecessors. It relies heavily on jump-scares, nightmare sequences and disturbing visions to jolt the audience's senses. While these elements have worked well in other installments of the franchise, this film fails to achieve the same level of dread and terror.

One of the film's highlights is Taissa Farmiga's performance as Sister Irene. She imbues her character with nuance and depth, highlighting her evolution from a timid novice to a more powerful and fearless character. Farmiga's commitment to her role elevates the film, even when the narrative falters.

However, the other characters struggle to leave a lasting impression. Storm Reid's performance as Debra, a young nun who joins Irene on her mission, is somewhat underdeveloped, relegating her to the role of a plucky but underused sidekick. Jonas Bloquet returns as Maurice, who now works as a handyman at the boarding school. While his character attempts to inject emotional stakes into the story through a budding romance, his arc falls flat and fails to effectively engage the audience.

Despite its narrative shortcomings, The Nun II offers a few genuinely creative scares. Some sequences manage to evoke a genuine fright, breaking with the formulaic scares that populate the majority of the film. Cinematography and lighting contribute significantly to creating a chilling atmosphere, with ominous shadows and backdrops enhancing the overall mood.

Bonnie Aarons shines once again in the role of Valak, the demonic nun. Her unsettling looks and presence as a character continue to be a highlight of the film, despite the character's limited screen time.

The Nun II struggles to break free from the conventions of the horror genre and the established formula of the Conjuring universe. It relies too heavily on familiar scare tactics, leaving the audience with a sense of predictability. While there are moments of terror, they are overshadowed by a lackluster script that fails to develop compelling characters and deliver a truly captivating narrative.In a cinematic landscape where horror films are constantly pushing boundaries and reinventing the genre, The Nun II appears to be a missed opportunity to revitalize the Conjuring universe. It fails to capture the same level of terror and intrigue as its predecessors, leaving viewers with a tepid horror experience that doesn't live up to its potential.

The Nun II
Directed by Michael Chaves
Screenplay by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, Akela Cooper
Story by Akela Cooper
Based on Characters by James Wan, Gary Dauberman
Produced by Peter Safran, James Wan
Starring Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Storm Reid, Anna Popplewell, Bonnie Aarons
Cinematography : Tristan Nyby
Edited by Gregory Plotkin
Music by Marco Beltrami
Production companies: New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster, The Safran Company
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date : September 8, 2023 (United States), September 13, 2023 (France)
Running time : 110 minutes

Seen on September 13 2023 at Gaumont Disney Village, room 2 seat A19

Mulder's Mark: