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A little bit of The Nun goes a long way.

With her cheekbones jutting like daggers from her chalky-white skin, her eyes a piercing yellow beneath her habit and her ravenous, bloody fangs, The Nun served as a deeply unsettling image in brief but potent glimpses throughout various films in “ The Conjuring ” universe. Now, we get an entire film devoted to her: the appropriately titled “The Nun,” which simultaneously serves as an origin story for the entire franchise. And a presence that initially was disturbing grows repetitive and almost predictable over the course of an entire film.

It’s sort of like the Minions. (Hear me out on this.) The Minions were the best part of the “ Despicable Me ” movies. They provided quick blasts of adorable insanity with their denim overalls and dazed expressions, their gibberish and their general incompetence. But a whole movie about them—again, the appropriately titled “ Minions ”—grew tedious pretty quickly when it came out on 2015.

I’m not saying that The Nun is literally like an evil version of a Minion, although she does run around in a uniform, wreaking havoc and doing her master’s bidding. But there is a similarity to the shallow nature of these crucial supporting characters that reveals itself when a feature film focuses on them.

But director Corin Hardy ’s movie, based on a screenplay by “ It ” and “ Annabelle ” writer Gary Dauberman , has no shortage of mood. Set at a remote abbey in 1952 Romania, “The Nun” grabs you with Gothic dread from the get-go with its candlelit stone passageways, creaky sound design and the mesmerizing tones of deep, droning chants. Fog shrouds the overgrown grounds, which are dotted with makeshift wooden crosses. The feeling of foreboding is inescapable throughout. This place is cursed, and no amount of prayer from well-intentioned, young nuns can redeem it.

But after one of these devout, promising ladies hangs herself from her bedroom window at the film’s dramatic start, the Vatican sends demon hunter Father Burke ( Demian Bichir ) and Sister Irene ( Taissa Farmiga ), a novitiate on the verge of taking her final vows, to determine what forces are plaguing this holy site. Young Irene has been plucked for this dangerous assignment because she has a history of experiencing visions; in a clever touch that unifies the series, she’s played by Farmiga, younger sister of Vera Farmiga , who starred as supernatural seer Lorraine Warren in the original “Conjuring” movies. The younger Farmiga has a similar steely presence and a quietly authoritative way about her.

Burke and Irene are joined by local farmhand Maurice ( Jonas Bloquet ), a flirty French-Canadian who goes by the nickname Frenchie. He serves as their guide, provides necessary comic relief and warns them that they’re about to enter the Dark Ages. But he has no idea just how dark the situation will get.

The Vatican’s emissaries have the Sisyphean task of trying to interview the remaining nuns to determine how such a sad and sinful fate could have befallen one of their own. But they get stuck in one section of the abbey when giant, metal gates shut for the night, or they find that the sisters are in the midst of mandatory silence until sunrise. They’re spinning their wheels, and we feel like we are, too. Through it all, The Nun ( Bonnie Aarons ) wanders the dark hallways, an elusive yet menacing force. Seeing a glimpse of her habit is good for a jolt here and there, at first. But Hardy goes to that tactic repeatedly, showing us The Nun—or maybe just A Nun—kneeling in prayer from behind or from the side, or sneaking up on someone, hidden by reams of black material. This cheap thrill happens over and over, like clockwork.

Hardy employs some visual acrobatics to liven things up in this cramped and clammy place; a couple of overhead shots are inspired, especially one in which Irene, in her white habit, is surrounded by her fellow nuns dressed in black and kneeling in desperate prayer. But by the end, “The Nun” has become an almost entirely different kind of movie, a puzzly “Da Vinci Code”-light, which sounds redundant, I realize. We eventually get full-frontal Nun—more Nun than you can shake a cross at—but even while she’s all up in our faces, it’s unclear what exactly she wants beyond run-of-the-mill possession.

The “Conjuring” movies—especially James Wan ’s original two, and not so much the “Annabelle” prequels—stood apart from so much demon-themed horror with their well-drawn characters, strong performances and powerful emotional underpinning. “The Nun” feels like an empty thrill ride by comparison. Once it stops and you step off, you may still feel a little dizzy, but you’ll have forgotten exactly why.

Christy Lemire

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who has written for RogerEbert.com since 2013. Before that, she was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series "Ebert Presents At the Movies" opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

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The Nun (2018)

Rated R for terror, violence, and disturbing/bloody images.

Bonnie Aarons as The Nun / Valak

Demián Bichir as Father Burke

Taissa Farmiga as Sister Irene

Charlotte Hope as Sister Victoria

Ingrid Bisu as Sister Oana

Manuela Ciucur as Sister Christian

Jonas Bloquet as Frenchie

Jonny Coyne as Gregoro

Jared Morgan as Marquis

Sandra Teles as Sister Ruth

Boiangiu Alma as Demon Nun

Corin Hardy

Writer (story by)

Gary Dauberman

Cinematographer

Maxime Alexandre
Michel Aller
Ken Blackwell
Abel Korzeniowski

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The Nun Reviews

But then you get to the storytelling which slowly sucks out the film’s potential.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 24, 2022

Hardy orchestrates horror with elegance and taste, reaching in some scenes an unexpected sophistication in the design, the choreography, and the editing... [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 21, 2022

Despite its talented cast and the chilling location, neither director Corin Hardy nor the screenplay engages the viewer in any memorable or substantive way.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4 | Mar 11, 2022

Here's the thing. If there's a door in your abbey that reads 'God Ends Here' it's best to leave it closed. Burke and Co. could have done everyone, especially the audience, a favour by leaving well enough alone.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Mar 1, 2021

The backstory to the creepy demon who bothered Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring 2, etc: in 1952, a priest and a novice nun are sent to Romania to investigate the apparent suicide of a young nun and the abbey in general. Disappointing.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 2, 2021

At its best, horror marks you. At its worst, it wastes your time and $12. The Nun, sure as all that is holy, does not leave a mark.

Full Review | Jan 29, 2021

While The Nun isn't good, it isn't quite as bad as its reputation.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Oct 19, 2020

Don't look for salvation from The Nun...

Full Review | Oct 15, 2020

This prequel's casting of Farmiga's sister is the only striking resemblance, as "The Nun" converts a once stellar franchise into a bad habit.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Aug 29, 2020

For all its disappointment, it's unlikely The Nun will be the last we see of this bad habit as long as those staggering numbers remain undead.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Aug 19, 2020

The Nun positions itself as slow-burning, self-aggrandizing horror, but it's too lifeless to engage. In fact, it's like looking through the windows of a pop-up Halloween store.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Jul 25, 2020

The Nun runs into a lot of the same problems that 2014's Annabelle did. The build up to these characters seemed more terrifying than what they were given in their actual movies.

Full Review | Jul 20, 2020

The Nun wastes the efforts put into the set design and art direction with a lackluster story and substandard scare scenes.

Full Review | Original Score: C- | Jul 9, 2020

The Nun feels more like a missed opportunity than a complete disaster, but in the end, it's tough to tell the difference.

Full Review | Jun 23, 2020

The Nun nonetheless proves to be the weakest entry in the series so far, and next to Annabelle, that's saying something.

Full Review | Mar 19, 2020

If you're ready to kick off horror season a few weeks early, there are lots of opportunities to do better than this tedious nun-sense.

Full Review | Jan 21, 2020

The pleasant surprise about this very silly movie: how old-school hokey those chills are. The scare scenes and even the style of the acting wouldn't seem at all out of place in a Mario Bava Italian horror picture of the '60s.

Full Review | Jan 7, 2020

If you simply enjoy being scared for the sake of it and not worrying about much else, The Nun can still be a lot of fun.

Full Review | Oct 29, 2019

[T]his sequel/prequel doesn't have the seriousness of the previous four films. It also has issues with logic, consistency of tone, and character development.

Full Review | Oct 18, 2019

The Nun isn't exactly a missed opportunity, then, so much as it's a waste of an interesting filmmaker's talents.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Sep 27, 2019

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Review: In ‘The Nun,’ a Franchise Resumes Its Scary Habits

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‘The Nun’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Corin hardy narrates a sequence from his horror film..

“My name’s Corin Hardy. I’m the director of “The Nun.” So I’m going to tell you a little bit about this scene, which takes place about a third of the way into the movie. Father Burke, played by Demián Bichir, has just been woken up in the dead of night while staying in a convent. And he’s woken by the sound of a child’s footsteps, which he follows into the cemetery outside to discover something which has haunted his past in the form of a boy called Daniel. Now the evil forces are messing with the minds of our characters, playing tricks. So they want to dispatch Burke. And he ends up in this coffin. This was a single shot on a crane, which we performed the first half of of the fall up to the gravestone, and then with a vision effects join, performed the second part of it. So it appears that he’s buried alive. Now he’s able to ring a bell to alert Sister Irene, played by Taissa Farmiga. This concept’s based on a real concept. During the plague, if someone was buried alive, they would be able to have a bell to ring to alert people that they were still alive underground. Pretty creepy. So she’s come out to try and find where he is. And now the second part of the supernatural forces messing with our characters comes when she hears a number of bells and can’t determine which grave he’s in. But she has holy super power, and is able to use her visions and tune into the bells to find which coffin Burke is buried in. I wanted to use this scene to maximize and amplify the tension around the concept of being buried alive in a coffin. So first of all, this idea of claustrophobia, and not being able to be found. But I thought it could be even more terrifying if there was something in the coffin with you. So Burke is trying to find out what is down there whilst Irene is trying to get to him in time. I wanted to time this scare to find out what’s in the coffin with him just right.” [sighing] [grunting] ”(SCREAMING) Irene!” [bell ringing] [grunting] [screaming]

By Ben Kenigsberg

Sept. 5, 2018

The protagonist searches for something in a dark, dank corridor. The camera pans to the right. The camera pans to the left — and oh, my God, now there’s something behind her!

If you enjoy shots like the one described above, “The Nun,” the latest spinoff of “The Conjuring,” has that and other timeworn, reflex-testing jolts in store. The franchise has proved to be a reliable if variably elegant “boo” machine; the same applies here. Specters and hallucinations appear without consistent narrative logic. Characters veer off separately when teamwork might reduce brushes with demons or death.

The story’s full connection to the rest of the “Conjuring”-verse is only partly revealed. Is Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga), a nun who has not yet taken her vows, related to — or a younger version of — Lorraine Warren, played by Vera Farmiga, Ms. Farmiga’s sister, in “The Conjuring” and “The Conjuring 2”? Also mysterious, at least initially, is why someone so inexperienced would be assigned by the Vatican to undertake a mission alongside Father Burke (Demián Bichir), who describes his work as “miracle hunting,” which means he investigates strange occurrences.

The neighborhood of this particular strangeness is a remote abbey in 1952 Romania, where a nun hangs herself in a prologue. Upon arrival, Sister Irene and Father Burke don’t seem duly alarmed about the prospect of spending the night there, or at the fact that the nun’s corpse is sitting upright when they inspect it. (It was left lying down.)

While not as urbane or colorful, the production has the occasional feel of a middle-range, semi-forgotten Hammer Films outing , filled with lore sure to please viewers eager to find out how World War II reopened a gateway sealed since the Dark Ages. There is at least one great set piece: The graves outside the abbey have bells on them — a tradition, we’re told, dating from a time when people feared being buried alive. Sure enough, before the film is over, someone will be ringing a bell.

And the director, Corin Hardy, supplies at least two amusing sight gags, only one of which definitely seems like a joke: Frenchie (Jonas Bloquet), the farm boy who guides Sister Irene and Father Burke, sits at a bar for a much-needed drink, still in possession of the cross-shaped gravestone he uprooted after an encounter with the dead nun’s ghost.

Elsewhere, there is a door inscribed with the Latin words for “God ends here” — perhaps the Romanian abbey’s equivalent of an “emergency exit” sign. As for “The Nun,” open only if you must.

Rated R. Boo. Running time: 1 hour 36 minutes.

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DVD & Streaming
Drama , Horror , Mystery/Suspense

Content Caution

In Theaters

September 7, 2018
Demián Bichir as Father Burke; Taissa Farmiga as Sister Irene; Jonas Bloquet as Frenchie; Bonnie Aarons as The Nun; Ingrid Bisu as Sister Oana; Charlotte Hope as Sister Victoria; Sandra Teles as Sister Ruth; August Maturo as Daniel

Home Release Date

December 4, 2018
Corin Hardy

Distributor

Warner Bros.

Movie Review

Let’s face it: Unfinished basements are always a little creepy. But the one in Romania’s Cârța Abbey, circa 1952, goes well beyond the occasional damp corner or cobweb.

Take, for instance, the ill-lit hallway full of dangling crosses—not the sort of decorative touch you’d see on your typical HGTV show. Or the fact that the hallway leads to a door stamped in three Latin words: Finit hic Deo .

God ends here .

Maybe it’s best to keep that sucker locked. Just sayin’.

Clearly, the basement could use a little remodeling, and perhaps the nuns who live in the abbey would like to do exactly that. But they’re a reclusive bunch, not inclined to welcome just any ol’ contractor into their sacred (?) confines. They’ve been shuttered away from the outside world for generations now. And they’re rarely, if ever, seen.

Why, the nuns’ own delivery man has been carting up the abbey’s goods for several years now, and he’s only seen a nun once in all that time. That was quite recently, though: a dead one, dangling from a rope. Even weeks later, the blood found below her hanging corpse is still fresh. Sticky.

Word of the suicide reaches the Vatican, and soon the Holy See contacts Father Anthony Burke, once one of the Catholic Church’s most esteemed investigators, and asks him to check out the abbey. They send along Sister Irene, too—a young novitiate who, as a child, experienced a series of mysterious, perhaps divine visions.

Why send an investigator like Burke? Or a supernaturally attuned nun? Surely the Vatican suspects (as I’m sure you do, too), that the suicide is more than just a tragic happening. There’s something extra-dark at work in the abbey—an evil that just might be leeching out.

Whatever’s scurrying around in that basement will need more than just your run-of-the-mill exterminator. It’ll need an exorcist.

Maybe several.

Positive Elements

Clearly, the abbey is dealing with a pretty awful, very evil supernatural infestation. And almost every living person we see or hear about will risk his or her life to fight that presence.

Sister Irene is the movie’s pure-of-heart protagonist for most of the movie—a paladin fighting the evil with both faith and courage. She rescues Father Burke from certain death and risks not just her own life, but her very soul, to do so.

Father Burke is a more morally compromised figure in some ways. But he, too, puts his life on the line to chase away both the abbey’s demons. (And perhaps his own, too.)

Oh, and that delivery guy we mentioned in the introduction? He comes back for more, saving lives for the greater good.

As for the nuns … well, their presence here is a bit more complex. But we learn that for centuries, they’ve made some incredible sacrifices themselves—doing everything in their power to keep the evil locked in the abbey. They were successful for a good long while, too.

[ Note: Spoilers are contained in the following sections. ]

Spiritual Elements

The Nun is the most spiritually soused movie I’ve seen this year, and that’s by design. “Thematically, when I think about these movies, it really comes down to belief,” says screenwriter Gary Dauberman in a faith-centric featurette released in conjunction with The Nun . But to get into the movie’s spiritual underpinnings, we will have to spoil a bit of the movie itself.

The titular centerpiece of The Nun is actually a demon named Valak, identified in the movie as “The Defiler.” It was called forth by the abbey’s previous owner, a devil worshipper of some renown who essentially tried to open a gate between our world and hell. (We see some infernal, illustrated spellbooks he apparently wrote.)

The Catholic Church caught wind of that scheme and put the kibosh on it before it could be fully realized. The Church then took over the castle, turned it into an abbey and sealed the doorway shut with the help of a super-holy relic. The nuns were tasked with praying in the complex night and day to keep that diabolical portal sealed.

Those constant prayers illustrate the power of prayer, though most appear to be centered on Mary. We see several statues of the Virgin holding the baby Jesus, and Sister Irene’s childhood visions always ended with a reference to her: “Mary points the way.”

Physical constructs of the faith—crosses, holy water and especially a super-holy relic—are shown as having literal, supernatural power to ward off or destroy evil.

We see statues of Christ on the cross, some of which have been defiled. (Jesus’ head has been removed from one of them.) Crosses are everywhere —hanging in hallways and on walls and filling fields. At least some of those outside crosses are gravestones, of course, but others are perhaps wards: We’re told that they may have been placed to keep some sort of evil in the abbey, not keep evil out.

At least one cross turns upside down of its own volition. Lots of beings walk around in nun habits, of course—though many corrupt the holy garment with unholy purpose. Indeed, the demon’s role of “defiler” is critical to the film’s spiritual tension, given that it has definitely defiled the holy abbey and perhaps corrupted at least some of the nuns inside. In one scene, the evil entity carves an upside-down pentagram on someone’s back. (Another pentagram, created to serve a role in obviously unholy rites, is also seen.)

We see an exorcism. Other people are possessed by unholy beings: Sometimes crosses appear beneath the skin of these folks. Corpses get reanimated. Old books contain pictures of demons and arcane symbols. The corpse of a nun, clutching a cross, sports what appear to be nail holes in her hands, marks suggesting stigmata. Burke suggests that the Holy See keeps and holds a great many secrets. People spit to ward off evil. We see a novitiate undergo rites to become a full-fledged nun.

Before she heads to the abbey, Irene (who’s apparently a teacher at a Catholic school) tells a story about dinosaurs with the aid of some plastic toys. One of the girls tells Irene that the school’s Mother Superior doesn’t believe in dinosaurs because they’re not mentioned in the Bible. Irene suggests that it’d be a mean trick for God to stick all those dinosaur bones in the ground if they didn’t exist and points to penguins as proof that not every animal needs to be mentioned in the Good Book: “The Bible is God’s love letter to us,” she tells them, “but that doesn’t mean He doesn’t want us to ask questions.”

Sexual Content

When Father Burke first knocks on the delivery man’s door, “Frenchie” (the delivery man) asks Burke if he’s an “angry father or jealous husband,” because that’s usually who comes to visit him. Frenchie flirts with Irene before he’s told she’s a novitiate. Later, he performs CPR on her, apologizing for giving her the “kiss of life.”

A demonic entity rips part of Irene’s habit, revealing some of the woman’s bare back.

Violent Content

As mentioned, a nun hangs herself. We see her throw herself from the window; we later get an extended view of her corpse—hanging from the rope as crows gorily eat away her face. Blood drips below her, and we see that same pool of blood frequently. (Blood that sometimes pours, sometimes floods down the abbey steps becomes a frequent visual motif in dreams and visions, too.)

The corpse of that disfigured nun returns to life at several junctures, sporting her gruesome face in all its ravenous horror. Another dead body springs to “life” again as well, stabbing someone in the leg with the end of a pointy cross. That living corpse is later set on fire by a priest’s prayer and cross (placed on its forehead), and its head gets blown off by a shotgun blast.

Heads roll elsewhere, too. Someone is buried alive. Hands burst through wood and stone, grabbing and clawing at intended victims. Mysterious figures stand, their heads covered with bloody bags. Apparitions and/or corpses crack, as if made completely of dried, desiccated bones. (Sometimes body parts fall and roll dustily on the floor.) Snakes slither out of the mouths of ghouls, and one bites into someone’s eye. A bloodied, obviously doomed nun is yanked into the dark by an unseen entity. We hear about the suicide of a young village girl. People get thrown into walls and bits of furniture—sometimes accompanied by sickening cracks and apparent death. Someone nearly drowns.

We learn that Father Burke performed an exorcism on a 10-year-old boy sometime before he visited the abbey. In flashback, we see the boy strung up in a barn, with Burke beginning the exorcism rites. He admits to Irene that he may have been too “overzealous” in that particular rite, though: Again in flashback, see him cradling bloodied, near-lifeless boy in his arms, and we learn that the child died a few days later.

Crude or Profane Language

When Father Burke plucks an extraordinarily sacred relic—a container filled with Jesus’ blood—from its hiding place, Frenchie blurts out, “Holy s—,” “The holiest,” Burke tells him. We also hear three possible misuses of God’s name, though given that they’re often uttered when faithful characters face supernatural danger, they could be heard as sincere petitions to the Almighty.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Someone drinks wine.

Other Negative Elements

Back in 2013, Warner Bros. released The Conjuring —a wildly successful horror flick that, for all its scares, treated matters of faith with respect and even a kind of reverence. It was rated R, but that rating was solely based on how flat-out scary it was: no sex. Not much language. Surprisingly little blood, given the rating and subject. Oh, and supposedly it was based on a true story.

My, how things have changed.

That movie spawned the Conjuring universe, a franchise full of gothic horror yarns long on atmosphere if a bit short on logic. Any “true story” thread buried in there was lost long, long ago.

But the spirituality is still here, and the franchise’s fifth installment is perhaps the most explicitly spiritual yet. Evil is real, the movie tells us, but so is God. Spiritual trappings are everywhere. And when in doubt or danger, you can’t go wrong with a little prayer.

But along with its spirituality, The Nun invites a whole host of supernatural grotesquerie to the party. While the original Conjuring relied almost solely on its incredibly dark, foreboding atmosphere to scare up its scares, this chapter slathers the screen in blood, earning its R rating and then some. And while this film’s inherent spirituality is ultimately redemptive, it’s also extraordinarily twisted at times. The demon here is indeed a defiler—one who glories in twisting all that is holy into something horrifically profane—and that’s not easy, or advisable, to watch.

The Nun’ s still plenty atmospheric, sure. But for those who like a little terror without the visual trauma, this movie is not for you.

Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.

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The Nun Review: Don't Stop Saying Your Prayers

Director Corin Hardy helps bring The Nun to life, but will it be able to survive on its own away from The Conjuring universe?

Much like the way the youngest of five children must feel growing up in the shadow of their older sibling's accomplishments, The Nun , by all accounts, has a lot to live up to. The fifth installment in The Conjuring universe, it's a member of a family of films that has commanded over a billion dollars at the box office , making it a part of one of the most profitable horror franchises in history. The latest on a growing list of Conjuring spin-offs, The Nun may eventually fill those shoes, but like it's predecessor Annabelle, not without a few growing pains first.

Directed by Corin Hardy (The Hallow), The Nun is a true family affair. Taissa Farmiga, the real-life younger sister of The Conjuring's Vera Farmiga, stars as Sister Irene, a novitiate who has yet to make her commitment to the church final by taking her vows. Damian Bichir co-stars as Father Burke , a Catholic priest who the church calls on in, let's say, delicate situations. The duo is sent by the Vatican to the Romanian countryside to look into the apparent suicide of a nun at the Carta Monastery.

Written by James Wan and Gary Dauberman, The Nun takes place in 1952, placing it at the beginning of The Conjuring universe's timeline . The film, billed as the "darkest chapter in The Conjuring universe", successfully creates a dark, gothic setting for the characters to immerse themselves in. Bonnie Aarons reprises her role as the Nun, whose scene-stealing performance in the franchise's previous outing was undoubtedly the reason the character has been afforded its own film. Taissa Farmiga's engaging screen presence helps draw the viewer into the cold and gloomy world that unfolds in front of us. Unfortunately, I don't feel like I got pulled into that cold and gloomy world enough.

The Nun was a formidable foe to Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring 2, and left you with an insatiable thirst to know more about the Nun and her true identity, the demon Valak . This outing may manage to answer some of your questions, but for each one answered, two more sprout up in its place. The casual moviegoer will be satisfied as the movie is peppered with just enough intrigue and tension to keep you on the edge of your seat. But, save for the all-too-expected jump scares, The Nun only hints at the possible terror that lies beneath its surface. And for those of you who have been waiting to go deeper into the mythology behind this character, you may leave the theatre feeling that you don't know much more than you already did after the events of The Conjuring 2.

Even though it is a worthy entry in the series, The Nun makes me wonder how it would fare if it was an only child and not part of the larger family of Conjuring films from Warner Bros . It's unfair, but sometimes you have to do better than your brothers or sisters while jockeying for position in the family hierarchy. Let's just pray that if there is a sequel, it will give us more of what we want, and most importantly, be able to stand on it's own two feet.

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‘The Nun’ Movie Review

“We’re here to investigate the death of a nun,” says Sister Irene ( Taissa Farmiga ) to Frenchie (Jonas Bloquet), the man who found the nun’s dead body in the 2018 horror film, The Nun .

The film takes place in 1952 when a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania is found hanging. She’s believed to have taken her own life, and The Vatican sends a priest, Father Burke ( Demián Bichir ), to investigate the incident. Father Burke is the church’s unofficial miracle searcher, and it’s clear The Vatican wants to know if the abbey is still holy ground or if something evil is occurring. Father Burke is also instructed to take a young novitiate who has not yet taken her vows with him, believing she may be able to help him in his investigation.

Once in Romania, Father Burke and Sister Irene seek out Frenchie, the individual who found the nun’s body. Needing to examine the area she was found, as well as the remainder of the abbey, Father Burke and Sister Irene ask Frenchie to be their guide and help them determine what’s going on. Frenchie is initially reluctant but eventually agrees because he doesn’t want anything bad to happen to them. Plus, he’s attracted to Irene.

The three unlikely travel companions reach the abbey and Father Burke and Irene aren’t there very long before strange, eerie, and odd things begin happening. As they continue to investigate, the trio discovers a malevolent force that takes the form of a demonic nun. They’re forced to confront, battle, and defeat the demon in order to stop the evil from spreading beyond the confines of the abbey.

The film effectively sets the mood with the use of dark forests, dimly lit hallways, haunted graveyards, and the appearance of the same demonic nun from the film, The Conjuring 2 . Unfortunately, The Nun is a barely effective gothic horror prequel to The Conjuring films that settles for the quick jump scares while sacrificing character depth and substance.

Taissa Farmiga does a solid job of portraying young Sister Irene who reveals her visions to Father Burke and becomes both the target of the demon’s evil plans and its greatest threat. She conveys both the innocence and inner strength Irene has at this stage of her life.

Demian Bichir is a bit overdramatic in his performance as Father Burke, a holy man who’s still haunted by an exorcism he performed that went horribly wrong. His performance, at times, pushes the film from being a gothic horror movie to being a melodrama/horror film.

Jonas Bloquet delivers the best performance and adds some much-needed humor as Frenchie, the simple farmhand who gets caught up in the demon-fighting at the abbey because of his fondness for Sister Irene and his desire to help her and Father Burke stop the demon from escaping the abbey. There’s a scene in the graveyard when the demon goes after Frenchie, and it plays out as both scary and very funny. Frenchie is basically the equivalent of a live-action “Shaggy” from Scooby-Doo .

The look and feel of the film are reminiscent of the old 1950s and ’60s British Hammer horror films more than The Conjuring movies. Where the film is weakest is in getting the audience to really engage with the characters.

The Nun is nothing more than a dark, demon-hunting quest with creaking doors, shadows slithering across walls, and the ever-obvious jump scare around the corner.

Directed By: Corin Hardy

MPAA Rating: R for terror, violence, and disturbing/bloody images

Running Time: 1 hour 36 minutes

Release Date: September 7, 2018

The Nun review – a clueless Conjuring cash-in that summons zero scares

This tedious prequel follows a team of clerics to Romania, where they unexpectedly encounter every cliche in the book

T he Nun is the latest in the fantastically tiresome and unscary Conjuring franchise – a prequel to The Conjuring 2 , creating a backstory for the creepy sub-Marilyn Manson nun that we saw in that film. (Did Manson forget to trademark his image? Or is he getting royalties?) It also overlaps with the Annabelle movies – perhaps attempting to create something like the Marvel Cinematic Universe cash-cow.

Anyway, The Nun brings back in brief cameo the characters Ed and Lorraine Warren, the real-life paranormal investigators associated with the Amityville case, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. It is set just after the second world war; the heroine is a trainee nun, played by Vera Farmiga’s younger sister Taissa. The resemblance is striking, and maybe we are supposed to believe that this is Lorraine’s younger self, before a name and career change.

However egregiously silly it all gets, The Nun will insist on repeating the franchise’s deadpan mannerism of claiming to be based on documentary truth. An initial announcement flashes up on screen: “The following occurred in 1952.” (We need Ron Howard’s voiceover from Arrested Development to add: “It didn’t.”)

The horrendous suicide of a nun in Romania, deep in Dracula country, causes the Vatican grave concern. They send Father Burke (Demián Bichir) to investigate this nunnery of evil, and he takes doe-eyed novitiate Irene (Taissa Farmiga) with him for assistance. A tousled young local sinner called Frenchie (Jonas Bloquet) goes along, too, fancying the wimple off Irene. There isn’t a genuinely frightening or interesting moment here. This is a film abjectly reliant on cliched soundtrack stabs and earthbound jump-scares.

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The Nun review – a horror full of bad habits

The latest instalment in the Conjuring Universe is nun more ridiculous.

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The Conjuring Universe gets wider (and weirder) with this latest instalment from The Hallow director Corin Hardy. While Hardy has proven himself adept at creeping chills and visual flair with his debut feature, something seems to have gone seriously wrong here. Eschewing the sophisticated (if a little bit hackneyed) jump scares of the first two Conjuring films, and the better-than-expected Annabelle: Creation , The Nun has opted to throw out any sense of rationale and gone for full on bonkers gothic schlock – while Hardy seems to have had a good time with the movie, it’s nowhere near as much fun for the audience.

Thankfully not as cynically terrible as bottom-of-the-barrel doll dross Annabelle , The Nun feels like an odd misstep in a horror franchise that’s otherwise felt very carefully controlled. If this wasn’t a Conjuring Universe movie, we’re not sure it would even get a wide theatrical release at all, and we’re frankly surprised that series creator James Wan gave it the sign off.

A prequel to the previous prequels, set before the Annabelle and Conjuring movies began, The Nun is the origin story (sort of) of demon Valak who came out of a painting and bothered Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring 2 . Set in Romania in 1952, it follows Father Burke (Demián Bichir), a priest with a dark past who is sent with young Novice Irene (Taissa Farmiga) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the apparent suicide of a Nun. The Vatican is worried something’s up in this particular ridiculously remote gothic abbey which the locals are all terrified of where no one ever goes. Spoiler alert: turns out there is.

On the way to the Abbey, which looks like a horror movie Hogwarts, they meet lusty local ‘Frenchie’ (Jonas Bloquet), a French Canadian farmer who delivers supplies to the cloistered sisters and discovered the body, who agrees to act as a guide for the two. But when they arrive, the creepy black-shrouded Abbess tells them they must wait until the morning, forcing the two visiting clergy to spend the night…

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And that’s pretty much it when it comes to plot. From here on out The Nun becomes a barrage of set pieces stacking up monsters, demons and apparitions which would be at home in an episode from Tales From The Crypt . Hardy mixes his gothic backdrop with lashings of folk horror and an almost early Sam Raimi-esque genre exuberance – which would be a lot of fun were the dialogue not so leaden and the plot so thin.

More a Conjuring-themed haunted house experience than an actual credible horror movie, scary images come at you thick and fast, somehow without managing to be actually scary. Meanwhile Conjuring Universe easter eggs are dotted about the place, from mildly interesting tie-ins that enhance the mythos to mildly ridiculous sight gags which don’t (look out for a number plate which is only a small step away from actually reading ‘Valak 1’).

To Hardy’s credit, The Nun doesn’t take itself very seriously. Unlike the other movies in the franchise, it’s not portentous and obsessed with convincing the audience that the events we’re watching actually happened – The Nun is camply funny and it’s clearly meant to be. Fun one-liners and the frequent appearances of Valak at the end of various long corridors (definitely this demon’s MO) feel like cheeky winks and stop The Nun from feeling purely like a crass cash in. That doesn’t make it in any way good movie though.

And as part of the Conjuring Universe it feels totally off. If the Conjuring movies are trying to convince us that some of this creepy crap happened, for example, where does that leave us with the subplot of Father Burke who has apparently in the past exorcised a child TO DEATH?

Hardy has a background in practical effects and has drawn influences from ‘70s and ‘80s horror, so it’s at least a visually interesting movie. But Gary Dauberman’s script does him absolutely no favours.

Dauberman wrote the screenplay for the terrible Annabelle , and the not terrible Annabelle: Creation , so if his work in the Conjuring Universe follows the ‘a good one, then a terrible one’ pattern then this might at least bode well for his work on the next currently untitled Annabelle instalment. But, until then, how many times should you go and see this movie? The clue’s in the title…

The Nun is out now.

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Rosie Fletcher

Rosie Fletcher is Co-Editor-in-Chief of Den Of Geek. She’s been an entertainment journalist for more than 15 years previously working at DVD & Blu-ray Review, Digital…

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Common sense media reviewers.

Violent entry in Conjuring series feels rushed, confused.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Supernatural forces are strong. Evil can often ove

A priest and a novitiate act bravely and risk thei

The cast is mostly White, though Mexican actor Dem

Jump scares, demonic attacks, death by suicide (a

Brief flirting.

One use of "s--t." Mentions of "God," "hell," and

A man drinks a glass of wine with dinner. Characte

Positive Messages

Supernatural forces are strong. Evil can often overcome good. It's important to discuss and question things, including religion.

Positive Role Models

A priest and a novitiate act bravely and risk their lives to save each other and, hopefully, the world. They show faith and dedication but don't always make wise choices. A kind-hearted local is a little leery at first but grows to show care and respect. He proves surprisingly resourceful and risks his reputation to help them.

Diverse Representations

The cast is mostly White, though Mexican actor Demian Bichir plays one of the main characters, Father Burke. The only non-White nun is played by Indian actress Sandra Teles in a supporting role. The other lead, Sister Irene, is portrayed as sweet and intelligent, with a strong faith. Though she's quiet, she's also brave, resourceful, and capable, as well as non-judgmental, which isn't always the case for characters of faith in horror films.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Jump scares, demonic attacks, death by suicide (a bloodied body briefly hangs, attacked by birds), and other deaths. Plenty of blood seen in the form of severed body parts, pools of blood, and a brief image of blood flowing down stairs. A character is buried alive but survives. Gun/shooting toward demonic characters. Whip marks/cuts appear on a character's back as the result of an unseen force. Scenes of possession. Person is stabbed by the pointed end of a crucifix. Characters on fire. A priest performs a scary/noisy exorcism on a young boy. Characters discuss a 12-year-old girl's death by suicide. Snakes attack. Strangling and attempted drowning. Sound of bones snapping. Swords are swung toward people with the sound of a beheading off-screen. Much of the violence is carried out on demonic spirits or in visions and flashbacks.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

One use of "s--t." Mentions of "God," "hell," and "Jesus Christ," mainly in a faith-based context.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

A man drinks a glass of wine with dinner. Characters drink beer in a pub.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Nun is the fifth movie in the Conjuring franchise (which also includes The Conjuring , The Conjuring 2 , Annabelle , and Annabelle: Creation ). Violence is quite graphic, but usually brief: Expect to see pools of blood, slashed skin, stabbing, dead bodies, bodies on fire, and blood-covered body parts. Characters die (both at others' hands and by suicide), and there's a scene with guns and shooting. The movie is also full of jump scares and ghostly images. Language is infrequent: There's a single use of "s--t," plus "God," "hell," and "Jesus Christ" in a faith-based context. There's also brief flirting and a little drinking (a glass of wine with dinner, beers in the local pub). The cast is mostly White, but a main character is played by Mexican actor Demian Bichir and there's a positive portrayal of a capable woman/non-judgmental nun. The film also highlights the importance of critical thinking, such as discussing and questioning religion. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Community Reviews

Parents say (38)
Kids say (60)

Based on 38 parent reviews

Boring and predictable

What's the story.

In THE NUN, which takes place before the events of the Annabelle and Conjuring movies, a young nun kills herself by jumping out the window of her Romanian abbey. It's 1952, and the Vatican calls upon Father Burke ( Demian Bichir ) -- who's experienced in exorcisms -- and young, idealistic novitiate Sister Irene ( Taissa Farmiga ), who has yet to take her vows, to investigate. They get help from a local called "Frenchie" (Jonas Bloquet), who delivers supplies to the abbey. Father Burke and Sister Irene are asked to spend the night at the abbey, but strange things start happening almost immediately. Soon it becomes apparent that an evil that has lived in the abbey has been released. The visitors must find the key to sealing it up again before it's too late.

Is It Any Good?

Sadly, this fifth chapter in the Conjuring franchise is, despite a temptingly promising locale/premise, nowhere near as scary, inspired, or coherent as its predecessors. The Nun boasts a strong cast -- led by Oscar nominee Bichir and Farmiga (the younger sister of Vera Farmiga , who played Lorraine Warren in the two Conjuring movies). Early images of dimly lit rooms in the Vatican and the first glimpses of the haunted abbey bring to mind atmospheric chillers like The Exorcist and The Orphanage . But viewers' hopes are quickly dashed by the quick onslaught of jump scares (punctuated by sudden loud noises on the soundtrack) and characters waking up from "surprise" nightmares.

Most of the action takes place at night, so the filmmakers cloud everything with a grayish dimness, which allows the hastily assembled (or perhaps recycled?) digital effects to blend in. Scenes that could have been moody or scary then play out like action scenes, with characters wrestling zombie nuns/nuns with shark teeth or chasing demon-possessed boys through the woods, etc. After all the noise and scuffling, it turns out there really isn't much of a story here, nor much of a point. Perhaps worse, The Nun veers further away from the intriguing "true story" that inspired the original. Overall, The Nun feels dashed off, like a placeholder until the next real movie comes along.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about The Nun 's use of violence . How much is suggested vs. shown directly? What do you think is the impact of showing something graphic on screen compared to leaving it to viewers' imagination?

What's the appeal of scary movies ? Why is it sometimes fun to be scared?

Do you agree with what Sister Irene says about the Bible being like "God's love letter to us" and that it's OK to ask questions and discuss different ideas? What do you think are the benefits of open discussion about religion? Can you think of any drawbacks?

How does this movie fit into the Conjuring cinematic "universe"? How do you feel about franchises that branch out and keep producing sequels? What are the pros and cons of long-running franchises?

Movie Details

In theaters : September 7, 2018
On DVD or streaming : December 4, 2018
Cast : Taissa Farmiga , Demian Bichir , Jonas Bloquet
Director : Corin Hardy
Inclusion Information : Female actors, Latino actors, Middle Eastern/North African actors, Asian writers
Studio : Warner Bros.
Genre : Horror
Topics : Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
Run time : 96 minutes
MPAA rating : R
MPAA explanation : terror, violence, and disturbing/bloody images
Last updated : November 22, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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The Nun (Movie Review)

Casey's rating: ★ ½ director: luis de la madrid | release date: 2005.

In what we must assume is the past, a group of girls at a catholic boarding school bond in friendship and orneriness. They're all free spirited 'bad girls' and grate against the sensibilities of the sisters that run the school. Sister Ursula is their nemesis; she's strict and holds to the old school rules of hard punishment which the girls see as cruel and unusual. Eventually they have all they can take and so they decide to take action; bad things happen, the sister dies and the girls hide her body.

Cut to the future:

The girls are all grown up, living their lives, trying their best to forget the events of boarding school. As Mary's daughter Eve goes to the school formal, Mary is visited by a wet and ghostly visage. She's also met with a grisly demise. The girls of boarding school's past are meeting a grisly end one by one. Led by not knowing about her mothers past and catching a fleeting glimpse of the ghost, Eve is now hell bent on tracking down her mother's old friends to puzzle it all out.

If you're reading the plot summary of 2005's "The Nun" and thinking that it sounds vague and rather slow, you are not far off the mark. A movie with grand ideas, but unfortunately the execution falls flat. Playing heavily on Japanese horror influences such as "The Ring", the movie tries to be slow and psychological. Due to various plot holes, annoying acting and a general lack of anything interesting, it only manages to play to the slow side of their dreams.

The largest problem that "The Nun" faces is the filmmakers' assumption that we the viewer are privy to the same script that they are. Early on we catch glimpses of the past and the so-called terror inflicted on these girls by an evil nun. The film then proceeded to jump back and forth between time periods, both past and present, to let the entire story unfold throughout. Instead of being setup with a conviction to hate Sister Ursula as much as the girls of the private school once did, we are left trying to puzzle out what exactly she did to them throughout the entire film. Where if we could identify her horrible side earlier on, it would be easier to accept the ghostly nun with shark teeth that torments the cast later in the film. Instead, we face confusion.

Another fault the film has is that the actual back story fails to live up to the plot summary that gives way to the girl's motives and the ghost that shows up in the present time period. As the ghostly nun appears throughout, she is present in monstrous looking gray skin with razor sharp teeth. A gruesome site indeed, she possesses a demonic visage that hints towards many great convention breakers for a nun. This builds us up for a reveal of a dark side of this wayside Catholic boarding school, perhaps a story of a holy person tempted to the dark side, something satanic to counterbalance the good. No, instead as the story unfolds we come to realize that there is nothing evil to Sister Ursula whatsoever. She simply was strict to a group of ornery teen-aged girls and perhaps a bit jealous. There is nothing in the revealed back story or its combination with the present that explains the demonic visage of the nun as she arrives to kill each girl one by one. She's simply evil looking because she is a ghost.

"The Nun" is overwhelming boring by the time the credits roll, giving us an entirely unrewarding experience. Aside from lead actress Anita Briem, there simply is not a whole lot of effort being put into the roles. Where the slow psychological scares they were going for could have worked well had they explored what made Sister Ursula's ghost appear as she did with gray skin and razor sharp teeth, the tension could have worked well. Instead it is flat and unrewarding. While the film does contain some moderately entertaining kills without being too heavy on the gore; it just isn't enough to save this snoozer from the eject button.

Writer/Podcast Host/Cheerleader

Falling in love with the sounds of his own voice, Casey can be found co-hosting the Bloody Good Horror Podcast, the spinoff Instomatic Podcast as well as the 1951 Down Place Podcast dedicated to Hammer Horror. Casey loves horror films of every budget and lives by his battle cry of 'I watch crap, so you don't have to.'

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The Nun 2 – Movie Review (3/5)

Posted by Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard | Sep 8, 2023 | 5 minutes

THE NUN 2 is out in theaters worldwide. It’s the much-anticipated and latest addition to the vast THE CONJURING universe. Here at Heaven of Horror, we weren’t exactly impressed with the first film. This is probably why we were (at least somewhat) pleasantly surprised. Read our The Nun 2 movie review here!

THE NUN 2 is the direct sequel to the first The Nun movie, which itself is a spin-off movie in the vast The Conjuring franchise. I mean, essentially every movie in the The Conjuring franchise that doesn’t have “The Conjuring” in the title are spin-offs, so we’re dealing with a somewhat extensive “family tree” by now.

Read our review of the first The Nun film here >

For the record, we’d better point out that while this The Nun sequel gets the same rating as the first movie, we actually prefer this sequel. From production quality and special effects to the acting, character development, and overall storyline, each element works better here.

And yet, both films are still just mediocre experiences. In hindsight (and having rewatched the first movie), we have to recognize that even though the first film got 3 splatters, it’s really worthy of 3 small splatters.

Continue reading our The Nun 2 movie review below. The film is out in theaters on September 8, 2023.

A stronger story in the sequel

In The Nun 2 , a few years have passed since the events of the first film. And yes, we do get a quick update on what’s happened in the meantime. We are now in the year 1956, where a priest has been murdered in his church in France under demonic circumstances. To say the least.

Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) must therefore once again confront Valak, the demon disguised as a nun.

While the core story in The Nun was a somewhat dull affair with many side plots unrelated to the actual demon nun, considerably more time is spent on relevant storytelling in The Nun 2 . Of course, it can also be argued that the first film had to deal with setting the stage. And yet, that “excuse” doesn’t make sense, as “The Nun”-character had already been featured prominently in several other The Conjuring films.

Including in Annabelle 2: Creation , so both in the core The Conjuring universe (specifically in The Conjuring 2 ) and a spin-off movie focusing on the Annabelle doll.

In any case, in The Nun 2 , there are only two recurring characters. The priest from the first film is no longer with us, so we focus on Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) and Maurice (Jonas Bloquet). In addition, there are also a number of supporting characters who are truly interesting this time around. I won’t reveal details here, but it actually results in a story with a little more depth and heart.

The Nun 2 – Review | Horror Movie Sequel

Not so French for a “Frenchie” anymore

I cannot wrap my head around why there’s this need to have “The Nun”-character constantly roar like a wild animal. And also, she has teeth that bring to mind Venom . For me, it makes the demonic nun much less scary. Bonnie Aaron – who portrays this iconic horror character – is so brilliant when she just stares and smiles.

No need for all the extra horror effects. It takes away from the deep psychological horror and heads towards a comedy angle that does not suit this franchise.

There’s also a detail about Maurice that struck me as silly. Especially when you’ve just re-watched the first film prior to watching the sequel. In the first movie, much is made out of how Maurice is also called “Frenchie”. However, Maurice has forgotten much of his French accent from the first to the second film.

Actually, he sounds mostly British with an added dialect. But since the first movie established that he was from Canada, that doesn’t make much sense. And yet, I can’t even let it get to me that much, because the story as a whole is better here in The Nun 2 .

Don’t worry, it’s easy to keep up

Whatever you think of the plot in The Nun 2 versus the first spin-off film, both Taissa Farmiga and Jonas Bloquet are really good in their respective roles. In fact, I think they’re both better here. Both also get significantly more to work with.

However, why so many flashbacks ? I mean, I do realize it’s to sure the audience has caught all the twists and turns, but come on. I know everyone thinks young people have attention span problems, but this is just ridiculous. We literally saw something less than half an hour ago and then we get to see it again in a flashback. As if we’re incapable of remembering what we just saw.

Especially since the important details were often heavily focused on when the scene was shown the first time around.

Seat moving of its own accord during The Nun sequel

Even though I love “The Nun”-character in other The Conjuring movies, I always get the feeling that she becomes such a minor supporting character in the movies named after her. Or rather, she’s the least creepy in these movies. Maybe that’s really where these movies are misses for me.

In fact, the creepiest moment was when we saw The Nun 2 at a regular screening on opening day. It was in luxury seats, which wasn’t really a requirement for us, but that’s where the first screening of the day was. However, suddenly one of these luxury seats started moving on its own accord.

Right in the middle of a quiet moment, when everyone was waiting for something to happen, HorrorDiva ‘s seat began to move to an upright position. Only hers, and no one else in the theater – as yes, other people were present for this first screening of the day.

Meanwhile, I was still sitting comfortably in a non-moving seat. Which is damn fortunate, because I would have yeeted out of there immediately if it had been my seat.

I’m not called ScreamQueen for nothing.

Watch The Nun 2 in theaters now!

This definitely made for a memorable horror movie experience. However, apart from a few jumps in my seat along the way (because yes, there are many jumpscares), The Nun 2 just wasn’t scary for me.

And again, it needs to be noted that I found this demon nun to be one of the creepiest things in The Conjuring universe. Especially in Annabelle 2: Creation . Maybe we just need David F. Sandberg to make a The Nun movie for it to scare me. Oh yeah, this is definitely me trying to speak this into being. I would love to be truly terrified by Valak, the demon nun, in an actual The Nun movie.

Still, make no mistake, I definitely recommend watching this in the theater. Preferably one with luxury seats that can go all the way back. It would be damn interesting if someone could report back that their seat also spontaneously wanted to return to the default position. You never know!

The Nun 2 is out in US theaters (and in many other countries worldwide) from September 8, 2023.

In Theaters: September 8, 2023 Director: Michael Chaves Writers: Akela Cooper, Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing Cast: Taissa Farmiga, Storm Reid, Bonnie Aarons, Katelyn Rose Downey, Anna Popplewell, Jonas Bloquet

France, 1956. A priest is murdered. An evil is spreading. The sequel to The Nun (2018) follows Sister Irene as she once again comes face to face with the demonic force Valak, the Nun.

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About The Author

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!

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1956 - France. A priest is murdered. An evil is spreading. The sequel to the worldwide smash hit follows Sister Irene as she once again comes face-to-face with Valak, the demon nun. 1956 - France. A priest is murdered. An evil is spreading. The sequel to the worldwide smash hit follows Sister Irene as she once again comes face-to-face with Valak, the demon nun. 1956 - France. A priest is murdered. An evil is spreading. The sequel to the worldwide smash hit follows Sister Irene as she once again comes face-to-face with Valak, the demon nun.

Michael Chaves
Ian Goldberg
Richard Naing
Akela Cooper
Taissa Farmiga
Jonas Bloquet
401 User reviews
161 Critic reviews
47 Metascore
1 win & 12 nominations

The Demon Nun

Madame Laurent

Father Ridley

Sister Amara

Sister Chloe

Father Noiret
Sister Astrid
Double Demon Nun
Sister Maria
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

Trivia The movie was filmed at an actual abandoned church in France.
Goofs The painting of the nun is the same Patrick Wilson painted in The Conjuring 2 (2016) , which is set in1977, years after the events in this movie.
Crazy credits There's a mid-credits scene.
Connections Featured in WhatCulture Horror: 10 Most Anticipated Horror Movie Sequels Coming In 2021 (2020)
Soundtracks Moonlight Serenade Music by Glenn Miller Lyrics by Mitchell Parish Performed by Mark 'Dr. SaxLove' Maxwell Courtesy of Mark Maxwell Music

User reviews 401

Sep 22, 2023
How long is The Nun II? Powered by Alexa
September 8, 2023 (United States)
United States
Film Sözlük
Official Site
Ác Quỷ Ma Sơ II
Couvent des Prêcheurs, Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (boarding school interiors and cloister)
New Line Cinema
Atomic Monster
The Safran Company
See more company credits at IMDbPro
$38,000,000 (estimated)
$86,267,073
$32,603,336
Sep 10, 2023
$269,467,073

Technical specs

Runtime 1 hour 50 minutes

More to explore

Film Review: The Nun Is the Most Boring Horror Movie In Years

Corin Hardy's lame Conjuring spinoff is as frightening as a Walgreens Halloween display

Directed by

Corin Hardy
Demián Bichir
Taissa Farmiga
Jonas Bloquet

Release Year

The Pitch: Because everyone thought that one scene from The Conjuring 2 was creepy, Warner Bros. opted to make an entire movie devoted to the religious specter, which is why we now have this spinoff feature, The Nun . Set in 1952 Romania, this completely unnecessary prequel follows Catholic priest Father Burke ( Demián Bichir ), who’s been tasked by the Vatican to investigate the mysterious suicide of a nun at the Cârța Monastery. Joining him is Sister Irene ( Taissa Farmiga ) and some hunky man servant named “Frenchie” ( Jonas Bloquet ), who both respectively serve as beacons of exposition and tomfoolery, enough to make your eyes roll deep into the back of your head — you know, like one of James Wan’ s creepy creations!

Conjuring Thrills: Seeing how this is part of The Conjuring Universe, since Hollywood is all about those lucrative cinematic universes that give ’em that sweet, sweet flow of cash, fans can expect the same ol’ chills and thrills that have made their past mainstream horror efforts unstoppable blockbusters. In other words, expect a glut of CGI, super slick gore, and literally every type of horror trope you can imagine, going as far back as the old Universal Monsters lore, what with the classic Romania setting. But, you know what’s really not scary? Backstory. When will these Tinseltown suits learn that the more you reveal, the less you scare. It’s simple logic! Think of it this way: Would a closet be creepier after you turn the lights on?

Keep It in the Family: Gotta give it to the cast, though. The three faces — Bichir, Farmiga, and Bloquet — really try to pull this one from the grave, particularly Farmiga, who follows in the footsteps of her sister, Vera. Granted, this is easy peasy fare for the Ryan Murphy alumnus, but she at least tries to sell the scares with her chalky exasperations. The same goes to Bichir, who proves once more that he’s one of Hollywood’s most underrated leading men. (Seriously, can this guy get a prominent role in a Michael Mann movie or something? For Christ’s sake.) It’s truly undeserving casting for such a garbage production, and you can tell by the end that they’re all huffing and puffing in trying to make this something more.

Verdict: The problem is that The Nun was always doomed to fail. By the end of The Conjuring 2 , the titular force had already expired its scare factor, becoming this magnanimous spirit that could somehow swindle people through Bond-esque twists. That’s not scary! That kind of deception is too human to be scary! So, to further flesh out her backstory only makes the spirit that much more ineffective, which is why there’s nothing spooky about this movie at all. In fact, it’s about as effective as a Walgreens Halloween display, where any terror derives from uninspiring shock value, and given that each and every pop-up scare can be seen from over a mile away, the movie fails in that respect, too. It’s exhausting even.

From the get-go, The Conjuring series has always been its best when it stays down to Earth. What made the original so effective was how it felt like a back-to-basics ’70s production in the vein of The Changeling or The Amityville Horror , where the scares stemmed from your backyard. In fact, that movie only stopped being scary when it indulged in the epic theatrics, which is sadly what this franchise appears to be capitalizing on, given what we’ve seen from 2016’s bloated Conjuring sequel and now this hollow genre film. Even so, the concept of a Conjuring Universe in itself doesn’t work, not because it’s based on two historical hacks like Ed and Lorraine Warren, but because, once again, horror is best left unknown.

But hey, keep turning on those lights, Hollywood.

Where’s It Playing? The Nun is playing in theaters everywhere.

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Mike Flanagan Is Right About New Horror Movie Despite Its $35M Box Office

Mike Flanagan's glowing review of The First Omen is right on the money.
Despite underwhelming box office numbers, The First Omen has won viewers and critics.
The First Omen's box office failure can be attributed to its high budget and overestimated value.

A new horror movie has underperformed by earning a little over $35 million at the box office, but Mike Flanagan 's review for the film proves it needs more attention. Since Mike Flanagan has helmed several acclaimed horror movies and shows, like The Haunting of Hill House , Midnight Mass , Gerald's Game , and Doctor Sleep , it is not surprising that he is best known for cinematic horror work. However, beyond his filmmaking endeavors, the director also takes a keen interest in exploring several new and old outings of the genre and publicly sharing his discerning taste and insightful critiques.

For instance, Flanagan has previously been vocal about how much he loves Joel Anderson's obscure horror movie, Lake Mungo . He has also appreciated the works of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead and even invited director Liam Gavin to work with him on The Haunting of Hill House after watching his indie horror movie, A Dark Song . After watching a new horror film, Mike Flanagan took a similar route by not holding himself back from sharing how much he loved it.

3 Upcoming Mike Flanagan TV Shows & Movies

Why mike flanagan's positive review for the first omen is right, mike flanagan's opinion on the first omen is shared by several critics.

The First Omen 's box office might have been a little underwhelming, but Mike Flanagan could not help but sing praises for the film. The horror auteur commended Arkasha Stevenson for beautifully directing The First Omen and making it " downright SCARY. " He also took the time (via Letterboxd ) to compliment Nell Tiger Free's performance by calling her portrayal of Margaret in the film " exceptional. " In his brief review, Flanagan also added that he has rarely seen other dead franchises come back to life so " vibrantly " and mentioned that he expects " great things " from Arkasha Stevenson.

Although The First Omen has not been as commercially successful as one would expect it to be, Mike Flanagan is right on the money about its artistic merits, compelling storytelling, and talents involved in its creation. Viewers and critics have almost unanimously agreed that it not only pays homage to the original film by borrowing some crucial narrative elements but also makes the franchise's overarching narrative more appealing to modern audiences with its disturbing imagery and immersive foreboding atmosphere . Another aspect that makes the film work is its ability to add more layers of realism to the original's narrative.

Although no rumors entail The First Omen's filming and production, it adds even more heft to the original film's authenticity by blurring the lines between dreams and reality.

When the original 1976 The Omen premiered, and the ominous behind-the-scenes events from its production began to emerge, many started believing The Omen 's curse was real. This brought some authenticity to the film and made its story seem more real and terrifying. Although no rumors entail The First Omen's filming and production, it adds even more heft to the original film's authenticity by blurring the lines between dreams and reality. Owing to this, it is hard to draw a clear line between the supernatural elements and religious conspiracies in the film's narrative.

The First Omen Deserved A Better Box Office - Why It Underperformed

Competition and the franchise's overestimated market value are primary factors.

One of the biggest reasons The First Omen failed to leave its mark at the box office is the franchise's inability to be as appealing as big names like Scream , The Conjuring , and Halloween . In the present horror landscape, where several similar horror flicks like Late Night With The Devil and Immaculate are vying for attention, The First Omen 's box office also seems to have been hindered by its familiar themes and storytelling devices. A box office performance of $35 million is not necessarily bad.

However, against The First Omen 's relatively hefty budget of $30 million, it seems like the film and its overarching franchise's commercial value was overestimated . Mike Flanagan 's glowing review proves that The First Omen deserves way more attention than it has gotten. Unfortunately, a movie's overall quality is only one of the many factors that eventually contribute to its commercial success.

The First Omen

The First Omen is a horror film from director Arkasha Stevenson that acts as a prequel to the 1976 film The Omen. The film follows a young woman who goes to Rome to become a nun but begins to question her faith after encountering a terrifying darkness that aims to spawn an evil incarnate.

Director Arkasha Stevenson

Release Date April 5, 2024

Studio(s) Phantom Four

Distributor(s) 20th Century

Writers Arkasha Stevenson, Tim Smith, Ben Jacoby, Keith Thomas

Cast Tawfeek Barhom, Bill Nighy, Nell Tiger Free, Ralph Ineson, Sonia Braga

Genres Horror

Franchise(s) The Omen

Sequel(s) The Omen

Mike Flanagan Is Right About New Horror Movie Despite Its $35M Box Office

Screen Rant

10 best horror movies like late night with the devil.

Late Night with the Devil follows a TV host whose Halloween episode goes awry when a possessed guest brings a demon on set, causing lethal chaos.

Late Night with the Devil combines horror tropes for a visually disturbing film.
Films on demonic possession and unique filmed settings complement this movie.
Explore movies like The Conjuring and Hell House LLC for similar themes and twists.

Released in March 2024, Late Night with the Devil is a horror comedy movie that mixes popular horror tropes to create one spine-chilling, visually disturbing film that brings to mind so many other amazing movies of the genre. Late Night with the Devil's 1970s late night TV setting makes it stand out, but is also reminiscent of so many other found footage horror movies. Its inclusion of a possessed teenager also parallels many classic horror movies that mix young people and demons. All in all, there are countless movies to watch as a companion to Late Night with the Devil.

The best movies to watch after Late Night with the Devil are not just horror movies, but films specifically focused on demonic possession and a unique, filmed setting . Though there are endless horror movies that use the "found footage" trope, Late Night with Devil brings a stable, sound stage quality to this trope, and it isn't the only movie to do this. Overall, the movies that are the most true to Late Night with the Devil are those that stick firmly to the world they have built, filmed or not, and put a new twist on the classic possession trope .

Late Night With The Devil's Record-Breaking Box Office Explained (Did It Really Make $666,666?!)

10 the conjuring (2013), ed and lorraine warren complete an exorcism.

First and foremost, one of the most popular modern horror movies to include a demonic possession like Late Night with the Devil's is The Conjuring. Directed by James Wan, this 2013 movie kicked off an entire The Conjuring universe surrounding the real life paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren. These films are still being made today with 2023's The Nun II. However, The Conjuring follows the Warrens as they investigate a haunted farm house in Rhode Island, 1971. If the 1970s ambiance is not reminiscent enough of Late Night with the Devil, this movie also includes ideas about the validity of psychic or paranormal connections, and also, sees a character become possessed by an evil spirit .

In many ways, The Conjuring and Late Night with the Devil could exist in the same universe considering how easily some of their themes and plot points align.

The Conjuring

9 the medium (2021), a documentary is made about a possessed young woman.

Late Night with the Devil's character Lily, a teenage girl possessed by a demon, is not a very new or exciting concept, but the way in which she's wielded throughout the movie is what makes her seem fresh and interesting. Another horror movie that twists the typical possessed young woman trope is 2021's The Medium. This Thai-South Korean movie follows a young woman named Nim who works as a medium, and claims to be possessed by the goddess Ba Yan . A camera crew arrives to document her and her work. However, the goddess' intentions come into question when Nim's niece begins acting strangely. The Medium is certainly a movie worth looking into, not only because of its similarities to Late Night with the Devil's Lily, but also because it is an international horror movie that deserves more attention in the U.S. It has been praised as gruesome and heart-stopping .

8 The Sacrifice Game (2023)

A group of teens attempt to summon a demon.

There are many ways in which 2023's The Sacrifice Game parallel Late Night with the Devil. Both movies are steeped in the 1970s and both include characters messing around with demons . However, the greatest tie between them is that they both have twists that will shock audiences to their core. The Sacrifice Game follows two young girls who are staying at their boarding school over winter break and are terrorized by a group of murderers who are intent on summoning a demon. Little do they know that the demon may be closer than they think. The Sacrifice Game is not only a well-made, chaotic story, but its twist is what sets it over the edge , and this is what makes it a perfect companion watch to Late Night with the Devil. Both movies are committed to their worlds, and aren't afraid to show the best and worst sides of their characters.

The Sacrifice Game

7 host (2020), a virtual seance gone wrong.

When talking about the found footage trope within horror movies, many imagine something like The Blair Witch Project, however this trope has really evolved over the years into something fresher and more creative, as exemplified by Late Night with the Devil and 2020's Host. The horror film takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a group of friends decide to hold a seance over Zoom . Depicted entirely on a computer screen, audiences watch as the seance takes a horrifying turn. For those who are interested in Late Night with the Devil's late night talk show setting, and want more horror movies using unique formats such as that, Host is the perfect watch. By remaining on Zoom for the entire movie, it proves that horror movies can come in any number of forms and still be absolutely terrifying.

Host was inspired by a real Zoom prank director Rob Savage pulled on his friends.

6 Creep (2014)

A man agrees to film a stranger for a day.

Another horror movie that takes the found footage trope to a new level is 2014's Creep. The movie follows a protagonist who agrees to a Craigslist ad where he films a man for an entire day . However, as the day progresses, it becomes clear that this man may be more nefarious than the protagonist first thought. What is great about Creep, and what makes it comparable to Late Night with the Devil, is what the camera does and does not reveal . By telling the story through the main character's camera, audiences get to see strange and uncomfortable things, whereas other parts are hidden. This helps to build the tension to its peak, making the film that much harder to watch.

Creep's villain, played by Mark Duplass, also has the creepy charisma that works so well for David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil.

5 Poltergeist (1982)

A family finds spirits inside their tv.

Though Late Night with the Devil has ties to many contemporary movies, there are several classics that it seems to hark back to, or at least, has similarities with. 1982's Poltergeist is certainly one. This movie follows the Freeling family as they discover that there are ghosts in their TV with whom they can communicate. However, when their five-year-old daughter goes missing, the family must hire some help to remove these spirits from their home. The most obvious connection between Late Night with the Devil and Poltergeist is the presence of powerful spirits and the use of a young girl as their conduit. But then again, there is once again the use of a television to portray the spirits , and while this made Poltergeist unique upon its initial release, it now acts as a great parallel to Late Night with the Devil.

4 The Exorcist (1973)

A little girl is possessed by a demon.

Another classic horror movie that Late Night with the Devil is reminiscent of is 1973's The Exorcist. This movie follows a young girl who, after playing with an Ouija board, becomes possessed . While the connection between Linda Blair's Regan and Lily from Late Night with the Devil may seem obvious, there is actually a much deeper relationship between these two movies. Though the core of The Exorcist is Regan and her possession, the movie's most important themes are about the exorcist himself and how he feels about treating this condition. There are themes of doubt and misunderstanding about Regan's possession . This is a huge part of Late Night with the Devil as well. The movie constantly questions what is real, up until the point when it is too late for anyone to be saved. This makes The Exorcist and Late Night with the Devil two sides of the same coin.

The set of The Exorcist was famously considered to be haunted.

The Exorcist

3 hell house llc (2015), a documentary crew examines a haunted house tour.

Returning to the use of "found footage," Hell House LLC is a prime example of a horror movie that, like Late Night with the Devil, uses a different format to its benefit. The 2015 movie is filmed like a documentary and tells the story of a hotel that was set up like a haunted house in which fifteen people mysteriously died inside. A group of documentarians enters to reveal the truth about what happened, but they soon find their own horror story inside. What really sticks out about Hell House LLC and Late Night with the Devil is the use of time and legacy. The start of Late Night with the Devil implies that something really treacherous happened in the past, building up audience anticipation and dread. The same occurs in Hell House LLC, and once again, the twist ending gives the movie that final punch it needs to have an amazing finale.

Hell House LLC

2 rec (2007), a tv reporter follows a fire department call gone wrong.

To top it off, a movie that is considered one of the best "found footage" horror movies of all time is 2007's Rec. The Spanish horror film follows a television news reporter who follows a group of firefighters on an emergency call wherein a strange virus is spreading inside an apartment building . At first glance, Rec and Late Night with the Devil seem to have no similarities beyond being considered "found footage" movies. However, this isn't quite true. Both movies see a group of people continuously taken down by an evil force, and in the end, there is no one left with a happy ending in Late Night with the Devil or Rec . In many ways, this type of finale makes these movies unique, as most horror films end with one survivor. Meanwhile, Rec and Late Night with the Devil go full throttle, showing that sometimes in horror, evil wins .

1 WNUF Halloween Special (2013)

A television host and crew investigate a haunted house.

By far, the horror movie closest to Late Night with the Devil is the 2013 horror comedy, WNUF Halloween Special.

This movie follows a television host who takes himself and a crew of paranormal investigators into what is believed to be a haunted house as a Halloween special for his newscast. Clearly, this premise alone is a perfect parallel to Late Night with the Devil. But the similarities don't end there. Both WNUF Halloween Special and Late Night with the Devil have main characters who are more interested in the novelty of the paranormal than the truth of it , and furthermore, both movies include commercials and tid bits throughout that make the film feel like a real television special. Despite their commonalities though, WNUF Halloween Special is definitely worth the watch, especially for those who enjoyed Late Night with the Devil .

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How to Watch the Sydney Sweeney Horror Movie ‘Immaculate’ Online At Home

Sweeney stars as a nun who discovers a chilling secret, and you can stream the movie now (preferably with the lights on).

By Rylee Johnston

Rylee Johnston

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DVD cover of sydney sweeney immaculate movie

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Keep reading to learn more about Immaculate and the streaming options available.

How to Watch Immaculate Online

While a streaming service for Immaculate has yet to be announced, you can watch Immaculate online through VOD on Prime Video and Apple TV.

You can rent or buy the horror movie through Prime Video with the rental priced at $10, and $20 for purchases. You don’t need a Prime membership in order to stream Immaculate at home either — just make your purchase and the movie will automatically download to your digital library. Rentals will be available for 30 days after purchase and for 48 hours once you start streaming the movie.

You can also buy or rent the movie on Apple TV to watch Immaculate at home. An Apple TV streaming device is not required to stream the movie. You can also get access to Apple TV through most smart TVs , Amazon Fire TV , Apple TV+ , Roku devices , tablet or gaming consoles .

It’s likely that you’ll be able to stream Immaculate on Hulu , which has a deal with NEON (the film distributer for the horror flick). Hulu has yet to announce the official streaming date, but new users can sign up for a 30-day free trial here to make sure you have the platform in time for its streaming premiere.

“Immaculate” [Blu-Ray]

The Immaculate DVD features a close-up photo of Sweeney you’lll be tempted to display on your mantle. Each Blu-ray DVD comes with special features that’ll give you a deeper look at the making of the film.

What Is the Movie Immaculate About?

Immaculate follows Cecilia (Sweeney) an American nun of devout faith who joins a remote convent in the Italian countryside. She enters what appears to be a warm welcoming, but soon takes a dark turn as Cecilia begins to unravel the sinister secrets the convent has been hiding.

Starring alongside Sweeney includes Álvaro Morte, Simona Tabasco, Benedetta Porcaroli, Giorgio Colangeli, Dora Romano, Giulia Heathfield Di Renzi, Giampiero Judica, Betty Pedrazzi and Giuseppe Lo Piccolo.

Why Is the Immaculate Movie Rated R?

Immaculate is rated R, which is not recommended for those under 17-years-old. IMBD explains the film was given the rating for its strong and bloody violent content, grisly images, nudity and some language.

Check below to watch the trailer for Immaculate .

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Dune: Part Two, Netflix’s Rebel Moon Part Two, and every new movie to watch at home this weekend

The sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic finally arrives on VOD this week

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Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Zendaya as Chani in DUNE: PART TWO

Greetings, Polygon readers! Each week, we round up the most notable new releases to streaming and VOD, highlighting the biggest and best new movies for you to watch at home.

This week, Dune: Part Two , the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novel , finally comes to VOD. That’s not the only new sci-fi epic this week, as Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver , the follow-up to Zack Snyder's 2023 space opera starring Sofia Boutella ( Kingsman: The Secret Service ), is now available to stream on Netflix.

There’s tons of other exciting releases to enjoy this weekend as well, including the irreverent indie hit Hundreds of Beavers , the spine-chilling horror thriller Late Night with the Devil , the surreal comedy Problemista starring Julio Torres and Tilda Swinton, and much more.

Here’s everything new that’s available to watch this weekend!

New on Netflix

Rebel moon part two: the scargiver.

Where to watch: Available to stream on Netflix

Genre: Sci-fi epic Run time: 2h 2m Director: Zack Snyder Cast: Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein

The second part of Zack Snyder’s Star Wars project turned original sci-fi franchise hits Netflix this week. Part Two looks more action-packed than the first, delivering on the final battle the first installment built up to. There’s no word yet on whether that means the R-rated cut of Rebel Moon will arrive soon, but it can’t hurt its chances.

New on MGM Plus

The beekeeper.

Where to watch: Available to stream on Paramount Plus

Genre: Action thriller Run time: 1h 45m Director: David Ayer Cast: Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Bobby Naderi

Jason Statham stars in David Ayer’s latest action film as Adam Clay, a retired “Beekeeper” (see: black ops secret agent) working as an actual beekeeper in Massachusetts. When Adam’s kindly employer loses her entire life savings to a nefarious phishing operation, he embarks on a one-man mission to avenge her and bring justice to those who wronged her.

From our review :

Statham is his reliable self, mixing his effortless gruff charm with his comedy chops to help sell the ridiculous lines he has to deliver. And the movie looks great — Ayer and cinematographer Gabriel Beristain cleverly infuse the visuals with a yellow/amber color palette to match the title and the vibe, often making you feel like you’re watching the movie from inside a honeycomb.

New on Peacock

Where to watch: Available to stream on Peacock

A baby mallard dunk, a pre-teen mallard duck with green feathers, and a blue heron splashing in a pond beside autumn trees in Migration.

Genre: Adventure comedy Run time: 1h 23m Director: Benjamin Renner Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Keegan-Michael Key

This computer-animated comedy from the studio behind Despicable Me , Minions , and The Secret Life of Pets follows a family of mallard ducks who embark on a migration from New England to Jamaica for the winter. Shenanigans inevitably ensue as the family becomes lost from the rest of the migratory flock and must find their own way to the vacation of a lifetime.

New on Shudder

Late night with the devil.

Where to watch: Available to stream on Shudder ; also available on AMC Plus and VOD

Ingrid Torelli sits in a chair with a bloody nose and wrist straps while David Dastmalchian and Laura Gordon sit nearby in Colin Cairnes and Cameron Cairnes’ Late Night With the Devil

Genre: Supernatural horror Run time: 1h 26m Directors: Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes Cast: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss

An intriguing vehicle for one of our most intriguing performers working today, Late Night with the Devil follows an ambitious variety show host (David Dastmalchian) who invites a possessed girl on the show to boost ratings. Things go very, very wrong.

With all its tremendous production design held together by the glue of Dastmalchian’s performance, the Cairnes revel in taking us on Late Night with the Devil ’s ride, playfully tricking us into seeing things that aren’t really there, and winking at the camera whenever they get the chance with little touches like effects that look appropriately of the era, making it impossible to know whether they really happened on the stage or are a trick of the broadcast. All these neat little flourishes build to a finale that feels somewhere between a hallucination and something you could imagine happening on the worst day in live TV history.

New on Starz

Where to watch: Available to stream on Starz ; also available on AMC Plus and VOD

Tobin Bell as John Kramer (aka the Jigsaw Killer) in Saw X.

Genre: Horror Run time: 1h 58m Director: Kevin Greutert Cast: Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Synnøve Macody Lund

Tobin Bell returns to reprise his iconic role as John Kramer (aka Jigsaw) in the 10th installment in the Saw horror franchise. Set between the events of Saw and Saw 2 , Saw X follows John Kramer traveling to Mexico to undergo an experimental treatment to cure his brain cancer. After discovering that he has been conned, John enlists the aid of his apprentice, Amanda (Shawnee Smith), to punish his would-be saviors for their deception.

New on Metrograph at Home

Sweet dreams.

Where to watch: Available to stream on Metrograph at Home

Genre: Drama Run time: 1h 42m Director: Ena Sendijarević Cast: Renée Soutendijk, Hayati Azis, Lisa Zweerman

The Metrograph has programmed a series on the films of Bosnian-Dutch director Ena Sendijarević, with both of her features and some movies that have inspired her. Her second film, Sweet Dreams , will be making its streaming debut on Metrograph at Home, and her debut Take Me Somewhere Nice will also be available on the platform. Set on a Dutch East Indies plantation in the early 20th century, Sweet Dreams is a “stingingly sardonic satire observing decadence and moral decay on a sugar plantation.”

I Hate Myself :)

Genre: Documentary Run time: 56m Director: Joanna Arnow

Along with their series on Sendijarević, Metrograph has an at home series on the work of Joanna Arnow, whose new comedy The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed releases in theaters next week. The Metrograph collection includes two shorts — Bad at Dancing and Laying Out — and also the streaming premiere of her feature debut, the documentary I Hate Myself :) . The doc follows the filmmaker’s year-long relationship with an “open-mic poet provocateur.”

New to rent

Dune: part two.

Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon , Apple , and Vudu

A trio of sandworms crash through the shield wall in Dune: Part 2.

Genre: Sci-fi epic Run time: 2h 46m Director: Denis Villeneuve Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson

Picking up shortly after the events of Dune: Part One , the second part of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novel sees Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), hiding out among the Fremen of Arrakis as House Harkonnen resumes control over the planet. Haunted by visions of the future, Paul is faced with the terrible decision of fulfilling his destiny to exact revenge at the cost of his humanity.

In Dune: Part Two , however, Villeneuve has matured as a filmmaker. The movie is no less impressive than his previous work, maybe even more impressive. But these moments of visual splendor often come and go with little fanfare, supporting the character and action of a scene rather than distracting from them. Villeneuve has never had this kind of overt visual confidence before. It’s a clear statement that no single visual has to be the movie’s signature moment, because it’s surrounded by a thousand other beautiful, breathtaking images that somehow all feel perfectly aligned.

Hundreds of Beavers

Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple , and Vudu

Genre: Slapstick comedy Run time: 1h 48m Director: Mike Cheslik Cast: Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Olivia Graves

One of the year’s most exciting, innovative, and entertaining movies, Hundreds of Beavers is a black-and-white silent comedy that is the absolute funniest movie of the year. It’s deliriously funny and a genuinely new cinematic experience.

You don’t need to be a cinema scholar or even a fan of silent comedy to appreciate Hundreds of Beavers . That’s the goofy joy of this project — while its foundation is firmly set in the classics of the genre and the medium, at its heart, it’s a laugh-a-minute thrill ride about a very silly person on a very silly quest. Sometimes, that’s just what the doctor ordered.

Sydney Sweeney in Immaculate, screaming with her face covered in blood

Genre: Psychological horror Run time: 1h 29m Director: Michael Mohan Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte, Benedetta Porcaroli

Sydney Sweeney ( Euphoria ) stars in this new supernatural horror movie as Cecilia, a devout nun who is invited to serve at a beautiful secluded convent to tend to ailing nuns on their deathbeds. Upon arriving, Cecilia quickly discovers that the convent has much more in store for her, as she awakens to discover she is miraculously pregnant.

From the beginning, Immaculate director Michael Mohan is thoroughly committed to delivering a throwback exploitation movie of exorbitant sleaze. There may not be any outright sex in the movie, but there are long scenes of nuns taking baths in skimpy white dresses, and leering priests lurking around every corner that interrogate Cecilia over her virgin status — only to verify the purity and truth of their coming savior, of course. Immaculate also has more graphic blood, guts, and gore than most action movies these days. All of these little elements are hallmarks of prime 1970s nunsploitation , the horror offshoot specifically centered on the cloth.

Problemista

Tilda Swinton in a green blazer and fuschia hair holds a water bottle, addressing someone offscreen with Julio Torres in a hoodie and backpack standing behind her, from Problemista

Genre: Surrealist comedy Run time: 1h 38m Director: Julio Torres Cast: Tilda Swinton, Julio Torres, RZA

This irreverent comedy follows the story of Alejandro (Julio Torres), a struggling toy designer from El Salvador who accepts a job from an erratic artist (Tilda Swinton) in order to qualify for a work visa. Polygon had the opportunity to catch up with writer-director Torres and Swinton in the lead-up to the film’s release to discuss Problemista ’s themes and the importance of nurturing curiosity.

The Three Musketeers - Part II: Milady

Genre: Action adventure Run time: 1h 55m Director: Martin Bourboulon Cast: Vincent Cassel, Eva Green, Romain Duris

France’s latest blockbuster adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ legendary novel was split into two parts. The first, D’Artagnan , was extremely fun and exactly the kind of blockbuster fare you’d hope for from this sort of project — a star-studded and charismatic cast, fun action set-pieces, and terrific period-setting production design. Ever since watching it, I’ve been waiting for the VOD arrival of Milady — I couldn’t be more excited to check it out.

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‘Expats’ Star Ruby Ruiz to Lead James J. Robinson’s Directorial Debut ‘First Light’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Independent Entertainment has boarded the Australian-Filipino co-production, which has now started shooting

By Alex Ritman

Alex Ritman

‘Expats’ Star Ruby Ruiz to Lead James J. Robinson’s Directorial Debut ‘First Light’ (EXCLUSIVE) 2 hours ago
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Multi award-winning Filipina actress Ruby Ruiz has landed her first major screen role following her appearance in Amazon’s “ Expats .” She will lead “First Light,” the feature directorial debut of James. J. Robinson.

Principal photography is now underway on the Australian-Filipino co-production, which comes with funding from Screen Australia. Veteran actress Maricel Soriano (“Mother Nanny”), Rez Cortez (“Bukal”), Soliman Cruz (“Blue Room”) and Kidlat Tahimik round out the cast.

Popular on Variety

Supported by Screen Australia in association with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Clou Media Productions, the Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund and VicScreen, “First Light” is produced by Gabrielle Pearson through her outfit Majella Productions alongside Christelle Dychangco from Clou Media Productions and Jane Pe Aguirre (“A Prayer Before Dawn”), one of the Philippines’ most respected and longest working producers. GoodThing Productions’ Nick Batzias and Virginia Whitwell (“Nitram,” “The Australian Dream”) serve as executive producers.

Independent Entertainment have boarded the film and will handle global sales, excluding Australia and New Zealand, where Bonsai Films will distribute the film theatrically.

Robinson is a celebrated Filipino-Australian artist with an expansive career in photography and filmmaking. His work has regularly appeared in publications such as The New York Times and Vogue Australia, where he has photographed some of the world’s biggest names including Kylie Jenner, Sydney Sweeney, Rose Byrne and Harris Dickinson. His Filipino short documentary “Inang Maynila” was acquired by Nowness and screened at the Brooklyn Film Festival in 2022, while his previous short “No Reception” was part of the 2018 TIFF x Instagram Shorts program in 2018.

“‘First Light’ is a captivating blend of Filipino and Australian creativity, delving into themes of mortality, faith and self-discovery,” said Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon. “With universal resonance, this film promises an engaging journey for audiences.”

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IMAGES

The Nun (2018) Horror Movie Review
The Nun (2018) Horror Movie Review
Take Two Review: The Nun (2018)
The Nun review: This clichéd horror movie deserves to be buried alive
[Review] 'The Nun' is a Calmly, Consistently Creepy Slice of Gothic
Film Review: The Nun Is the Most Boring Horror Movie In Years

VIDEO

Funny horror the nun horror
The nun horror movie best scene
THE NUN REVIEW
the nun horror movie status
The Nun (2018)
The Nun (2018) Movie Explained In Bangla

COMMENTS

The Nun movie review & film summary (2018)
The Nun. A little bit of The Nun goes a long way. With her cheekbones jutting like daggers from her chalky-white skin, her eyes a piercing yellow beneath her habit and her ravenous, bloody fangs, The Nun served as a deeply unsettling image in brief but potent glimpses throughout various films in " The Conjuring " universe. Now, we get an ...
The Nun
Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 04/10/24 Full Review R-T T The Nun is the stupidest movie after The Curse of La Jorona in the Conjuring film universe, not scary, boring and stupid Rated ...
The Nun
Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Mar 1, 2021. The backstory to the creepy demon who bothered Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring 2, etc: in 1952, a priest and a novice nun are sent to Romania to ...
The Nun (2018)
The Nun: Directed by Corin Hardy. With Demián Bichir, Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Bonnie Aarons. A priest with a haunted past and a novice on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate the death of a young nun in Romania and confront a malevolent force in the form of a demonic nun.
Review: In 'The Nun,' a Franchise Resumes Its Scary Habits
The neighborhood of this particular strangeness is a remote abbey in 1952 Romania, where a nun hangs herself in a prologue. Upon arrival, Sister Irene and Father Burke don't seem duly alarmed ...
The Nun Review
Horror movies need some lighter moments to relieve the tension. It's less a case of there being too many laughs versus scares; it's just that the scares don't work as consistently as the jokes.
The Nun (2018 film)
The Nun is a 2018 American gothic supernatural horror film directed by Corin Hardy and written by Gary Dauberman, from a story by Dauberman and James Wan. It serves as a spiritual spin-off to The Conjuring 2 and is the fifth installment in The Conjuring shared universe.The film stars Taissa Farmiga, Demián Bichir and Jonas Bloquet, with Bonnie Aarons reprising her role as the Demon Nun, an ...
The Nun
Spiritual Elements. The Nun is the most spiritually soused movie I've seen this year, and that's by design. "Thematically, when I think about these movies, it really comes down to belief," says screenwriter Gary Dauberman in a faith-centric featurette released in conjunction with The Nun.But to get into the movie's spiritual underpinnings, we will have to spoil a bit of the movie itself.
The Nun Review: Don't Stop Saying Your Prayers
The casual moviegoer will be satisfied as the movie is peppered with just enough intrigue and tension to keep you on the edge of your seat. But, save for the all-too-expected jump scares, The Nun ...
The Nun Movie Review
The Nun is a thinly-sketched Conjuring spinoff that's light on real scares, but offers enough stylish atmosphere to make up (some of) the difference. Trading in the creaky old houses and haunted apartments from the previous Conjuring movies for a decaying monastery, The Nun is certainly the "biggest" installment in the horror franchise yet.
The Nun Movie Review: Creepy, Yes...Scary, Not So Much
Directed By: Corin Hardy. MPAA Rating: R for terror, violence, and disturbing/bloody images. Running Time: 1 hour 36 minutes. Release Date: September 7, 2018. Review of the 2018 horror film The Nun, a spinoff from The Conjuring 2. The spinoff doesn't live up to the original Conjuring films.
[Review] 'The Nun' is a Calmly, Consistently Creepy Slice of Gothic Horror
The latest chapter in this supernatural saga is called The Nun. It's a grim, gloomy, understated horror tale that. truth be told, probably would have bored me back when I was a wee little 15 ...
The Nun (2018)
The plot follows a Roman Catholic priest and a nun in her novitiate as they uncover an unholy secret in 1952 Romania. The movie has great locations, some interesting ideas, good jumpscares and atmospheres, and a pretty good first half. Unfortunately the film has a bad second half with some ridicolous moments.
The Nun review
They send Father Burke (Demián Bichir) to investigate this nunnery of evil, and he takes doe-eyed novitiate Irene (Taissa Farmiga) with him for assistance. A tousled young local sinner called ...
The Nun review
A prequel to the previous prequels, set before the Annabelle and Conjuring movies began, The Nun is the origin story (sort of) of demon Valak who came out of a painting and bothered Lorraine ...
The Nun (Movie Review)
Love it or hate it, The Conjuring-verse has expanded once again.Corin Hardy's The Nun proves that no monster or character from these supernatural films is safe from receiving their own standalone story, including the titular demonic religious figure. For those wondering how this evil nun came to be before the events of The Conjuring 2, you'll be disappointed to know to know The Nun doesn ...
The Nun Movie Review
Our review: Parents say ( 38 ): Kids say ( 60 ): Sadly, this fifth chapter in the Conjuring franchise is, despite a temptingly promising locale/premise, nowhere near as scary, inspired, or coherent as its predecessors. The Nun boasts a strong cast -- led by Oscar nominee Bichir and Farmiga (the younger sister of Vera Farmiga, who played ...
The Nun (Movie Review)
A movie with grand ideas, but unfortunately the execution falls flat. Playing heavily on Japanese horror influences such as "The Ring", the movie tries to be slow and psychological. Due to various plot holes, annoying acting and a general lack of anything interesting, it only manages to play to the slow side of their dreams.
10 Best Horror Movies About Nuns
Though horror movies are frequently overlooked or critically panned, they can serve as an excellent insight into the political and societal issues of different generations. Movie. IMDb Rating. Verónica (2017) 6.2 / 10. The Nun (2018) 5.3 / 10. The Nun II (2023) 5.6 / 10.
The Nun 2
THE NUN 2 is the direct sequel to the first The Nun movie, which itself is a spin-off movie in the vast The Conjuring franchise. I mean, essentially every movie in the The Conjuring franchise that doesn't have "The Conjuring" in the title are spin-offs, so we're dealing with a somewhat extensive "family tree" by now.. Read our review of the first The Nun film here >
The Nun II (2023)
The Nun II: Directed by Michael Chaves. With Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Storm Reid, Anna Popplewell. 1956 - France. A priest is murdered. An evil is spreading. The sequel to the worldwide smash hit follows Sister Irene as she once again comes face-to-face with Valak, the demon nun.
Film Review: The Nun Is the Most Boring Horror Movie In Years
The Pitch: Because everyone thought that one scene from The Conjuring 2 was creepy, Warner Bros. opted to make an entire movie devoted to the religious specter, which is why we now have this spinoff feature, The Nun.Set in 1952 Romania, this completely unnecessary prequel follows Catholic priest Father Burke (Demián Bichir), who's been tasked by the Vatican to investigate the mysterious ...
Mike Flanagan Is Right About New Horror Movie Despite Its $35M ...
A new horror movie has underperformed by earning a little over $35 million at the box office, but Mike Flanagan's review for the film proves it needs more attention. Since Mike Flanagan has helmed ...
10 Best Horror Movies Like Late Night With The Devil
First and foremost, one of the most popular modern horror movies to include a demonic possession like Late Night with the Devil's is The Conjuring.Directed by James Wan, this 2013 movie kicked off an entire The Conjuring universe surrounding the real life paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren. These films are still being made today with 2023's The Nun II.
Immaculate (2024 film)
Immaculate is a 2024 American psychological horror film directed by Michael Mohan and written by Andrew Lobel. It stars Sydney Sweeney (who also produced), Álvaro Morte, Benedetta Porcaroli, Dora Romano, Giorgio Colangeli, and Simona Tabasco.The plot focuses on a young woman of devout faith, who is invited to reside at a picturesque Italian convent, but slowly realizes the terrifying secrets ...
How to Watch 'Immaculate' Horror Movie Online: Rent, Stream at Home
How to Watch the Sydney Sweeney Horror Movie 'Immaculate' Online At Home. Sweeney stars as a nun who discovers a chilling secret, and you can stream the movie now (preferably with the lights on).
'Stream'
While you wait for Damien Leone's Terrifier 3 later this year from Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting, the team's next horror movie Stream is headed to theaters in August. Deadline has announced ...
Dune: Part Two, Rebel Moon Part Two, and every new movie to watch
Run time: 1h 29m. Director: Michael Mohan. Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte, Benedetta Porcaroli. Sydney Sweeney ( Euphoria) stars in this new supernatural horror movie as Cecilia, a devout nun ...
'Expats' Star Ruby Ruiz to Lead James J. Robinson's 'First Light'
Majella Productions. Multi award-winning Filipina actress Ruby Ruiz has landed her first major screen role following her appearance in Amazon's " Expats .". She will lead "First Light ...