Film Journal 2023: The Nun 2

Film Journal 2023: The Nun 2
Directed by Michael Chaves

There are definitely some issues with the screenplay, which are most notable in moments where the editing is trying to balance an interest in exploring the story with a need to move the story forward. There are also moments where the dialogue feels a bit clunky and forced, which I would put again on the script more than the performances. But all of that said, it’s also hard to deny that this film finds its legs in the second half, going bigger on the scares, the bonkers, and even in building some nice emotional heft.

The first installment of the two Nun entries into larger Conjuring universe was decidedly pared back in comparison, which was actually an element I really appreciated. The second one, while being something of a slow burn in the first half, builds a story that in all honesty reaches for epic proportions. And when it works on the creep out level, it really works. The film has the benefit of leaning into the already established characters, and that goes a long way in overriding those shortcomings I mentioned above, as it’s genuinely easy to care about these characters. While the Director clearly had ambitions for writing in some substantial subtext regarding the internal struggle of its characters, the true strength of the film is between the different interactions that exist within a sizeable cast.

The first entry boasted some understated but I thought quite effective cinematography. This one is good, but it trades the camera movement of the first for more on the ground action. Where it retains a similar focus is in the atmosphere, with the setting giving it a more diverse playground to move around in, there are some stand out sequences as well, including one with a wall full of magazines.

While I still think the first one was grossly underrated, if I had to wager a guess, I do think most people will probably enjoy this sequel more. Especially if they commit to the first half, because I think the second half really does start to bring the different threads together in a big way.