Historically I have not been the type of fan to go see every blockbuster horror flick in the theaters (especially on opening weekend). Too many times over the years have I made the mistake of getting myself too hyped up, which ultimately leads to disappointment. That being said, as a huge fan of The Conjuring cinematic universe, I knew I’d be seeing The Nun opening weekend. Did the latest entry in the acclaimed franchise justify an opening night viewing? Let’s find out.
Summary:
When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order’s unholy secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force in the form of the same demonic nun that first terrorized audiences in ‘The Conjuring 2,’ as the abbey becomes a horrific battleground between the living and the damned.
Review:
Plot- 8/10:
As someone who has an occult past, as well as someone who is now a born again Christian, I often find myself drawn to these types of movies that find themselves so ingrained with religious themes. A abbey in Romania with ties to the demonic offers for a chilling experience. The plot was easy enough to follow, and wasn’t too generic to be boring.
Acting- 7/10:
Demien Bachir and Taissa Farmiga did a wonderful job portraying Father Burke and Sister Irene. Farmiga particularly stood out, accurately conveying the total bad-assery of Sister Irene, despite her youth. I’m not sure if it was the acting or the writing, but I didn’t really particularly care for the character of Frenchie.
Special Effects- 6/10:
With the chilling atmosphere providing the scares, there wasn’t a tremendous need for special effects. That being said, there were a few instances of CGI produced effects that didn’t really do it for me. I try not to be the guy that completely disavows all CGI, as I do know that there are plenty of times where it is necessary. That being said, at a particularly crucial point in the film, there was a scene that looked like it came from a PC game.
Fear/Atmosphere- 8/10:
This film had tremendous atmosphere. The Gothic nature of the picture felt like an old school Hammer Horror production. The woods of Romania are already a frightening enough setting, but add an occult fueled Nunnery into the mix, and you have the recipe for terror. While the atmosphere kept you on the edge of your seat, the well placed and not overdone jump scares might have caused you to leap from those seats.
Conclusion- 7.25/10
A long time ago, my interested in horror was fueled by the DeFeo murders and subsequent haunted house story, The Amityville Horror. During that time is when I was introduced to famed demonologists and paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. When I had heard that there was going to be a movie based on one of the Warren’s investigations, I was thrilled. Since The Conjuring, I have been a huge fan of the ongoing series. While I wouldn’t necessarily say I prefer The Nun over the first two Conjuring movies, I will say that it is an above average Gothic horror flick that is a solid addition to the franchise. It’s creepy atmosphere and old school feel kept me entertained.
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