I feel a bit silly referring to The Nun II as a horror movie, because it isn't frightening, creepy, or even involving. The little plot it has is at the service of "scary" set pieces and nifty special digital effects. This movie is an assembly line product without any soul, and boy, it was a trial to sit through.
Part of The Conjuring universe, The Nun II is set in 1956 and concerns mysterious deaths of clergymen throughout France. After a priest goes up in flames at a church in Tarascon, France, survivor of the events of the previous Nun movie, Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga), is dispatched to investigate. Tagging along with her - without permission - is young Sister Debra (Storm Reid).
It's soon discovered that another returning character, handyman Maurice (Jonas Bloquet), is possessed by the demonic nun, Valak (Bonnie Aarons), and that is how and why priests are being murdered. Don't worry, because a hidden amulet can set everything right.
Because of the barely there plot, The Nun II is mostly scenes of filler. Characters find themselves lost in darkened hallways, darkened staircases, darkened rooms, or, if they are outside, darkened side streets or darkened alleyways. Scenes like these are plentiful and protracted, and directed and edited without any panache. The evil nun herself is completely ineffectual.
We know that the movie will end with a confrontation with the evil nun, but the funny thing is that the film never feels that it is building towards anything.
The climactic sound and light show is, at first, kind of amusing because we get nuns and screaming schoolgirls running around as if they are in a Scooby-Doo chase scene. Soon, though, it wears out its welcome.
Yes, the actors are getting paychecks, but I feel bad for them, because there aren't any characters for them to dive into. Truly, there is nothing to play here except to give looks of fright or surprise.
If you are looking for a horror movie that will give you the heebie-jeebies, and stay with you for a while, or make you check in the closet or under the bed before you go to sleep at night, The Nun II isn't it. It so bland and safe that, most likely, you'll get a good night's sleep. Where's the fun in that?
