Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent entry in Conjuring series feels rushed, confused.
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The Nun
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 41 parent reviews
Parents say the film is largely considered mediocre, with many reviewers noting its reliance on predictable jump scares and a lack of character development and coherent plot. While some believe it could be enjoyable for mature tweens, others feel it fails to deliver real scares or substantial storytelling, ultimately deeming it a disappointment within its genre.
- predictable scares
- mediocre plot
- dull characters
- suitable for tweens
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 66 kid reviews
Kids say the movie has a significant range of opinions, with many finding it boring and predictable, often criticizing its reliance on jump scares rather than genuine horror. However, a few viewers appreciated its atmosphere and found it entertaining, especially for younger audiences, though many felt it fell short compared to other films in the franchise.
- boring and predictable
- jump scare dependence
- mixed audience reception
- some appreciate atmosphere
- fine for younger viewers
Summarized with AI
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 Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : terror, violence, and disturbing/bloody images
- Last updated : December 17, 2025
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