Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Blood, monsters, demon-nun jump scares in silly sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Nun II
What's the Story?
In THE NUN II, Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) is now at a convent in France, trying to forget the incidents of the previous movie. But the demon nun known as the Valak is back again, moving across Europe and now seemingly taking up residence in a nearby boarding school. The Vatican calls on Irene to handle the demon once more, so she reluctantly starts conducting detective work, accompanied by intrepid young novitiate Sister Debra (Storm Reid). They discover a secret link between the demon's previous victims, as well as a potential weapon they can use to fight it. But time is running out back at the boarding school, and the demon is growing bolder.
Is It Any Good?
This horror sequel certainly looks good, but rather than spending time on atmosphere or character, it concentrates on powering through its silly story and generating typical jump scares. The original The Nun (2018) was the worst-reviewed movie in the Conjuring universe, but it still ended up becoming the highest-grossing worldwide. So it's perhaps no surprise that producers ordered up more of the same. With Michael Chaves taking over directing duties from Corin Hardy, The Nun II makes all of the same mistakes as its predecessor, going heavy on noisy scare effects and hoping no one will notice how ridiculous the story is.
The screenplay is airless, and absolutely everything in it is used to forward the plot; there's no breathing room and not an inch of life. The timing feels very off, with some characters left stranded in certain spots while others are running around. And during the breakneck car ride back to the boarding school, viewers see Irene and Debra in the back seat but never the driver! All of the doors creak mightily, and anyone who holds a flashlight scans the dark rooms ever ... so ... slowly. It's all obviously meant to set up more jump scares. The sets are gorgeous, and Farmiga and Reid are likable, but when the dull The Nun II finally comes to a close, it's "none too" soon.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Nun II's violence. How much is suggested and how much is shown? What do you think is the impact of showing something graphic on-screen compared to leaving it to the viewer's imagination?
What's the appeal of scary movies? Why is it sometimes fun to be scared?
How is bullying behavior depicted here? How is the person who perpetrates it dealt with? What are ways of handling those who bully others?
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 8, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : November 14, 2023
- Cast : Taissa Farmiga , Storm Reid , Jonas Bloquet
- Director : Michael Chaves
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Writer(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Black Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : New Line Cinema
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violent content and some terror
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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