New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster and The Safran Company’s The Nun II (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; A) is the ninth film in The Conjuring franchise.
Set four years after the ending of the film, The Nun, this sequel follows Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) as she is given the task of finding the devil and stopping it. At a boarding school in France, Sister Irene has to face the demonic force, Valak, the Nun (Bonnie Aarons), where she is looking for the eyes of Saint Lucy. Meanwhile, Frenchie (Jonas Bloquet) is possessed by the devil after he saved Sister Irene in the first film. The devil is using him to find the “Eyes” in the boarding school, where Frenchie has befriended a little girl, Sophie (Katelyn Rose Downey), and his mother, Kate (Anna Popplewell).
Akela Cooper has written a story which thrills in parts only. The screenplay, penned by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing and Akela Cooper, lacks novelty. Due to this, the thrills and chills it affords are few and far between. Besides, because of lack of newness in the drama, even the excitement level is low.
Taissa Farmiga does fairly well as Sister Irene. Jonas Bloquet is good as Frenchie. Bonnie Aarons is so-so as Valak, the Nun. Storm Reid lends average support as Sister Debra. Anna Popplewell is okay as Kate. Katelyn Rose Downey has her moments as Sophie. Suzanne Bertish (as Madame Laurent), Léontine d’Oncieu (as Simone), Anouk Darwin Homewood (as Celeste), Peter Hudson (as Father Ridley), Tamar Baruch (as Sister Amara), Natalia Safran (as Sister Chloe), Maxime Elias-Menet (as Jacques), Pascal Aubert (as Father Noiret) and the others lend ordinary support.
Michael Chaves’ direction is average. Marco Beltrami’s background music is fairly nice. Tristan Nyby’s cinematography is appropriate. Stéphane Cressend’s production designing is average. Gregory Plotkin’s editing should’ve been sharper. Dubbing is alright.
On the whole, The Nun II is an average fare.
Released on 7-9-’23 at Metro Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.