The Nun II
The Nun II is a 2023 American gothic supernatural horror film, serving as a sequel to The Nun (2018) and the eighth installment in The Conjuring Universe. Directed by Michael Chaves, the film sees Sister Irene once again confront the demon Valak, who has reappeared in 1956 France after a series of gruesome murders of priests and nuns across Europe. The narrative follows Sister Irene, accompanied by novice Sister Debra, as they investigate the spreading evil and discover Valak's pursuit of a powerful religious relic: the Eyes of St. Lucy. Their investigation leads them to a boarding school where Maurice (Frenchie) is now working, unknowingly acting as a vessel for the demon, and where a young girl named Sophie and her mother, Kate, become entangled in the demonic threat. This film is intended for a mature audience due to its intense horror, pervasive violence, and disturbing supernatural themes, building upon the established horror elements of the Conjuring franchise.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film features pervasive and graphic violence, central to the horror narrative. Characters are subjected to brutal attacks, often resulting in death, with visible injuries and disturbing descriptions. The intensity of violence escalates from the previous installment, incorporating more direct and visceral encounters with the demonic entity.
Examples include Father Noiret being graphically lifted into the air, set on fire, and burned to death in the opening scene. Another scene depicts a child being held up by the neck and having their neck snapped by the demonic presence. A young girl is impaled through the shoulder by the horn of a goat demon. The headmistress of the boarding school is killed by Valak after encountering a sleepwalking Maurice.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are foundational and central to "The Nun II," as the film revolves entirely around a powerful demon, Valak, and its supernatural influence. This includes demonic possession, the pursuit of sacred relics, and the use of religious rituals to combat evil, depicting a direct confrontation between spiritual good and malevolent occult forces.
The demon Valak, an angel rejected by God, actively possesses Maurice, using him as a vessel to achieve its goals. The primary plot involves Valak seeking the Eyes of St. Lucy, a powerful religious relic, indicating a deep dive into supernatural artifacts and their power. A scene features Sister Irene and Sister Debra praying the Words of Institution, transforming wine into the blood of Christ, to banish the demon from Maurice, directly showing a religious ritual against occult forces. The stained-glass goat window, described by bullies as manifesting the devil, literally transforms into a demonic creature that attacks characters.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film is designed to be highly scary and intense, relying heavily on supernatural horror, jump scares, and a constant atmosphere of dread. It features disturbing imagery, loud sounds, and suspenseful sequences that are central to the viewing experience, often employing psychological tactics to terrorize characters, particularly Sister Irene.
The Nun II contains a high frequency of jump scares, with 28 identified, including 5 major ones, occurring throughout the film. The demon Valak is depicted with terrifying features, including a white face, black-ringed glowing eyes, and a monstrous mouth with sharp, bloody teeth, frequently lunging at characters. A scene involving a magazine stand depicts images transforming into terrifying figures, including the Nun, and is described as a psychologically tormenting attempt by Valak to mock Irene's vows and life choices.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighWhile the film's antagonist is a demon that takes the blasphemous form of a nun and actively attacks Christian figures and symbols, the overarching narrative portrays Christian faith as the primary and ultimately successful weapon against this evil. The demon's anti-Christian actions serve to highlight the power and importance of faith within the context of the horror genre, rather than promoting anti-Christian messages.
The central villain, Valak, is a demon that embodies a corrupted nun, making its very existence a blasphemous attack on Christian imagery and faith. Valak targets priests and nuns, orchestrating gruesome deaths such as burning alive and throat-slitting, specifically attempting to destroy those dedicated to the church. Despite these attacks, the film consistently emphasizes that Christian faith, prayer, and sacred relics are the means by which the demon is fought and ultimately defeated, with Sister Irene's deep faith being her most powerful defense.
Profanity
MediumProfanity in "The Nun II" is infrequent and generally mild, with only a few instances of stronger language noted. The language does not appear to be pervasive or central to character dialogue, occurring sporadically within intense or stressful situations.
Parental review sites report "occasional uses of mild curses and terms of deity". Specific examples cited include "one misuse of Jesus' name, a single use of the word 'bitch' and someone screeching 'bloody h—!'". The Australian Classification Board also notes the use of words like "bitch," "bloody," and "hell".
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumInstances of disrespect and rebellious behavior are present but are not a primary thematic focus. These largely involve minor acts of defiance or bullying among school-aged characters, rather than significant challenges to authority by main protagonists.
Sister Debra is described as a "younger nun, who has a habit of going against the rules of the elders". A group of school bullies target Sophie, locking her in a deconsecrated chapel and taunting her with stories about the devil manifesting through a stained-glass window.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowAfter explicit and thorough searches for LGBTQ+ content, including specific terms like gay, lesbian, transgender, queer representation, and LGBTQ+ characters within "The Nun II" and director Michael Chaves' statements, no confirmed instances of LGBTQ+ or gender identity themes or characters were found to be present in the film's narrative or associated materials. Discussions found online pertain to other media or general societal "wokeness" without specific application to this film's plot or characters.
Searches for "The Nun II" + lgbtq, gay, lesbian, transgender, queer representation, LGBTQ characters, and director Michael Chaves lgbtq yielded no relevant results pertaining to the film's content. [No specific examples from the film to cite due to absence of content].
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe film contains no explicit sexual content or graphic nudity. Any romantic elements are minimal and implied, serving more to establish character relationships and stakes rather than being central to the plot. Reviews generally indicate an absence of sexual or overtly romantic scenes.
Plugged In explicitly states, "None" for sexual and romantic content. While Maurice is noted to have a "budding romance with a teacher there" (Kate), this aspect is presented as a minor emotional injection into the narrative and is not developed into explicit romantic or sexual scenes.
Substance Use
LowSubstance use in the film is minimal and not glorified. It includes brief depictions of adult characters consuming alcohol or smoking cigarettes, consistent with the historical setting, and the use of wine in a communion service. There is no depiction of illegal drug use or substance abuse as a plot point.
Adult characters are seen briefly smoking cigarettes. Wine is consumed, either with meals by adult characters or as part of a communion service, for which an altar boy carries a large jug. These instances are incidental and do not focus on abuse or addiction.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
17+ (Restricted). The film is rated R by the MPAA for "violent content and some terror". Its intense supernatural horror, frequent and graphic depictions of violence, disturbing imagery, and pervasive suspense make it unsuitable for younger viewers.
Additional Notes
The film builds upon The Conjuring Universe, deepening the lore of Valak. The pacing and intensity of scares are noted to be higher than its predecessor, "The Nun," making it a more aggressive horror experience. The visual style leans heavily into gothic aesthetics, contributing to an ominous atmosphere. The film does feature a post-credits scene connecting it to the broader Conjuring Universe with Ed and Lorraine Warren.
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