As if nuns weren’t scary enough, The Nun has jumped onto our movie screen as a lead character. However, it is a relief to see this since it’s been creeping moviegoers out since The Conjuring world started. The remarkable thing is that it wasn’t really supposed to be a thing at all.
Here is how I envision it: You want to make a scary movie, so you want to set a mood and having a painting of a creepy nun fits the bill. After the first Conjuring, maybe some people made a reference to it. Then the next movie, they add a few more nun items and all of a sudden, everyone is wondering what’s up with the nun? No director or writer would just let that go, when so many people are talking about it. If only actors could be so lucky as the nun.
I felt apprehension as the movie progressed. My fear was that the movie wouldn’t live up to the hype. After all, we had to wait a while to get to The Nun. I like all kinds of horror movies and am somewhat immune to the movies that I call “gotcha.” They do tricks to get you to have a sudden scare. It’s fun, but doesn’t really stay with you. So, I was pleasantly surprised that the setting of this movie was beautifully creepy. It did a lot to set the mood. There were other tricks, of course. No nun would be without a cross and a habit. I thought the ratio of nuns to victims was just right.
I never did actually feel the dread and scariness I wanted. So, I’m a little frustrated, but I think it is my own fault. After all, if I could suspend belief, I would have enjoyed it more. Having said that, this is good news for you. If you can get into the movie, I think you will see it differently that I did. So, if I were to tell you details of the movie, I might ruin it for you.
Instead, I will mention that the heroine of the movie may look and sound familiar. She is the younger sister of Vera Farmiga, who did a great job. Hopefully, we will get to see her in a sequel or another unrelated movie.
Lastly, what do you think makes a scary movie? Are we too jaded and used to being scared, so that it is nearly impossible to be scared by a horror movie? I hope not.
I’m going to leave you with a short synopsis of this movie. The Vatican sends a damaged priest and a virginal almost-nun to investigate a nun who committed suicide. A French-Canadian farmer helps them solve the mystery. To paraphrase Indiana Jones, “Why did it have to be nuns?”
If this is the way you get scared or if you just want to see your friends jump in their seats, go see this movie. If you loved The Conjuring world, go see it to get those nun questions answered. I give it 6.5 skulls out of five for the creepy nuns and the scenery.