IR Film Review: THE NUN II [Warner Bros]

The context of "The Nun II" has to do with progression of character versus context of the journey. After the events of the first film, the ideas of faith versus intent would seem to be a solid approach for the sequel. While this film does it admirably on certain levels including via locations, visual style and efficient storytelling (for the most part), it does have some issues. While Taissa Farmiga is fantastic as Irene (despite some holes in her story), the counter balance that was Damien Bechir did create an inherent balance with a certain weight and gravity. Storm Reid takes on this role per se in this film as a new would-be nun who got into the game for the wrong reasons. As both an actor and the character, she just takes one out of the filmalmost completely. The character seems mostly there to add obvious plot devices or lines (i.e. somebody help her, let's get out of here, what's that) instead of natural motivated tendencies. While the background of the character has definite potential, Reid just doesn't bring the weight to the game either.

It is understandable that Irene does need someone else there with her but it could have been better served in another way (or even in visions that aren't really there --- like the nun from the first film). Famiga has the weight of the role down (and she understands that a look says 1000 different things). Some of the imagery in the film including in the alleys and old schools in France really create a feeling. One scene in an alleyway with the pages on magazines flipping is quite iconic in many ways and quite riveting because so much is said with nothing. The rest of the actors including a mother/daughter at the boarding school and Frenchie (Jonas Bloquet -- from the first film) definitely work (especially the mother/daughter -- which offers the life that Irene won't or can't allow herself to think about). Frenchie though seems too easily written in (though it makes story sense) as far as his eventual revolution.

With Irene also there is some throwaway backstory from the beginning act of the film, which talks about certain repercussions in her recovery after the events of the first film that really have bearing and should have been explored. These are never addressed and of course would make a difference in how she acts (but alas those points are incomplete). It has one impact on a scene with a bishop but not enough. The same with Frenchie. Because of some of the actions he undertakes (because the demon is his puppetmaster and even in the actions he doesn't control), there is a not a common sense of turning away from him because of the danger he presents. Everyone seems to not take that fully into effect. There is also the tension between him and Irene which of course is on purpose and a leftover from the first film but is played of course purely platonic (at least on her side) here.

Storm Reid's character Debra also walks into the face of this danger with a) no idea what she is getting into and not scared and b) without any retribution for just deserting the convent. The plot progression is based on her finding her faith but there is not really a whole lot of depth there. She just throws herself at a demon at one point without thinking about it. It just doesn't track and is not believable, especially in the emotive aspect of her acting (which is just not here in this film). The scares (like "The Exorcist") work well...and there is less gore per se it seems than the previous film. The Nun herself does the job admirably but it seems rather easily rounded up (without again adequate explanation as it pertains to Irene). For the most part, "The Nun II" does work but because of some lazy writing and one miscast/miswritten character, it doesn't quite live up to its predecessor. B-

By Tim Wassberg