Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The ninth installment inThe ConjuringUniverse,The Nun II, was released on July 23, 2025. The film directed by Michael Chaves has received mixed reviews from critics but its box office performance is commendable, collecting $32 million in its opening weekend. The direct sequel to the 2018 movie,The Nun, saw the return of actors Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, and Bonnie Aarons.
The film picks up from its prequel as Sister Irene, played by Farmiga, has to once again encounter the evil nun Valak, played by Aarons. The film took a gorier approach than its predecessors and the director has a reason for it.
Also Read:It was always part of the ultimate goal”: Suspicions About The Nun 2’s Sister Irene and Conjuring’s Lorraine Warren Might Be Right
Michael Chaves Was Forced To Include Gorier Scenes InThe Nun II
Valak, the Demon Nun, was first introduced inThe Conjuring 2, and the character returned to scare the audience inThe NunandThe Nun II. The first installment inThe ConjuringUniverse was marketed as a non-gory supernatural horror movie. However, as the franchise progressed, the movies returned to the gore element. According to Michael Chaves, the evolving nature of audience preferences was key to making the movie.
Chaves revealed that he had made a supernatural movie that was gorier than the usual Conjuring style. However, after a test screening, the audience felt that the violence was not sufficient in the movie. As per the audience’s demand, the director added more gory footage to the movie. Chaves toldEW:
“There was already a good degree of violence and gore in the movie, but people wanted more of it. So, we did a little bit of additional photography and we ramped that up. It just goes to show how audiences are always changing, evolving. Even in the earliest version, it was more [violent] than what was in your traditional Conjuring movie.”
The wider audience also seemed to agree with the test audience, as the R-rated movie was well-received in the theatres. The movie is the latest among the list of horror movies that have returned to the slasher/gore category after a decline in the 2000s.
Also Read:The Nun 2: Does The Conjuring Spin-Off Have a Post-Credits Scene?
The Gore Element Does MakeThe Nun IIScarier Than Its Predecessors
The critical consensus for the movie onRotten Tomatoessuggests thatThe Nun IIwas“scarier than its predecessors”. Several other reviewers also cited the violent mayhem as a positive factor for the movie. Though the writing and some of the regular horror movie stereotypes irked the critics, the gore seemed to have worked for them too.
Earlier,The Nunsequel saw a change in director and writer, after Michael Chaves and Akela Cooper replaced Corin Hardy and Gary Dauberman in their respective roles. Chaves was associated with the franchise since directing the critically panned yet successfulThe Curse of La Lloronaand the third sequel toThe Conjuring.
Also Read:The Nun 2 Needs To Make 2.5X its Reported Budget to Even Become a Hit – How Much Did the Vera Farmiga Franchise Spinoff Actually Cost?
Chaves has also hinted at the possibility of further Nun movies. The supposed sequels will most probably explore the ‘50s to ‘60s timeline in the universe. Fans ofThe Conjuringuniverse can catchThe Nun II, now playing in theaters.
Hashim Asraff
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3017
Hashim Asraff is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,800 articles published on celebrity culture, comic book movies, and major TV franchises. With a background in Sociology and a keen interest in pop culture, Hashim brings a unique lens to breaking news stories, character deep-dives, film rankings, and fan-driven perspectives.His coverage often includes the MCU, DCU, hit network shows, and celebrity profiles, giving readers a rich blend of entertainment and analysis. A longtime fan of crime and investigative series, Hashim has watched thousands of episodes of NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Blue Bloods, and The RookieA passionate storyteller and wordsmith, Hashim has also worked as a ghostwriter and managed multiple social media handles. He brought his writing expertise to FandomWire to also pursue his lifelong love for cinema and television.
