Horror’s answer to Where’s Wally is back in The Nun II

Although I’ve had something of a love/ hate relationship with the horror genre over the years, one thing that’s always remained consistent is that horror based on Catholic iconography and catechism is like catnip to me, so it’s little wonder that THE NUN quickly became my favourite spin-off of the 21st century’s second most successful cinematic universe and THE NUN II does nothing to make my doubt that faith.

Following on from the events at Saint Cartha’s monastery, Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) lives a low profile life of devotion at an Italian convent. But when the church is rocked by a series of brutal supernatural incidents that, when connected, chart a course across Europe originating in Romania, Sister Irene (and stowaway novice Sister Debra (Storm Reid)) are tasked with tracking down the source of the problem, a trail which leads them to a rundown private boarding school in rural France where a familiar face is working as a groundskeeper/ handyman: Maurice (Jonas Bloquet).

Director Michael Chaves imbues THE NUN II with a wonderfully creepy atmosphere, balancing the ecumenical detective story with the increasingly sinister goings-on at the boarding school. He and the cast wring the maximum amount of frightening fun out of the demon Valak’s characteristic blend of “Where’s Wally” and DOCTOR WHO‘s Weeping Angels.

Where the first film had a pleasantly goofy, almost SCOOBY DOO-esque undertone, this sequel plays things much straighter and darker and there are some remarkably effective horror sequences, complementing the terrific production values and good performances.

On the strength of this and THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT, the Conjuring Universe is far from running out of steam and I hope we can look forward to further adventures with Sister Irene and/ or The Warrens for many years to come. ANNABELLE can get in the bin, though.