The Nun II (2023)

Last updated:
June 1, 2025

The Nun II is the eighth installment in The Conjuring Universe, and a direct sequel to The Nun (2018). Directed by Michael Chaves, who also helmed The Curse of La Llorona and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, the film dives deeper into the mythology of Valak, the demonic nun first introduced in The Conjuring 2. Set in 1956 France, it continues the chilling journey of Sister Irene, uncovering the origins and intentions of one of the most terrifying entities in the franchise.

Detailed Summary

The Opening: A New Wave of Terror

The film opens in Tarascon, France, where a priest is brutally killed inside a church by an unseen evil force—Valak. This sets the tone for the demonic rampage that is spreading across Europe. The Vatican takes notice, realizing that a series of inexplicable deaths, often involving holy men, are linked.

Sister Irene Is Called Again

Now living in a convent in Italy, Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) is asked by the Vatican to investigate the mysterious deaths. She is reluctant at first but eventually agrees, seeing signs that suggest Valak has returned. Irene is joined by Sister Debra (Storm Reid), a skeptical young novitiate, creating a compelling dynamic between faith and doubt.

Maurice Returns—But He’s Not Alone

Meanwhile, Maurice “Frenchie” (Jonas Bloquet), the friendly delivery man from the first film, is now working at a boarding school for girls in France. Unbeknownst to him, he’s become a vessel for Valak. His behavior begins to change—he experiences blackouts and displays unnatural strength. The audience slowly realizes Valak is using Maurice to get closer to a sacred relic hidden in the school.

The Relic of St. Lucy and the Rise of Evil

As the story unfolds, Sister Irene discovers that Valak is seeking the relic of St. Lucy, a martyr whose eyes were said to allow her to see the truth and the divine. This relic is hidden in the school where Maurice works. Valak believes that possessing it will grant unholy power to become even more potent.

The film ramps up its supernatural sequences as Valak begins to manifest physically, unleashing hellish visions on students and staff. Irene’s visions lead her to a shocking realization—she is a descendant of St. Lucy, and the power to defeat Valak lies within her bloodline.

Movie Ending

In the climactic finale, Valak fully possesses Maurice, using him to retrieve the relic. Sister Irene and Sister Debra confront Valak in the chapel beneath the school, where ancient frescoes and holy symbols begin to illuminate with Irene’s presence. During a fierce spiritual battle, Irene is nearly killed, but in a last act of faith, Sister Debra uses Irene’s blood to ignite the relic. The resulting explosion of holy light expels Valak from Maurice’s body.

Maurice, freed but emotionally scarred, is left unaware of much of what happened. Irene, though victorious, realizes Valak is not gone for good. In a final ominous moment, we hear Valak’s growl faintly in the background, hinting at future appearances.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes. The mid-credits scene features Lorraine and Ed Warren (Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson), connecting the events of The Nun II to The Conjuring timeline. Father Gordon calls the Warrens to investigate a new case, tying in Maurice’s lingering possession and hinting at a future confrontation. This not only sets up a potential Conjuring 4 but strengthens the narrative bridge between The Nun series and the main Conjuring storyline.

Type of Movie

The Nun II is a supernatural horror film with strong elements of religious horror, mystery, and franchise-building lore. It balances psychological tension, gothic atmosphere, and jump-scares to appeal to fans of traditional and modern horror alike.

Cast

Taissa Farmiga as Sister Irene
Jonas Bloquet as Maurice “Frenchie” Theriault
Storm Reid as Sister Debra
Anna Popplewell as Kate
Katelyn Rose Downey as Sophie
Bonnie Aarons as Valak / The Demon Nun

Film Music and Composer

The eerie, haunting score is composed by Marco Beltrami, known for his work in the Scream franchise and A Quiet Place. The soundtrack uses choral arrangements, deep percussion, and subtle Gregorian chant motifs to emphasize the religious dread throughout the movie.

Filming Locations

The Nun II was shot in France and Romania, using centuries-old monasteries and real cathedrals to add a sense of realism and historical weight. The boarding school scenes were filmed in actual convent buildings, giving an authentically claustrophobic feel. Romania continues to serve as a hauntingly effective backdrop, reinforcing the gothic tone and adding depth to the Conjuring Universe’s aesthetic.

Awards and Nominations

As of now, The Nun II hasn’t garnered major award nominations, but it has been recognized for:

Best Horror Poster (FrightFest Awards)
Nominations for Best Horror Trailer and Best Sound Design in various online film marketing circles.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Director Michael Chaves said the film was inspired by The Exorcist III and The Omen.
Bonnie Aarons wore a prosthetic mask for most Valak scenes to achieve the inhuman, otherworldly look.
The production reused real religious artifacts for set dressing, enhancing authenticity.
Taissa Farmiga, sister of Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren), was cast not just for the family resemblance but due to her grounded performance in horror.
The film was designed to balance slow-burn tension with more classic jump scares to satisfy longtime Conjuring fans.

Inspirations and References

Based on an original story by James Wan and Gary Dauberman, The Nun II continues the mythology of Valak as inspired by demonological folklore.
The character of Valak, although altered for cinematic effect, is a real entity from the 17th-century grimoire “The Lesser Key of Solomon.”
The boarding school setting and religious relic theme take cues from classic Hammer horror films and gothic novels.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Several deleted scenes included more backstory for Sister Debra, including a flashback to her troubled past and loss of faith. There was also an extended possession scene that was trimmed due to pacing concerns. No alternate endings were publicly revealed, but early drafts considered killing off Maurice to permanently end Valak’s link to the human world—ultimately scrapped in favor of maintaining franchise potential.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A novelization of The Nun II has not been released as of 2025, but the events are heavily integrated into The Conjuring Universe novels and comics, which explore Valak’s origins in more detail. The film stays faithful to the tone and continuity of the universe but streamlines complex lore for a more cinematic experience.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The terrifying bell tower scene where Maurice begins to lose control.
Irene’s visions of St. Lucy guiding her through the convent’s underground catacombs.
The final exorcism scene with Sister Debra activating the relic using Irene’s blood.
Valak stalking a group of schoolgirls in the dark hallway, using flickering lights.

Iconic Quotes

Sister Irene: “Faith isn’t something you see. It’s something you feel—even when you’re afraid.”
Valak (telepathically): “There is no light that can cast me out.”
Sister Debra: “You believe enough for the both of us.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

A chalkboard in the classroom references Father Burke, the priest from the first Nun film.
Valak’s sigil is visible in Maurice’s drawings long before anyone suspects him.
A rosary seen in Irene’s possession was also used by Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring 2, suggesting a spiritual inheritance.
The vineyard where Maurice works briefly references the Perron family, linking to The Conjuring.

Trivia

Bonnie Aarons has portrayed Valak in four films, making her one of the most recurring demons in horror history.
Taissa Farmiga filmed her major scenes in just over 30 days due to scheduling conflicts.
The film contains over 1,200 visual effects shots, most used to subtly enhance atmosphere rather than rely on CGI monsters.
A viral marketing campaign involved a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” Valak cameo in a livestreamed video ad, which scared thousands online.

Why Watch?

If you’re a fan of religious horror, supernatural entities, and the slow unraveling of dark mysteries, The Nun II delivers. It adds layers to The Conjuring Universe while still functioning as a standalone horror experience. With gothic visuals, a strong female lead, and demonic lore that feels ancient and menacing, this film is both creepy and compelling.