This time of year seems to be a good one for the horror genre, and our first installment is the latest entry in the ever-growing Conjuring universe. Overall the Conjuring franchise as well as it's associated spinoffs like the Annabelle films have been praised by both horror fans and many film critics. How does The Nun compare to those that came before? Generally, we here at CinemaBlend seem to feel that while The Nun is unlikely to become a new horror classic, it's a movie that is certainly a worthy entry in this franchise, with plenty for horror movie fans to enjoy. Mike Reyes wrote our official review for the movie, and he felt that while the movie wasn't quite up to previous Conjuring standards, it was still a movie worth recommending.
The Nun isn't the full meal one would expect from films associated with The Conjuring, but it's a rather appetizing continuation of the trend that's seen major studios learning to do horror right again. Should you be the type that's looking for an entry point into The Conjuring universe, or just a horror offering to kick off the Halloween season right, The Nun shall pass.
CinemaBlend Events Editor Eric Eisenberg also felt The Nun was a lesser Conjuring film, but he points out that the movie has a pair of solid lead performances, and was also worth checking out because the film was different enough from the previous films in this series, that it had unique elements worthy of note.
As a part of the Conjuring Universe, The Nun has its own special flair, taking audiences away from the comfortable suburban settings we've seen and replacing them with a special and creepy atmosphere. It's not as scary or strong as either of the two Conjurings or Annabelle: Creation, but it also has some solid frights and great work from its two leads, Demian Bichir and Taissa Farmiga.
When it comes down to the nuts and bolts of the horror genre, The Nun has you covered. CB Project Manager Cody Beck points out that the movie has more than its share of jump scare moments, in fact, there's so much that it's almost too much.
Every single time you think they're setting you up for a jump scare, you're wrong- they're setting you up for at least 2 or 3. The characters in The Nun ensure that the audience never gets lost, because they literally explain plot devices out-loud throughout. It's pretty much what you would expect from a movie in the Conjuring Universe, but more over the top. Where The Conjuring built itself on playing with your fear of the unknown, The Nun has so much in-your-face horror that you almost become numb to it by the end. Still spooky, still fun. 3/5 habits.
Finally, our own Braden Roberts points out the potentially counter-intuitive fact that, in addition to being scary, The Nun is actually quite funny. Sometimes even intentionally so.
Jumpscares and jump cuts are at the heart of The Nun. If you can get past jerky transitions and one-dimensional horror, The Nun rewards you with a few chuckles. Watching this merry trio bumble through a haunted abbey while dropping one-liners is a fun kick-off to Halloween season.
If you're a serious horror fan or one of The Conjuring universe as a whole, there's probably enough in The Nun to keep you engaged. However, if you don't already consider yourself a horror movie fan, it doesn't look like this movie will be much of an exception.
