Tis’ indeed a season of giving, even if you’re a fan of the undead. Halloween enthusiasts have a reason to rejoice for this season. Warner Bros.’ spine-tingling sequel, The Nun II, will make its chilling debut on Max on October 27, days before the ghoulish holiday.
Having initially graced the theaters on September 8, the horrifying sequel, under Michael Chaves’ masterful direction, is a commercial success after raking in a substantial $32.6 million during its opening, helping rejuvenate the box office after a rather tepid August.
Michael Chaves is no stranger to the Conjuring universe, having previously directed entries like The Curse of La Llorona and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Chaves’ association with this universe has been bolstered by the follow-up film’s remarkable performance, pulling in $84 million domestically and a staggering $257 million at the worldwide box office.
This makes The Nun II the fifth-highest grossing film in the Conjuring franchise, eclipsing titles such as Annabelle Comes Home and The Curse of La Llorona. Nonetheless, it still has some catching up to do with Annabelle: Creation and the original The Nun, the latter reigning supreme with earnings of $364 million worldwide.
Delving into the eerie storyline, The Nun II sees the return of Taissa Farmiga as Sister Irene, four years after she faced off against the malevolent Demon Nun and the sinister entity Valak. However, this peace is short-lived as horrors unfurl at a boarding school in France. Sister Irene isn’t alone; joining her are Jonas Bloquet, Storm Reid, Anna Popplewell, and, of course, Bonnie Aarons who once again dons the terrifying guise of the titular Nun.
The saga of Sister Irene’s fierce crusade against the wicked Mother Superior spirit, Valak, which started in The Nun, will be more intense as evil manifests in 1956 France, culminating in a priest’s ominous murder.
The Conjuring universe, through its string of eight harrowing movies, has firmly etched its name as the highest-grossing horror franchise ever, accruing an astonishing $2.2 billion. Such overwhelming success isn’t attributed to the haunting narratives but also to the collaborative genius of filmmakers like Peter Safran and James Wan, both of whom have been pivotal producers for the entire series.
In addition to this, the upcoming plans for the Conjuring universe appear a lot more tantalizing, with a new film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, waiting in the wings. Additionally, whispers of a Conjuring universe Max series are in the air, with discussions pointing towards the involvement of James Wan as an executive producer.
While Michael Chaves has played a pivotal role in propelling the franchise to greater heights, his directorial journey with the Conjuring universe is tinged with mild controversy. His 2019 movie, The Curse of La Llorona, while marketed as part of the universe, is somewhat of an outlier. Chaves himself has clarified that it shouldn’t be seen as a canonical entry, despite certain interwoven Easter eggs.
Furthermore, in the age of streaming, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema guarantees the Conjuring universe is accessible to fans everywhere. Those yearning for more spine-chilling tales can indulge in titles like The Nun, Annabelle, and The Conjuring 2, all available on Max. This reinforces Max’s dedication to catering to the seasonal surge in demand for horror films, and with The Nun II now joining its ranks, the Halloween weekend promises to be a cinematic feast.
In a nutshell, as October 27 approaches, horror aficionados are in for a treat.
If, in case, you’re more of a gamer, Alan Wake 2 is coming out on October 27 as well. Unfortunately, things don’t look good if you’re thinking of playing it on PC. Your best bet is to enjoy it on the PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series X. It’s available on the Xbox Series S, but the developers themselves aren’t fans of the economically-minded console.
