The biggest horror franchise in the world is adding another film to its cinematic universe this week. What started as James Wan’s little brainchild has resulted into something bigger than itself. The film was so successful that it kickstarted a horror cinematic universe of spin-offs, sequels and prequels. Except for a few, none of them match up to the high standards set up by The Conjuring. Especially, 2018’s The Nun. The film was highly anticipated as it was supposed to tell the backstory of The Conjuring universe’s greatest evil – Valak. Long story short, it didn’t. The Nun was critically roasted but did extraordinarily well at the box. Against all odds, the sequel to the disastrous The Nun has received positive first reactions from critics. As The Nun 2 opens this weekend, which films from The Conjuring universe do you need to watch? Let’s find out.
1) The Conjuring 2
This is the film that introduced us to the evil nun. I won’t talk about the plot points much as they might result as spoilers. However, all I can say that Valak is the central link in The Conjuring 2’s storyline. The film also reveals a huge connection of Valak to the Warrens and The Conjuring. Definitely check it out.
2) Annabelle: Creation
In all honesty, Annabelle: Creation is about the evil doll and not the evil nun. However, this film becomes key in exploring Valak’s origin because of one particular scene. The scene where Sister Charlotte shows Samuel Mullins a photograph from her time at a Romania-based Abbey, where Valak looms behind Sister Charlotte and her fellow nuns. Even though Valak’s on-screen appearance may be short-lived, the being is considered the overarching antagonist of Annabelle: Creation due to its abilities to master and guide other demons in their pursuits.
Also, in the after-credits sequence of Annabelle: Creation, The Nun is teased as it shows Valak haunting the halls of the Romanian monastery. Apart from that, 2019’s Annabelle Comes Home briefly shows a glimpse of Valak as part of a tangential exorcism plot line.
3) The Conjuring
This is where it all started. You have to watch The Conjuring, not just for The Nun but because it is the best horror film ever (for me). You won’t regret giving time to this film. Talking about the connection of the film to Valak, there is no direct connection. But, because The Conjuring 2 directly ties into the first film to reveal a Warren secret The Conjuring becomes proof of Valak’s eternal existence and deep relation to the Warrens.
A connection that might not have been destroyed despite The Conjuring 2’s ending suggested so. Also, The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It offered no evidence about Valak’s existence but I believe the evil nun will return as she is supposed to be the Thanos of The Conjuring universe.
4) The Nun
This is a no brainer. I mean, before you watch a sequel, you have to watch the first one. Since, The Nun II is a direct sequel to the events of The Nun, the audience needs to be familiar with the storyline and characters to make sense out of the sequel. While the film offers little to none when it comes to scares or a good story but in order to keep a tab on The Conjuring universe check out The Nun before you watch it’s sequel. The Nun also ties with The Conjuring at the end, clearing up the timeline of the universe for us.
The Nun II is scheduled to release on September 8th 2023.
If you have any questions regarding The Nun II, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
