Director: James Wan
By Alex Watson
Sequels can be a troublesome thing but in the case of James Wan he has kept the scares alive in The Conjuring 2. The man who created The Saw franchise has never felt more a home here and through the simplest of devices, he again has his audience on the edge of their seats. Moving the action from Rhode Island to England was a surprise for many, but setting in a creaky old Enfield house works like a charm. Wan despite making big bucks off Fast & Furious 7 is keeping to his roots.
After a horrifying experience in Amityville, Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) and his wife Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) are asked by the catholic church to investigate a paranormal incident in Enfield, England. The Hodgson family led by mother Peggy (Frances O'Connor) are plagued by a vengeful spirit calling itself Bill Wilkins. In particular, it seems to have designs on daughter Janet and it appears the couple is dealing with an unspeakable evil.
Many fans assumed The Conjuring 2 would deal with the events of Amityville. This is where the picture starts in a frightening blaze of glory where Lorraine is dragged into a terrifying vision where she only just survives. Over in blighty, the Hodgson family is one that is dodged by an absentee father and as a unit, they are creaking under the pressure. The early scenes with them are like any family you grew up next door to and Wan gives this family a likeable albeit bickering likeability. Across the pond, Ed and Lorraine are dealing with sceptics trying to debunk their experiences along with their own supernatural problem in the face of malevolent spirit The Nun. This creature is by far the scariest thing you will see in 2016 and although its influence is limited, it is felt each time it appears.
The Hodgson's ordinary terraced house is an unlikely source of scares, but it provides them by the bucket load. Every loud bang that's heard or creek that sounds are guaranteed jumps. Wan is a master at finding horror in the simplest of surroundings and here each time you think the scary moment has come, you are fooled time and again. Each loud bang or creek in the floor boards has our hearts racing. Wan is also very effective with camera work and is able to get maximum scares out of using very little. One scene sees him let a conversation with Ed and the demon play out in one shot- the blurred visuals behind are more unsettling than seeing the being up close. Another sees Janet dealing with a malfunctioning TV, only for something to literally jump out of nowhere. The moment that Ed and Lorraine arrive in Enfield, things get a little more intense.
Although this is a great ride, The Conjuring 2 does lose steam towards the finish with some unnecessary diversions. The inclusion of fellow paranormal investigators Franke Potente and Simon McBurney adds little to processings. Also, the final showdown between people and demons goes get a little on the cliched side- such as Lorraine remember a key bit of info at the last second. Wan gives the story enough rope for us to ignore any wrongfooting and just go with it. Many have assumed that you couldn't possibly get the same experience the second time around, but James Wan is in a class of his own in this genre and not only parallels the first movie but makes it a fresher sequel. When you get home I guarantee each bump in the night will have you sleeping lightly.
You forget just how good Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are together in the franchise. Ed and Lorraine are a couple who are devoted to each other and will willingly walk into danger. Wilson is an underrated talent in Hollywood and has proven a solid actor in horror movies. As Ed, he is the thinking man behind the operation and shows no fear when interrogation spirits who could do harm. Farmiga brilliantly channels Lorraine fears of the traumatic vision she suffered but gives her a hard reserve where she strives to protect anyone from harm. I can only hope this pair is included in any eventual sequels that transpire in this franchise because you cannot imagine anyone else doing it.
The Conjuring 2 is the strongest horror offering the summer can provide and just goes to show why James Wan should be the go to man for any studio for horror. Though this picture will have you looking at nuns differently for quite some time after.
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