The Conjuring is in my top five horror films of all time, so I was filled with both excitement and trepidation when the sequel arrived in cinemas.
The Conjuring 2
So often, sequels can fall flat and you're left wondering why did the director bother? This movie is one of those rare cases like Terminator 2 and Aliens where the follow up is just as good as the first.
The second instalment features Ed and Lorraine Warren once again but this time they travel to England to help a mother with four children who are plagued by an insidious spirit.
Based on true events- James Wan gives the classic Enfield case an upgrade. This project came not long after the TV adaptation; The Enfield Haunting- but Wan applies his unique take and makes it his own.
Although the film definitely cranks it up a notch or two when comparing it to the first, with more special effects and an overall faster pace - it still contains all the understated stuff that made the first so creepy.
The new demon is nightmare worthy and made me leave the light on when I went to bed after watching the movie. Whether you like Wan's films or not- his demons always stay with you long after the credits roll.
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson have great on screen chemistry once again as the religious paranormal investigators. In fact, I will go so far as to say that they are one of the most believable on screen couples I've watched in a movie- even if it did get a bit cheesy between them at the end.
Frances O'Connor, Madison Wolfe, Lauren Esposito, Benjamin Haigh and Patrick McAuley were a very convincing as a family in the midst of the inexplicable events. The children were particularly strong as they were in the first- the casting was nothing short of spot on.
There seems to have been a spate of 'scary' films of late- all of which have been a predictable let down with weak actors. So all I can say as a huge fan of the genre- is thank-you for James Wan.
He breathes a new life into the horror arena- leaving old tropes behind and coming up with new ways to scare his audience.
It's about time we had a horror movie that does what it's supposed to and this movie ticks all the boxes for me. Perfect Halloween viewing!
Tagged in Halloween Patrick Wilson Vera Farmiga James Wan