On September 6th, 2018, The Nun, a spin-off of 2016’s The Conjuring 2, hit theaters all across the United States. It was a highly anticipated movie from the moment the trailer was released and so, naturally, once it was available, my friends and I were off to go and see it in a luxury theater late on a Wednesday night. Random, I know.

I should start off by saying I am not normally a big scary-movie-person. I like haunted houses and playing ghost in the graveyard, but that’s about it. However, over the past year, I have found myself in the movie theater, glued to my seat, completely petrified on multiple occasions. This is mainly the doing of my friends, who enjoy dragging me along to these things solely because they are rather amused by my fear. Shout-out to you guys.

The Nun is set in 1952 Romania, and most of the movie takes place in a convent, haunted by a powerful demon that takes the form of a possessed nun. The Vatican receives word of this situation and sends Father Burke, along with Sister Irene, a young, soon-to-be-nun, to investigate the convent. Along the way, they recruit a young local named Frenchie to guide them. The three then make their way to the convent, unaware that they will be risking their lives, let alone their very souls.

graphic by D. Crickets

So maybe to someone else, I might seem like a wimp, but The Nun, to me, was terrifying. However, I know it’s not quite that simple. It depends on your definition of scary. Some people might dislike the gore or the creepy faces, but for me, the worst part is the jump scares. And let me tell you, they are everywhere in The Nun. I was on edge throughout the entire film, and at each jump scare I would either have a complete spasm or jump straight up into the air.

Another noticeable thing about this movie: It is so loud! Unbelievably so, actually. One of my friends had warned me about this beforehand, but I couldn’t quite fathom how much she meant it until I was sitting, wide-eyed in those reclining chairs myself.

*The next paragraph contains spoilers*

As far as my opinion on the plot goes, I did find it interesting. The storyline came full circle in the end, and transitioned smoothly into The Conjuring. I was, however, not happy at the fate of some of the characters. When first introduced to the character, Frenchie, it seemed only natural that he would end up with the young, “nun-in-training” main character. She would have decided not to become a nun and be with him instead. Or so the movie had the viewer thinking from all the flirting and subtle hints. But this is not the case. In fact, not only does Irene follow through and become a nun, but Frenchie becomes possessed! I understand this isn’t a romance, but I wasn’t so much disappointed as I was confused. Irene becoming a nun seemed so sudden. It was a major plot twist, I’ll give the writers that, but is it a good one? I’m still trying to decide.

Overall, the movie left me with mixed feelings. I wonder if my enjoyment of it has been influenced solely by experiencing it with my friends, snuggled up in our luxury heated recliners with blankets and popcorn. It’s a good memory, but there’s one thing I can say for certain: The Nun is the kind of movie you only see once.