‘The Conjuring’ series questions answered after ‘The Nun’ release

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‘The Nun’ is chronologically the first movie in the series.

You thought you saw the last of her in “The Conjuring 2.”

In 1952 Romania, two nuns tremble with fear as they face the presence of an unknown evil, desperately trying to get away from it. One nun, Sister Victoria, manages to escape by locking herself into a room and opening the bedroom window, seeing out onto the front steps of the Monastery. The door is forced open and no one appears to be behind it, but the aura of the theatre is tense as the audience closely watches. Soon, without having to visually see it, you know it is approaching. Sister Victoria steps out onto the edge of the window and jumps, hanging herself.

After a French-Canadian farmer named Frenchie (Jonas Bloquet) finds Sister Victoria, the Vatican sends out Father Burke (Demian Bichir) to investigate Sister Victoria’s death with the help of novitiate Sister Irene(Taissa Farmiga). Together, they undertake what seems to be quick inquiry; however, what they find is far more sinister.

Due to the success of “The Conjuring” franchise, many fans attended the premiere, earning “The Nun” nearly $54 million opening weekend and gross nearly $65 million as of Sept. 12. Though its production filmed after the other movies in the franchise, it actually takes place before both “Conjurings” and even both “Annabelles.”

Though “The Nun” produced after “The Conjuring” series, it is chronologically the first movie of the series.

“The Conjuring” series contains not only both “Conjurings” directed by James Wan but also both “Annabelle” films, a character seen in “The Conjuring.” “The Conjurings” are both based on the real-life cases of paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, which presents the first in The Conjuring Universe: “The Conjuring.”

“The Conjuring” (2013) focuses on Ed and Lorraine’s 1971 case on the Perron family and their haunted farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island. “The Conjuring 2” (2016), a sequel to “The Conjuring,” focuses on a 1977 case that is known as the “Enfield Poltergeist.” Taken place in Brimsdown, Enfield, England, Ed and Lorraine help the Hodgson family and the possession Peggy Hodgson’s daughter, Janet. Through The Conjuring movies, the audience is introduced to a possessed doll that is in the possession of Ed and Lorraine Warren, which brings the prequel of the first Conjuring: “Annabelle” (2014), and later its prequel “Annabelle: Creation” (2017). However, to avoid confusion of how it all ties together, the correct order to watch The Conjuring Series is: “The Nun,” “Annabelle: Creation,” “Annabelle,” “The Conjuring” and finally, “The Conjuring 2.”

Although “The Nun” produces a multitude of jumpscares, ones that got to quite a few members of the audience, including myself, was a small missing piece of literal horror that did not seem to compare to movies in The Conjuring Universe.

Corin Hardy, director of “The Nun,” is perhaps the reason why the film seemed far different than what the audience has seen. Though James Wan did collaborate with Hardy, the element of horror seemed off for some viewers compared to the Conjuring films.

What was surprising in the film was Valak’s origin story. Throughout “The Conjuring 2,” the audience gets no insight as to how Valak first came into the earth. In “The Nun,” we learn this, and without giving any spoilers, it is certainly fascinating as it ties into as far back as the World War II 1944 bombings in Romania.

The end of the film is when Hardy truly shocks the crowd. Though fans of the franchise are familiar with Valak’s presence in “The Conjuring 2,” Hardy shows the chilling connection with Valak and Ed and Lorraine Warren since before the case seen in “The Conjuring.”

If you’re interested in The Conjuring Universe and want to see how Valak ties into the series, it is definitely a must see. Not only will you learn more understanding of Valak and her role in the movie, but also how she fits into the overall franchise.