Why Valak and the Brand “The Nun” Stand Out in the Horror Genre

The character Valak first appeared in the film The Conjuring 2 as a painting that Ed Warren (played by Patrick Wilson) hung in his art room. However, when Lorraine Warren, the medium played by Vera Farmiga, enters the room and sees this painting, the iconic jump scare moment became one of the most memorable scenes in the Conjuring universe.

Ultimately, this haunting spirit became the “key” to solving the central mystery of the film. The moment when Lorraine Warren calls out the name “Valak” reveals the identity of the powerful demon haunting the family, leaving both Warner Bros. and audiences recognizing that the character had the potential to become a significant horror icon, much like the Annabelle doll. Valak’s emergence created a wave of discussion on social media when The Conjuring 2 was released, and it is rare to see a character make such an impactful debut with limited backstory.

Just three years after the success of The Conjuring 2, the first standalone film featuring Valak, titled The Nun, officially debuted. The film’s “less is more” approach to Valak’s first appearance allowed filmmakers a lot of creative space to develop a compelling character arc. This film takes the audience back to the past, delving into the origins and reign of the demon Valak before it entered the Warren family’s art room.

If The Conjuring revolves around haunted mysteries, Annabelle focuses on cursed objects, then The Nun establishes its own horror narrative by exploring terrifying stories connected to monastic life. The hidden spaces yet to be discovered create a fresh sense of fear, stimulating the audience’s imagination to the fullest. The scenes revolving around nuns and cloistered rooms in convents serve as excellent inspiration not just for filmmakers but for the audience as well. By choosing to go in a different direction, The Nun sets itself apart with distinct, powerful markers while escaping the shadows of a typical spin-off film.

The fame of The Conjuring 2 revolves around the “demonic nun” while the creative marketing efforts surrounding Valak by Warner Bros. Pictures helped The Nun quickly become a box office hit when the film was released. Even when it left theaters, the demon Valak grossed over $356 million, a staggering figure compared to the average budget of around $22 million. The net profit was astonishingly high, reaching $155 million, making The Nun one of the most profitable films in the Conjuring universe.

Returning in the Upcoming Film with Anticipated Highlights

After the success of the first film, the demon Valak will officially return in the upcoming film The Nun II, set to be released on September 8 this year.

This new installment will still take place in a convent, this time in France during the 1950s. Sister Irene, played by the talented Taissa Farmiga (younger sister of Vera Farmiga, who plays Lorraine Warren in the Conjuring series), will reprise her role in the new film, once again confronting the evil spirit Valak.

The Nun II will continue to highlight the strong elements of the first film, incorporating hidden rituals but also showcasing the chilling experiences of nuns within the convent. In the trailer released by Warner Bros., the atmosphere remains dark and eerie, but the film’s setting in the Conjuring universe adds an extra layer of suspense for the audience.

Alongside the aesthetics, the trademark jump scares of Valak are highlighted in the trailer, coupled with impressive cinematography that brings an enticing visual feast to the audience. The Nun can be seen as one of the few horror films that is particularly well-crafted in terms of visual aesthetics, giving audiences a truly immersive experience in theaters.

This iconic horror symbol has entered popular culture. However, the character’s journey alongside various film genres has become an intriguing topic for audiences to explore the hidden horrors. Each specific scene, along with the chilling story arcs that are consistently woven throughout the film, reveals the suspenseful atmosphere in The Nun II, similar to a haunting melody that lingers.

Director Michael Chaves shared: “There’s a line in the film: ‘Evil is eternal.’ I really like the idea that it always exists in different forms. I think there are still many stories about the demon Valak to be told.” Thus, audiences can fully anticipate that Valak’s story will continue to be developed further, grander and more spectacular on the big screen.

THE NUN II – Vietnamese Title: ÁC QUỴ MA SƠ II – Premiere in theaters on September 8.