James Wan’s The Conjuring film franchise in its second installment seems pretty good when you anticipate horror movies with typical jump-scares. Taking the huge success of the 2013 released film, the sequel introduces you to some new characters in a familiar haunted house story but with a much more elaborate and loud setting. The key elements of this film have been its simplistic storyline, gloomy cinematography, and those well-executed frightening minutes.
“The Conjuring 2” follows real-life demonologist couple Ed and Lorraine Warren with yet another real case from their files on a paranormal investigation. Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise their roles as Lorraine and Ed Warren who in one of their most terrifying encounters travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by a demonic presence.
The first film The Conjuring (2013) is certainly considered one of the finest horror movies made in the last decade. Going with the success of the first one Conjuring 2 may look a bit more accustomed but James Wan relies on another true story based on the so-called Enfield Poltergeist story from the late-1970s, but this time it comes with double ghost and double scare (spoiler).
I had already watched the trailer however I had no prior idea of the story. This way it was more interesting for me. If I must give my view straightway in comparison to the first film, I must say that overall, the first film was indeed good at the same time – the second half of The Conjuring 2 is a little better with much action in the end.
The film has used a few innovative ideas such as the cross turning upside down in the presence of an evil spirit (although an upside-down cross doesn’t represent devil or evil) that make it more interesting. The first half is funnier than scarier, the film however takes a leap in the second half.
The storyline doesn’t exactly take the movie forward from the first film as at the end of The Conjuring, Ed tells Lorraine that they had a new case on Rhode Island. He even referred to Amityville Horror, but that incident has already been captured in a different movie. So, you might have thought that The Conjuring 2 will be remade but no; this is an altogether new story. In fact, the story takes place after the Amityville Horror case.
Without revealing much of the story, I must share that the film has been very well acted by the lead pair, as well as Madison Wolfe who plays 11-year-old Janet constantly possessed by a spirit named Bill Wilkins. Her performance is very creepy and adds value to the whole supernatural atmosphere.
In addition, the inclusion of jump-scare moments seems justified along with the loud noise that has been James Wan’s trademark style. If there is anything I might think otherwise is probably the flesh and blood presentation of a ghostly entity. This somehow nullifies their supernatural nature.
Nevertheless, such things don’t take away the fact that The Conjuring 2 is much more chilling than The Conjuring. I would certainly suggest every horror movie buff watch this in the theatre where you can catch the actual cinematic experience.
Watch “The Conjuring 2” Trailer
Where to watch The Conjuring 2 (2016)
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