The Nun
A Vatican investigation at a cursed Romanian abbey pits a troubled priest and a novice nun against Valak, a demonic force that turns religious faith into a weapon.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- foreboding
- oppressive
- eerie
- halloween night
- late night horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually striking and atmospherically gothic but undermined by cliched storytelling, heavy exposition, weak suspense, and overreliance on jump scares.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Vatican sends Father Burke and Sister Irene to investigate an abbey where a demonic nun threatens the order and the surrounding community.
The cloistered Romanian abbey becomes a maze-like battleground of crypts, corridors, chambers, and hidden religious secrets.
Father Burke’s haunted past and Sister Irene’s impending vows place personal faith at the center of the investigation.
The film centers Valak, the demonic nun previously introduced in The Conjuring 2, and develops the entity’s connection to the abbey.
Films like The Nun, and why
The Conjuring 2
Shares gothic horror, demonic possession, religious imagery, and an isolated European setting.
The Exorcist
Shares supernatural investigation, Catholic exorcism themes, oppressive atmosphere, and escalating demonic threat.
The Omen
Shares gothic religious horror, haunted institutional spaces, and visually elaborate supernatural menace.
Sleepy Hollow
Shares ornate gothic production design, demonic forces, and a quest-like supernatural horror structure.
Movie Details
- Director
- Corin Hardy
- Release Date
- 2018-09-05
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (7327)
Cast
- Taissa Farmiga
- Demián Bichir
- Bonnie Aarons
- Jonas Bloquet
- Ingrid Bisu
- Patrick Wilson
- Vera Farmiga
- Lili Taylor
- Charlotte Hope
- Sandra Teles
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Nun about?
- A Vatican investigation at a cursed Romanian abbey pits a troubled priest and a novice nun against Valak, a demonic force that turns religious faith into a weapon.
- What is The Nun like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Nun as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Nun violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Nun as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Nun?
- Critics broadly found the film visually striking and atmospherically gothic but undermined by cliched storytelling, heavy exposition, weak suspense, and overreliance on jump scares.
- Which films are like The Nun?
- Films with a similar feel include The Conjuring 2, The Exorcist, The Omen, and Sleepy Hollow.
- How long is The Nun?
- The Nun runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Nun?
- In United States, The Nun streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
