Dark Nuns: Exorcism Gets a Proper Film

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The movie titled Dark Nuns steers clear of minimalism and worn-out horror clichés, instead offering an intricately designed exorcism-themed thriller that tackles its theme thoughtfully. In a sense, it can be seen as a follow-up to the 2015 South Korean film The Priests. Director Kwon Hyeok-jae introduces two contrasting female leads who are compelled to combat a dreadful demon while dealing with disbelief, sexism, and their individual doubts. As they race against time with the fate of a young boy hanging in the balance, they must learn to rely on each other and their faith.

“Dark Nuns” is a movie that breaks away from simplicity and overused horror tropes, providing a deep exploration of exorcism through its complex plotline. It’s like a continuation of the 2015 South Korean film “The Priests.” Director Kwon Hyeok-jae presents two main characters who are very different yet must fight against a demon while dealing with disbelief, sexism, and their own doubts. In this thrilling story, they must trust each other and their faith to save a young boy’s life.

On an ominous, pitch-black night, I find myself standing before a decaying warehouse, smoke from my cigarette curling around me. The air is filled with chilling screams, and a group of priests are desperately trying to restrain a tormented child who’s swearing and thrashing about. Their prayers seem futile as the demon, with his malevolent power on display, wreaks havoc. With courage that defies reason, I stride into the room and drench the boy with holy water, my voice echoing as I demand the beast to relinquish its hold. A twisted laugh erupts from the demon’s blistered mouth, a warning that I will pay dearly for this act – the battle is far from over. Hee-Joon (Moon Woo-jin) slumps limply as the demon sets him free.

Two Good Nuns & No Cheap Scares

At the hospital, Hee-Joon is unconscious while his concerned mother speaks to the doctor. Father Paolo (Lee Jin-wook) isn’t a believer in possessions. He’s enraged that an unauthorized exorcism was conducted. Sister Junia, who lacked formal ordination, took an unsafe action without the church’s consent. Sister Michaela (Jeon Yeo-been), his assistant, listens attentively and shares his opinion. Hee-Joon’s recovery will be aided by medical treatment and psychiatric care.

Junia maintains her defiant stance following stern criticism from the Seoul archdiocese due to her controversial image as a troublemaker. The church is unwilling to tolerate such an association with Junia’s illegal actions as a rogue nun. Junia pays a visit to Hee-Joon in the hospital after another startling revelation. She perceives a strange likeness in a trembling Michaela, who persists in espousing Paola’s teachings of disbelief. Junia believes Michaela is hearing whispers from malevolent entities.

In an ominous setting with scant backing from the rigid religious hierarchy, Dark Nuns skillfully portrays the contrasting characters of Junia and Michaela. They aren’t inherently close or sharing the same perspective. Junia, a no-nonsense woman, abhors disrespect, especially when it challenges her spiritual authority. Hee-Joon is in peril due to a strange curse, and something unusual about the afflicting creature catches her attention. She’s determined and unwilling to tolerate the ignorant, seeking assistance to save him.

Michaela has a deep, complex past that unfolds through flashbacks. We witness her as a young girl struggling to reconcile her unusual powers with rigid Roman Catholic teachings. The tension between religious doctrine and supernatural wisdom deeply splits her. She is forced to acknowledge her true abilities and accept Junia’s guidance to rescue Hee-Joon. However, this means Michaela must confront a devastating event from her past that continues to torment her spirit. Surprisingly, it is Junia who ultimately reveals the truth to her.

A Complex & Well-Directed Look at Exorcisms

In the gripping tale of “Dark Nuns“, Kwon meticulously peels back layers to reveal the intricate mechanics of exorcism, without skimping on the details. The narrative doesn’t shy away from delving into the demon’s malevolent intentions. Junia guides Michaela through a path of enlightenment. Despite being a “shaman”, Junia’s beliefs don’t contradict her faith in God; instead, they form potent tools against evil. The shared ground between them offers an unusual yet powerful alliance. These scenes are filled with dramatic intensity seldom found in the horror genre. To put it simply, Junia, who bears a striking resemblance to Jessica Henwick’s sister, and Michaela initially clash but eventually unite for a noble cause, finding camaraderie along the way. Song and Jeon deliver compelling performances that bring the story to life.

In the film titled “Dark Nuns,” Kwon avoids using cheap fright tactics. Instead, he employs unsettling visuals, high-quality cinematography, and strategic lighting to intensify the horror. Unlike other films that hint at their intentions through silence, dimness, and shadowy corners, this one offers occasional glimpses of sunlight amidst mostly nighttime, rainy scenes filmed on grim sets adorned with a disquieting blend of pagan and Christian symbols. The exorcisms are performed in locales that allow for the unchecked occurrence of madness. Michaela points out the foul odors and unsightly conditions in each location she visits, to which Junia replies honestly. It’s important to note that demons don’t bother with freshening up by spraying perfume before taking possession of individuals.

‘Dark Nuns’ Just Refuses to End

Moon Woo-jin plays a pivotal role in the film’s triumph, earning much recognition for his spine-tingling portrayal as the tormented boy. His dialogue drips with venom and his physical transformations are convincing enough to make you question reality. The story relies heavily on empathy towards Hee-Joon and fear of his metamorphoses; without it, the narrative could crumble. While some events reference the original material, watching The Priests is not necessary to understand this film.

The main issue I found with “Dark Nuns” is that Kwon skillfully builds suspense to a climactic point, but prolongs the tension unnecessarily afterwards, like a farmer extracting milk from an overworked cow. A briefer ending would have been preferable. Instead, it stretches on and undermines the film’s powerful finale. This film features Korean dialogue with English subtitles, produced by Zip Cinema. “Dark Nuns” is currently being shown in a limited theatrical release from Well Go USA Entertainment.

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2025-02-10 05:04