Genre: Supernatural Horror | Gothic | Thriller
Director: Michael Chaves
Starring: Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Bonnie Aarons, Demián Bichir (flashbacks)
Produced by: James Wan & Peter Safran
Part of: The Conjuring Universe
The unholy veil lifts once more in The Nun 3, the third chapter of the demonic nun saga and the latest installment in the ever-expanding Conjuring Universe. Returning to its gothic roots with renewed terror, this sequel delivers a visually stunning, spiritually sinister, and emotionally layered tale of darkness, faith, and vengeance.
Set in the early 1960s, The Nun 3 follows Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) after the traumatic events of The Nun II. She now resides in a secluded Italian convent, trying to heal from the spiritual scars left by her encounters with Valak, the demon nun. However, when a string of mysterious deaths and supernatural disturbances erupt across religious institutions in Europe, Irene is called back into action.
Haunted by visions of Saint Lucy, and cryptic messages from beyond the grave, she reunites with Maurice (Jonas Bloquet)—still battling the remnants of Valak’s possession. The Church sends them on a final mission: uncover the ancient origin of the demon and banish it before it completes its prophetic plan to tear open the veil between the spiritual and mortal worlds.
Taissa Farmiga once again shines as Sister Irene. Her portrayal is more mature, more battle-worn, and more complex. She embodies a heroine caught between humility and holy fury. Jonas Bloquet brings emotional vulnerability as Maurice, whose inner torment makes him both a victim and a potential vessel of evil.
Bonnie Aarons, as Valak, needs no words—her terrifying screen presence is enough. This time, Valak is less a jump-scare machine and more an intelligent, calculating force, feeding off fear and fractured faith.
Director Michael Chaves, with lessons learned from The Nun II and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, improves his storytelling craft. He focuses less on cheap jump scares and more on atmospheric dread, religious symbolism, and mythic storytelling.
The film’s visual style is haunting: candlelit corridors, shadowy frescoes that move when no one’s looking, and hellish dreamscapes that mirror Valak’s domain. The score by Abel Korzeniowski mixes eerie choir chants with dissonant strings, amplifying the suspense to near-unbearable levels.
The Nun 3 expands on the demon’s origin, tracing Valak to pre-Christian demonology and forbidden Vatican texts. It delves into faith versus fear, feminine strength in a patriarchal church, and the idea that evil does not rest—it adapts.
There are also subtle links to The Conjuring films, with mentions of Lorraine Warren’s visions and future hauntings, bridging the gap toward The Conjuring: Last Rites.
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Strong lead performance from Taissa Farmiga
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More refined storytelling and deeper emotional stakes
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Creepy, gorgeous production design
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Expansion of Valak’s mythology and connection to broader universe
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Scares built on tension and lore, not just shock value
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Some supporting characters lack development
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The pacing slows in the second act
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A few plot threads feel familiar to longtime horror fans
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The ending hints at future stories rather than offering full closure
The Nun 3 may not reinvent the horror genre, but it elevates the Valak saga to new spiritual and cinematic heights. With compelling performances, deeper lore, and chilling execution, it earns its place as one of the stronger entries in The Conjuring Universe. This is not just another haunted convent tale—it's a battle for the soul of the franchise.
