Review: The Conjuring 2

The Conjuring became quite the hidden gem when it was released three years ago. A nostalgic return to classic horror haunting roots, it breathed new life into the genre by shifting the focus to paranormal hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren (who also coincidentally have a cacophony of adaptable stories) as they fought metaphysical horrors. Naturally, the success gave way to a sequel. 

In a landscape where horror sequels are produced annually for a quick buck, The Conjuring 2 is refreshing once again. Although it follows many of the same beats as the original, this sequel took a step back and decided to go in a new, more action-oriented direction. And folks, this franchise (and believe me, there should be more) is all the better for it. 

The Conjuring 2
Directors: James Wan
Rating: R
Release Date: June 10, 2016 

Inspired by the events of the Enfield Poltergeist in 1970s London, and six years after the events of the first film, Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) Warren find themselves in London where single mother Peggy (Frances O’ Connor) and her four children are experiencing paranormal activity in their home. When the youngest, Janet (Madison Wolfe), begins acting strangely and claims to be the home’s deceased previous owner, Ed and Lorraine are dispatched by the church to prove whether or not there’s actually a spirit in their home. But in that search, darkness from the Warren’s past comes back to wreck things for everyone. 

As a sequel, Conjuring 2 makes a few interesting choices. First of all, it’s left behind the metaphysical horrors of the first film and instead chooses a more physical force for the Warrens to combat with. In comparison, the only physical interaction the Warrens had with a ghost in the first film were a few things flying around the finale’s exorcism. With a physical force resembling something from Wan’s other well known horror series, Insidious, Conjuring 2 is directed with a more action heavy flow. The film’s opening scene, which is the most important, tone establishing scene of any horror film, is punctuated by snaps so loud and at such a high frequency the scene loses the terror momentum. It abuses the “jump scare” (a sudden appearance of something punctuated by a loud noise) so much it exaggerates the action of the scene rather than revel in the horror. That’s not necessarily a bad thing since the rest of the film adapts to this newer, more heightened pace and tone, but there’s definitely a loss. 

The newer direction undervalues the film’s particularly creepy visuals. Now that there is something concrete to defeat, the tension comes from whether or not the Warrens can defeat the foe rather than the poltergeist in question getting under the audience’s skin. Wan directs the brunt of the film’s fear factor toward its characters and thus makes it “less scary” overall to the audience. It’s fulfilling the need for suspense (and does make for a more gripping film once it gets going), but backs away from true terror. I am also not sure why it’s rated R to begin with since most of the film’s horror visuals are toned down in favor of this new, more exciting direction. This is also the reason comparisons to the first film are apt since it tends to cruise through the same plot points, hoping this new tone would make the story different. But try as it might to change itself, The Conjuring 2 never fully commits to either direction. It loses horror for its action, but never makes that action as compelling as it could be. 

Conjuring 2 is just confused. What’s most interesting about this confusion is that it births interesting elements where a more focused take would have benefited. When Wan truly dives into the horror setting, you get some unique and revelatory sequences (like with the upside down crosses or the painting scene). But it is in between horror build up that lacks the necessary pace to keep the film enthralling until the Warrens get there. For a chunk of the film I found myself waiting for the Warrens to pop in again rather than being creeped out by the setting. With such a confused take, nothing in the film quite grabs. The setting, the plot, and every character but Ed and Lorraine are entirely unremarkable. But when the Warrens finally show up to do some things, the film’s action-y pace takes hold and it gets a shot in the arm. 

Since The Conjuring 2 loses its horror focus, it is not too compelling when an action isn’t taking place. But in that same breath, there are enough unique individual elements to make it enjoyable overall. To put it bluntly, the first film was “scarier” but the sequel handles itself better. It makes the kind of choices with its direction that serve to better the series moving forward. 

To think we will get a series where an exorcist couple throws witty banter back and forth as they fight demons three or four films from now. There is just too much potential to miss.