Movie Reviews: The Conjuring 2 ★★★☆☆

The Conjuring 2 (2016) 

Director: James Wan

Genre: Horror, Mystery

Running Time: 136 minutes

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson and Frances O'Connor

Did I like it? Yes. Was it scary? Hell yes. Was it as good as the first one? No. I don't think this sequel is one of the few that exceeds its predecessor. I do however think that it's an outstanding sequel in comparison to other horror sequels like Sinister 2 (2015) and  Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013). But the subtlety of part one is far scarier than tables flying constantly through the rooms. It's the big mistake that basically all horror directors make. Nobody seems to realize that less is more. And I mean this quite literally. The less you see, the less you know, the more scarier a scene is. 

Why is it that these films are not only effective horror films, but also good films? I think it is because of Vera Farmiga. This is an actress who has such screen presence. When she's around your eye immediately goes to her. She's an asset of the film, but also a sort of liability. Because whenever she's not around, the film flattens out. But I can't imagine these films without her. Her chemistry with Patrick Wilson was good in the first one and it continues in the sequel with a sweet little emotional storyline. I quite liked that, between the dozens of jump scares. Although I couldn't really enjoy those moments, because I was constantly preparing for a face of an old man to appear behind somebody.

I have to admit that this was my very first horror film I watched in the cinema. So I was watching at times with my eyes closed. That is, I think, a good sign, because the film had some inventive and effective scares. I liked the voice of the old man coming from the young girl, I liked the disturbing painting of the nun and I liked the reference to Amityville. Various scenes (for example the scene with Janet in the chair) were visually stunning. James Wan has proven himself the last few years that he really knows the art of making a horror film. 

The ending I found really disappointing (as always). It was, quite literally, lightning and thunder all over the place. The extreme visual 'demon' wasn't scary anymore, now it's true form came out. And it all felt quite rushed. Wan probably thought 136 minutes was long enough (and rightly so!). In conclusion, I liked it, but I didn't love it. I missed the build-up I loved from the first one. And I'm still waiting on a sequel that goes for far less, instead of way more.

★★★☆☆