The Conjuring 2

Rating: 8/10 (16 July 2016)

The first film was a big hit scary movie, the spin-off prequel Annabelle was a bit disappointing, and I was looking forward to this critically higher rated sequel, directed by James Wan (Saw, Dead Silence, Insidious). Basically set in 1977, Peggy Hodgson (Bedazzled's Frances O'Connor) lives with her children Janet (Madison Wolfe), Margaret (Lauren Esposito), Johnny (Patrick McAuley) and Billy (Benjamin Haigh) live in Enfield, London, England. One night, Janet is conversing with an unseen entity who claims that the house is his, soon all the siblings and Peggy witness paranormal activities for themselves, with the spirit attacking them they are forced to take refuge with their neighbours. The Hodgsons' create a media storm with their claims that their house is haunted, paranormal investigators Maurice Grosse (Simon McBurney) and Anita Gregory (Creep's Franka Potente) are brought in to help, Janet is possessed by the spirit of Bill Wilkins, an elderly man who previously lived and died in the house, he wants his house back. The story of the haunting eventually reaches noted demonologists Ed (Insidious's Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Orphan's Vera Farmiga), who a year ago were investigating the Lutz family and the murders and demonic occurrences in Amityville, New York, who come to London to help the case. Lorraine fears for Ed's life, as she had a premonition of his death, he promises they will only document, they consult Maurice and Anita on the legitimacy of the case, they also attempt to talk to Wilkins spirit in attempt to stop him harassing the family. One night a possessed Janet is caught on video wrecking the kitchen, the Warrens are convinced the haunting is a prank, but they change their minds when they find out Wilkins is only a pawn, being manipulated to haunt Janet, the true mastermind is a demonic nun, who Lorraine has seen in her visions. The Warrens return to the Hodgson's house, Janet is possessed, lightning strikes a tree outside the house, leaving a stump that resembles what impales Ed in Lorraine's premonition of his death. Ed stops the possessed Janet jumping out the window and committing suicide, but they are near to falling with the curtain he is holding to tearing, Lorraine remembers that the demon's name is Valak, she confronts and addresses it by name, successfully condemning it to Hell, Janet is freed from possession, and Lorraine saves her and Ed from falling. The end of the film tells that Peggy lives in the house until her death, where she was found sitting in the same chair Wilkins died in, Ed adds the "The Crooked Man" zoetrope toy from the house to his collection, alongside the music box and Annabelle the doll in the case. Also starring Maria Doyle Kennedy as Peggy Nottingham, Simon Delaney as Vic Nottingham, Sterling Jerins as Judy Warren. Bob Adrian as Bill Wilkins, Robin Atkin Downes as Demon Voice, Bonnie Aarons as Demon Nun, Javier Botet as Crooked Man and Steve Coulter as Father Gordon. The cast all do well, especially Wilson and Farmiga as the real-life ghostbusters, Wilson's highlight is an Elvis Presley impression singing "Can't Help Falling in Love", this works even better than the original film, the jump scares with loud noises and things suddenly appearing are much more effective,, and a tense score by Joseph Bishara, a really scary and splendid supernatural horror. Very good!