“The Nun” is a supernatural horror film released in 2018, directed by Corin Hardy and written by Gary Dauberman. It is a spin-off of “The Conjuring 2” and the fifth installment in the Conjuring Universe franchise. The film delves into the origins of the demonic nun Valak, previously encountered by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Set in 1952, the storyline follows a Roman Catholic priest and a novitiate as they uncover the unholy secret of a Romanian abbey.

The film opens with the grim discovery at a secluded abbey in Romania. Two nuns are attempting to retrieve a Christian relic from a locked tunnel, where one of them is attacked by an unseen evil force. The surviving nun, Sister Victoria, flees the entity and, in a desperate act to avoid being captured by the demon, hangs herself from the window of the abbey.

Her death catches the attention of the Vatican, which decides to investigate the matter due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding the suicide. The Vatican enlists Father Burke, a priest with experience in handling paranormal cases, and Sister Irene, a young novitiate who has yet to take her final vows but has had visions that may be related to the events at the abbey. Together, they are sent to Romania to look into the matter.

Upon arriving in Romania, Father Burke and Sister Irene meet Frenchie, a local villager who found Sister Victoria’s body. Frenchie leads them to the abbey, which is situated in a remote and eerie location, surrounded by a graveyard and overshadowed by dark legends and an oppressive atmosphere.

As they begin their investigation, Father Burke and Sister Irene discover the dark history of the abbey. It was initially built as a castle by a duke who was obsessed with occult rituals. The duke attempted to open a portal to hell through the dark rituals, but was stopped by Christian knights who sealed the rift with the relic that the nuns were later trying to retrieve. The abbey was then converted into a convent, but the seal was weakened over the years, allowing the evil presence to emerge intermittently.

The entity they encounter is Valak, a powerful demon that presents itself in the form of a nun to blend into its surroundings and manipulate the resident nuns. Father Burke is haunted by his past during the investigation, specifically an exorcism that went tragically wrong, resulting in the death of a young boy. This experience shakes his faith and confidence, but also deepens his resolve to protect Sister Irene and put an end to the evil residing within the abbey.

Sister Irene’s visions grow more intense as she comes closer to confronting Valak. These visions are revealed to be messages, helping guide her toward understanding the nature of the evil they are facing and how it might be defeated. Irene learns that she has been chosen for this fight due to her unique spiritual sensitivity and the purity of her faith, which are both crucial in battling such a profound evil.

The climax of the film sees Father Burke, Sister Irene, and Frenchie descending into the abbey’s underground tunnels after discovering that the relic is the key to sealing the portal and banishing Valak. In a tense sequence filled with supernatural threats, they retrieve the relic, and Sister Irene confronts Valak in a final showdown. Using her faith and the holy relic, Irene manages to seal the demonic portal. Valak is banished back to hell, but not before hinting that its malevolent influence may continue to linger.

The film ends with the trio leaving the abbey, their mission seemingly completed, but with heavy implications that evil could rise again. In a twist linking the film to the larger Conjuring Universe, Frenchie is revealed to be Maurice, a character mentioned in “The Conjuring,” who was possessed by a demonic entity during an exorcism performed by Ed and Lorraine Warren years later. This connection suggests that Valak’s influence was not fully contained within the abbey.

“The Nun” effectively expands the lore of the Conjuring Universe by providing a backstory for one of its most haunting figures. It combines elements of gothic horror with the atmospheric tension of the supernatural, creating a chilling tale about faith, sacrifice, and the relentless battle against ancient evil.