Geomeun sunyeodeul

The three major reasons I watched this South Korean horror movie are that South Korea is one of my favourites countries for movies, that horror is one of my favourite genres, and that I never pay too much attention to negative reviews as most of the people are just never satisfied. The three reasons I should not have watched this movie are that not all South Korean movies are excellent, that possession movies have been done over and over again and even though you never know that you might stumble on a gem this one was not one of them, and that this time the negative reviewers were right. It's just a repetitive snooze fest, not enough action and apart from the actor playing the possessed the rest wasn't very convincing. It's been awhile since I watched a bad South Korean movie, hopefully the next one will be better again.

Kwon Hyeok-jae's Dark Nuns isn't just another exorcism thriller. It defies the usual trappings of demon-possession films, avoiding cheap jump scares and excessive CGI in favour of something far more unsettling: a slow-burning, visually arresting battle between faith and reason, male dominance and defiance, belief and doubt.

Officially a spin-off of 2015's The Priests, directed by Jang Hyun, this South Korean drama-exorcism film finds its strength in haunting cinematography, layered storytelling, and some truly gripping performances-most notably from Song Kyo in one of her most commanding roles yet.

The film follows Sister Giunia (Song Hye-Kyo) and Sister Michela (Jeon Yeo-been), two nuns who embark on a perilous exorcism that is as much about confronting deep-seated institutional sexism as it is about driving out a malevolent force.

Dark Nuns stands apart by fusing Catholic rituals, Korean shamanism, and tarot mysticism into an intricate web of spiritual warfare, making it more than just a battle against demonic possession - it's a reckoning with centuries of patriarchal control over both the religious and medical realms.

The chemistry between Song Hye-kyo and Jeon Yeo-been is electric. As Sister Giunia, Song commands the screen with raw intensity, portraying a nun whose faith is unwavering yet deeply personal. She is unafraid to challenge authority, even as she faces forces - both human and supernatural - that seek to silence her.

Meanwhile, Jeon Yeo-been's Sister Michela begins as a sceptic, rejecting Giunia's methods outright. However, as terrifying visions consume her, she turns to the ancient art of tarot to make sense of her reality.

What starts as opposition slowly morphs into an uneasy alliance as the two women navigate an exorcism unlike any before.

Beyond its thematic depth, Dark Nuns is visually stunning. The cinematography drenches every frame in a moody, gothic beauty, where candlelit corridors and looming cathedrals create an atmosphere thick with tension.

The set design is meticulous, enhancing the film's eerie realism, while the sound design - whispers in the dark, the crackle of tarot cards, the deep echoes of sacred chants - ensures an immersive experience.

What makes Dark Nuns truly compelling is its exploration of faith and reason, never offering easy answers.

In a world where religion and medicine are often at odds, the film dares to ask: must they be? Or can they coexist in a larger, divine plan?

By the time the final act arrives - harrowing, thought-provoking, and beautifully ambiguous - one thing is certain: Dark Nuns is a refreshing, sophisticated take on the exorcism genre, proving that true horror lies not just in the supernatural, but in the very institutions that shape our understanding of good and evil.

A daring blend of exorcism, shamanism, and tarot readings to save a teenager from a malevolent entity. This unconventional approach is incredibly bold and refreshing, creating a unique and captivating viewing experience.

The film had me completely hooked, from the start and especially the intense finale. The atmosphere made me anxious about what will happened. Prediction about the ending kept me on the edge of my seat.

Sister Yunia is such a charismatic character - a total badass. Her unwavering determination and selfless acts of courage are truly inspiring. The ending is one I won't forget.

I still can't get over "The Priests". It's my favorite exorcism film. The hopeful ending was a beautiful reminder of faith.

"The Dark Nuns", on the other hand, explores the deeper meaning of sacrifice and the strength found within oneself. It's a truly thought-provoking film that will stay with me for a long time.

I hope you'll be inspired to watch them!

I don't understand what's the movie was all about?! It was super boring and long and not scarry at all. The plot is just blah and nothing's good about this movie, so irrelevant, I can't stop hoping it will end soon, this is another movie after Joker 2 that I feel like nonsense and just blah in every scene. They wanted to make this nun look cool but they just making her like a stress woman who wanted to beat demon hahahahaha! Oh man... I thought Korean movies are always good. They are better in making zombie movies or sad movies. And that kid in the movie, why was he so special that he got possesed so bad?! So many whys in this movie, my teenager son were sleeping during the movies.

For those of you who don't know, this is a spin-off of the movie The Priests from 2015, so I watched that one right before going into Dark Nuns. It was refreshing to see an exorcism movie from South Korea, and while the performances and overall execution were solid, I couldn't help but feel a little bored due to the tame approach. I'm used to the over-the-top Western executions of these kinds of movies.

The same applies to Dark Nuns, which takes a more sophisticated approach to the exorcism genre and doesn't try to entertain the audience with exaggerated possession scenes or cheap jump scares. The storytelling takes center stage in this film. However, I have to say that the story really dragged. The characters are not particularly interesting, and the movie contains many scenes that could have been cut in the editing room without affecting the outcome.

I'm getting tired of these two-hour-long movies, especially when they don't really justify their length. The performances were good, and the overall production quality was decent, aside from some CGI rats toward the end. The connection to The Priests was very brief and probably wouldn't have had much impact if I hadn't seen the original beforehand.

Overall, it's definitely a watchable film, but we've seen better from South Korea.

[5.2/10]