Dark Nuns

I've been waiting for Song Hye Kyo to take on another darker role after her performance in The Glory. Sadly Dark Nuns was probably not the right vehicle to show case her talent.

I enjoy slow paced films, however there has to be some sense that the plot is moving along, drawing you in and keeping you captivated. Korean horror is usually very good at this, for example the excellent Exhuma ( released last year) created a balance of intrigue and suspense that kept you glued to your seats for the whole time. Unfortunately Dark Nuns fails in this area and just becomes boring at the end.

The actors were not challenged enough by the script and direction so their talents were lost in the complicated mechanisms of the Catholic Church. I liked the idea of highlighting the nuns work in what has typically been an extremely male focused domain but without the tools to do this, the lead actresses floundered.

A missed opportunity for Song Hye Kyo to cement the next stage of career as there are only so many romantic/melo roles that she can do now, due to her age. She quickly needs to find something that stretches her talents to give her the gravitas she is seeking for the next part of her acting career.

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.

Giving 10 star to all the actor and actress.

But for the movie.. gosh. This is the worst horror movie.. Too much drama and unnecessary things to explain.

Rather than explaining the history of the demon they choose to make lotsssssssss of drama.

Please learn again to make horror movie.

Exhuma wayyyyyyyyyy better than this!

I never give a rank before. But this movie.. Waaaaayyyyy below my expectations.

U call this as a horror movie? Really? 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

This is not a horror movie! This is a drama movie. Gosh! Im so furious! Wasted all the good acting from a very talented actress and actor.. ckckck..

Went in with somewhat higher expectation because having watched Korean series and movies since the 2000's, very familiar with the female lead Song Hye Kyo and that's also how long she has been in the industry. Have to say that Dark Nuns is only her second venture into darker roles, first one being The Glory. Because she is too pretty she had always been previously offered roles as well, a beautiful woman in melodramas. Not entirely her fault because actors often don't get cast for more gritty roles because they're "too beautiful/delicate".

Having said that, Dark Nuns makes me want to see The Priests (2015) and compare both to see how good was the source and how good the sequel fares.

The story is nothing new, two nuns this time instead of priests doing everything they can to save a possessed boy. In my opinion Song still seems too delicate for the role of an exorcist strong enough to hold down the possessed and her decades of good girl image doesn't help, but I think she has potential to someday be a badass character.

Visuals of the movie was fine but with mediocre CGI on one scene. Jeon Yeo Been shines brighter here than in Vincenzo. Just a bit bothered by the idea of "divine powers ultimate combo" to ward off the pesky demon. Doesn't work like that.

Overall a decent watch. Definitely watch it if you're a fan of SHK to encourage future grittier, bad girl role pick from her.

Finally a truly biased last part: giving an otherwise 7 star rating an extra 1 star to support the hallyu queen, and so happy to see Dark Nuns does well while Bogota, Loh Ki Wan and Hopeless flop miserably, ha! If you know, you know!

Where to start...let me just say that the movie is that boring that you can easily fall asleep.

The movie lack any substance and the director failed to deliver a coherent narrative.

After seeing this movie I finally understand why the actress Song Hye-Kyo was always chosen to play romantic characters. The actress has no charisma a no character, she is not capable of playing a strong woman...she is not convincing as a strong woman.

She does not show any power, grit or tenacity. She is quite bland and it seems as if she is afraid of not looking beautiful, as if looking beautiful for her is much more important then looking a strong woman.

There is not much more to say as the film is really without substance. They tried - again - to hide the movie's lack of quality by casting famous actresses.