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.
