In Dark Nuns, a pair of mismatched nuns take on dark forces and institutional resistance in a supernatural battle that challenges both faith and tradition. Directed by Kwon Hyeok-jae, the film is an official spin-off of the 2015 thriller The Priests, which starred Gang Dong-won and Kim Yun-seok. The growing popularity of religious horror in South Korean cinema, fueled by hits like Exhuma and The Wailing, finds new ground in this female-led entry.
The story follows Sister Giunia (Song Hye-kyo), a strong-willed but terminally ill nun who defies papal doctrine by attempting an unsanctioned exorcism. Her patient, Hee-joon (Moon Woo-jin), remains in critical condition, and her failure draws skepticism from Church authorities who insist on a medical explanation. However, Giunia also faces a more sinister challenge—a lurking demonic entity that refuses to be expelled.
At the hospital, she crosses paths with Sister Michela (Jeon Yeo-been), a novice nun under the guidance of Father Paolo (Lee Jin-uk). Initially, Michela rejects Giunia’s beliefs, but as the story unfolds, her own dark past and supernatural visions emerge. To control her terrifying premonitions, she turns to tarot card readings, revealing a complex, layered character.
As Hee-joon’s condition worsens, Giunia and Michela are forced into an unlikely partnership. Their search for a cure leads them beyond the strict boundaries of Church-sanctioned exorcism, seeking help from a shamanist priest (Kim Gook-hee). Their path eventually introduces them to a Rosicrucian splinter group, which offers a dangerous and controversial solution that defies centuries of patriarchal control within religious institutions.
The film stands out with its female-led narrative, positioning Giunia and Michela as heroines battling both supernatural evil and institutional sexism. Their journey is emotionally compelling, but the film struggles to break away from the familiar tropes of religious horror. While Song and Jeon deliver strong performances, the film’s execution remains conventional, relying on well-worn imagery of cross-wielding clergy and bed-bound possessions.
Despite its predictability, Dark Nuns hints at future developments with a final scene that teases an alliance between priests and nuns, suggesting potential for a larger supernatural saga. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it offers enough intrigue to keep audiences engaged.
READ MORE: