The Nun 2: Unveiling the Impact of Test Screenings on Director’s Vision - A Dynamic Reflection of Evolving Audiences
The Nun 2 underwent significant alterations after test screenings, as the director acknowledged the evolving demands of audiences With a desire for more intensity, the horror franchise adapted to the changing landscape of gore, ensuring a thrilling and chilling experience for viewers
Summary
The Nun 2 underwent changes after test screenings, with audiences wanting more violence and gore, prompting additional footage.
The decision to incorporate additional violence in The Nun 2 was influenced by the ever-changing preferences and evolving tastes of audiences. According to Director Michael Chaves, while the original cut of the movie already contained violence and gore, they intensified these aspects in order to meet the demand of the audience.
One aspect of The Nun 2 underwent significant changes after a series of test screenings. The film, which premiered in theaters on September 8th, is the ninth installment in The Conjuring Universe and serves as a direct sequel to 2018's The Nun. It follows Sister Irene (played by Taissa Farmiga) as she reluctantly returns to confront the demon Valak, who often takes the form of an evil nun (played by Bonnie Aarons). Valak emerges from its hiding place within the body of Maurice (played by Jonas Bloquet), a former guide at a French boarding school where Irene now resides in seclusion.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Michael Chaves discussed the new film and highlighted some of its more intense and mature moments. He revealed that the original version of the movie already contained more explicit content compared to other films in The Conjuring franchise. However, audiences expressed a desire for even more graphic scenes. Chaves acknowledged that audience preferences are constantly evolving and opted to shoot additional graphic footage in order to meet their demands.
Horror's Relationship To Gore Has Changed Since the First Conjuring Movie
The movie already contained a considerable amount of violence and gore. However, public demand for even more of these elements prompted us to conduct additional photography and amplify their presence. This serves as evidence of how audiences are continually shifting and evolving. Even in its initial form, the movie was more intense and graphic compared to the typical Conjuring film.
The successful $32 million box office opening of The Nun 2 indicates that Chaves accurately recognized and responded to the demand of this particular audience. However, in the past, the films in The Conjuring Universe were notably devoid of excessive gore. In fact, the absence of graphic violence was even emphasized as a key selling point for the original 2013 film, The Conjuring. At that time, executive producer Walter Hamada explained that the movie secured its R-rating due to its ability to evoke intense fear.
This appealed to thrill-seeking audience members and also aimed to engage horror audiences who were growing tired of excessively violent films. The Saw franchise and its countless imitators were reaching their conclusion in the late 2010s (although Saw was later revived in 2017 and beyond). During this time, the horror genre was shifting towards more supernatural themes, with the success of franchises like Paranormal Activity, The Conjuring, and its subsequent sequels and spinoffs.
However, it has been a decade since the original release of The Conjuring. In the years since, there has been a resurgence of gore-centric movies such as Terrifier 2, There's Someone Inside Your House, Evil Dead Rise, Scream (2022), and Scream VI. As with any long-running franchise, The Nun 2 has had to adapt to the changing landscape, although it remains uncertain if future Conjuring movies will continue with its more violent approach.
Source: EW
