Just how scary is The Nun? The Conjuring franchise has delivered some of the scariest blockbuster horror movies in recent memory, with the two main movies and two Annabelle spinoffs terrifying audiences since 2013.

Now The Nun joins the fray. First introduced in The Conjuring 2, the terrifying human form of demonic spirit Valak was so unnerving it immediately had a prequel movie green-lit. Directed by Corin Hardy and starring Taissa Farmiga, The Nun explores Valak's entrance into our world and the Nun form's origins in a Romanian convent.

Related: Should You Wait Until The End Of The Nun's Credits?

The Nun was undoubtedly the scariest element of The Conjuring 2, so just how far do things go in her solo movie? The film is rating R for "terror, violence, and disturbing/bloody images", here's what that really means.

Jump Scares In The Nun Movie

Taissa Farmiga in The Nun

The Conjuring films build terror with an oppressive atmosphere, but at the core of the horror is jump scares. The Nun doesn't skim here, with a steady flow of moments that aim to jolt you out of your seat. Many are of the classic form the series has perfected: a character sees a figure in a reflection or the distance, turns around to see nothing, then back to find the spirit right in front of them. This plays out dependably, meaning they never come completely out of the blue, but even if you know the form it's still going to shock you. That said, The Nun's jump scares aren't as aggressive as some recent horror films, and Hardy doesn't abuse sound effects to make the surprise worse.

How Scary Is The Nun Movie (Besides Jump Scares)?

Taissa Farmiga as Sister Irene praying in The Nun

Jump scares aside, The Nun is still a chilling film. It's constantly forboding and characters are never free from danger or Valak's games. This can really mount up, especially in the nighttime or interior sequences. Of course, The Nun is ultimately a popcorn horror movie where the terror is more about the ride than it is the bigger impact. The scares aren't suffocating and the feeling doesn't linger too long after viewing the movie. This is helped by a gothic style and carefully placed moments of comedy.

How Violent Is The Nun Move?

The Nun is rated R for its violence and bloody images, and this is present from the opening sequence. There's a fair amount of blood shown, with one decaying corpse returned to in various states throughout. While that will definitely upset the very squeamish, there's nothing overly extreme in The Nun. However, many of the more grotesque moments are doubled up with chilling moments or jump scares, so beware.

The Rest Of The Nun Movie's R-Rating: Swearing And Nudity

Frenchie in The Nun

Aside from the typical horror elements, there's not much more to contribute to The Nun's R-rating. There is copious swearing, especially with "sh*t", but it's often in a comedic sense. There's no nudity even hinted at.

Next: The Conjuring Complete Timeline

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