Release Date: Feb 7, 2025 at select theatres
The danger of getting possessed by a malicious spirit is very real in Dark Nuns (검은 수다들). When it’s set in South Korea, there’s the additional consideration concerning where this evil came from. Even Sister Junia (Song Hye-kyo) doubts her ability to figure out who this demon is, and save Hee-joon (Moon Woo-jin). It’s great when this film wastes no time to build to this moment, and when fellow nun Michaela (Jeon Yeo-been) wants to help and has no prior experience, that’s a formula that even has me intrigued.
If that’s not enough, there’s even a look at the psychological type of problems this lead has to face. As further complications pile up, not only does Junia face opposition at the convent, but also there’s the medical community who doesn’t believe demonic possession is a thing. When the latter believes the boy’s condition is mental degradation rather than spiritual, to enact a cure will be tough!
While this scenario sounds like whether vigilantism is allowed in a spiritual war for any soul, I like how this theosophy is being discussed. The heroine has to decide to follow her heart or the rules her bosses have outlined. This evil even likes to taunt her! As a result, I’d have to compare this work to The Priests, which is also written and directed by Kwon Hyeok-jae. His partial explanation of Christianity’s acceptance in this Asian world feels incomplete. As for whether it can replace folk remedies, that’s just one half of the film. The other concerns giving popular actress Hye-kyo a film for fans to see.
And when Junia is looking at other traditions to aid this fight, the subtext says it all. While I’m in favour of using everything that’s available to save the lad, that’s not the only reason I’m enjoying this film. I’m simply amused at the fact this heroine has to carry huge jugs of holy water to use when she’s ready to wash away evil!
The performances are quite good, and while I see Junia as a fawn, that motherhood instinct hasn’t quite kicked in yet. When dealing with evil forces that are not bound by one particular culture, it’s better to try everything you can to send it away!
3½ Stars out of 5
Dark Nuns Movie Trailer (Well GO USA edition)
