The Conjuring 2 (2016)

[AllOuttaBubbleGum]

Originally Posted by edmonddantes

Been watching horror movies for 40 years, and a few out of a hundred disturb me, 1 or 2 sort of scare me, but that sequence (that Id spoil tag if I were you) terrified me. The directing is astonishing in this. Only people who've tried to make a horror movie will know how hard is to manipulate the viewer as you want, like they were puppets. Thats what james Wan does, hes truly a master.

this movie as a whole remains my favorite 21 century horror, I wished they were rumors about a 4k release.

Viscerally, there are some good sequences in The Conjuring 2, but I feel these films are held back by the handholding, franchise hero duo of Ed and Lorraine. Their saccharine portrayal feels phony, as if designed to provide an undergirding of reassurance to the audience that insulates it from something truly disconcerting. The worthwhile set pieces seem landlocked in a film that refuses to conjure genuine dread.

I actually prefer Takashi Shimizu's American remake of The Grudge in the extended version as a goosebump maker. It's ice cold, and just as accomplished in its command of visceral chills and atmosphere. It's mostly been written off for being a remake...but in this case the increased budget went toward refinement and intensification. I think one, key scene 'inspired' and was expanded/adapted into "It Follows."