Everyone loves a good horror movie, some people will even take a pretty mediocre one. There are few other genres that can incite such a raw reaction from audiences. Whether it's a jump from a terrified patron during a tense moment or a laugh during the more cliched segments, horror films always make for an interesting watch with a crowd.
Now I am unsure why this is the case, but horror films just flat out do not scare me. Maybe it’s a level of self-awareness, or I am just more terrified by silly threats like sharks or an empty snack cupboard. With this being the case, the genre has been an interesting one to digest throughout the years.
*Shudders*
To be frank however, the genre has proven mostly to be a wasteland in mainstream cinema, with the promising The Conjuring 2 failing to lift the genre out of its scary bad cold streak. A sequel to the 2013 hit original, the film follows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, with their latest misadventure taking them to a haunted house and London. Inside lies a tight-knit family of four, who try to hold together against all odds.
Comparing The Conjuring 2 to some of the terrible horror films that perceive it is not particularly fair. The film is clearly crafted by people who have a know-how for the genre, as well as their own distinct voice. Director James Wan (Saw and Insidious) has a great deal of experience with the genre, and uses it to his advantage. His camera work swoops effortlessly from setpiece to setpiece, showing an inventive craftiness that makes each moment pop.
One must also admire the angle this material is approached. Instead of just giving audiences non-stop scares, Wan and his bevy of screenwriters take time to develop the characters and their dire situation. A primary focus is the relationship between Ed and Lorraine, which makes for some tender moments as well as some much needed down time between each demonic possession. The characters in general are surprisingly well drawn, and thankfully act as terrified as any normal person would be in the situation.
Even with that being said, The Conjuring 2 struggled to keep me involve, especially during its bloated 133 minute running time. While the characters are quite good, the main attraction in horror films is the story and scares. Sadly, this is where the film feels the most contrived. The set-up for the film is eerily similar to dozens of other horror films, which makes each of the major plot beats being fairly easy to predict. In a genre that thrives off the unpredictable, this is a trend that is especially distressing.
As far as the horror segments go, they are far more thought out than comparable horror movies, but equally ineffective. Despite having the creative openness of an R-rating, the visuals are fairly tame for the most part. Wan tries to slowly build up to the scare, with every slight noise or movement trying to build up the intensity. While that sounds great in practice, the execution left me waiting for the big scare to come rather than enjoying the process.
Why are films like Conjuring 2 continuing to play it so traditional? While this may be a case in the mainstream, there are several art house films that are reinventing the genre. From the 80’s inspired It Follows to the Puritan folk tale The Witch, quite a few smaller horror films are delivering the same scares audiences want, just in a more unique package. These films are also unafraid to explore more worldly subtext as well, offering some insightful themes on culture and life itself.
The Conjuring 2 is a horror flick that will certainly be serviceable for most audiences, and for good reason. Executed with more thought than comparable flicks, it's a respectable effort by all involved, but one that failed to ever truly draw me in. For horror fans like myself who want something a little more unique, there are plenty of options. It might just take a little bit of digging and an open mind.
Rating: 5/10
