The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist: reviews

What the critics say average 7.2 from 22

• 10 HitfixDrew McWeeny With a rich supporting cast, a smart script, and an ensemble that is put through their paces in some intense physical scenes, 'The Conjuring 2' is that rare horror sequel that stands toe to toe with the original, possibly even improving on it. Read
• 8.0 Los Angeles TimesJustin Chang Wan has a gift for investing even the creakiest cliches with shivery élan. He has always been a versatile connoisseur of genre thrills (...), but there is something about the Warrens? case files that pushes his filmmaking into the realm of the rhapsodic. Read
• 8.0 New York TimesNeil Genzlinger 'The Conjuring 2' does everything you want a sequel to do. It?s as well made as the original, but the location and the story are different enough that it?s not just the same thing all over again. Read
• 8.0 The Hollywood ReporterSheri Linden Wan?s expert deployment of genre jolts is no less in evidence this time around, but as he takes his time (...), he crafts a deep dive into dread. The film builds to a symphonic climax of heaven-and-hell emotion. Read
• 8.0 El MundoLuis Martínez Entertainment able to hit the same nerve chill. (...) The ability to scare Wan in a split second makes it a popular instant classic (...). Read
• 7.5 USA TodayBrian Truitt Wan leans into the real history of the 1977 Enfield poltergeist legend, too, though it?s not like he needs any extra inspiration for his fright fest ? when it comes to horror, the man pulls no punches or screams. Read
• 7.5 Rolling StonePeter Travers What makes 'The Conjuring 2' play deeper and darker than a warmed-over version of 'The Exorcist' is director James Wan. This Malaysian-born filmmaker can make his camera do terrifying tricks that are almost supernatural. Read
• 7.5 IndiewireEric Kohn As scary as it is when something abrupt takes place, The Conjuring 2 generates its deepest sense of dread when nothing does, and anything could. Read
• 7.5 The A.V. ClubKatie Rife When 'The Conjuring 2' focuses its efforts on scaring the audience, it succeeds, wildly. And why wouldn?t it? Wan?s got his horror technique locked down at this point. It?s the parts where it wanders away from the basics of creating and releasing tension that prevent it from outdoing its predecessor. Read
• 7.5 Roger EbertBrian Tallerico 'The Conjuring 2' doesn?t live up to the films that inspired it (or the original) not because of the filmmaking laziness we so often see in horror (especially sequels), but almost because Wan and company are having too much fun to streamline their film. Read
• 7.5 The WrapAlonso Duralde This sequel might lack the delightful jolts of its predecessor, but it nonetheless maintains a slow boil of terror that?s consistently unnerving. Read
• 7.0 Screen DailyTim Grierson Lacking some of the simplicity and elegance of the first instalment, 'The Conjuring 2' is nonetheless a smoothly efficient horror movie, building to a powerhouse finale rooted in our emotional connection to the film?s well-drawn main characters. Read
• 7.0 VarietyOwen Gleiberman Wan has a gift that most slam-bang horror directors today do not: a sense of the audience ? of their rhythm and pulse, of how to manipulate a moment so that he?s practically controlling your breathing. Read
• 7.0 ABCOti Rodríguez Marchante The director catalog of resources that dominates camera, light, sound, interpretation and suggestion for one, in his chair, in the dark, will make you want to ask the guard of the film to leave a light on in the room (...). Read
• 7.0 CinemaníaJavier Cortijo Shocking, though somewhat long, assorted frights and stomach crunches. A new demonstration of effective neoclassical James Wan's master. (...) Read
• 6.7 Entertainment WeeklyChris Nashawaty If there?s going to be a Conjuring 3?and this movie is just decent enough to suggest there will be?our heroes should be a little choosier about which case they dust off next. Read
• 6.3 New York PostLou Lumenick Wan knows how to sustain tension through terror, though he could have abbreviated the flabby middle of the movie. He?s not as good at sustaining a narrative with emotion or humor, and sentimental scenes with Ed or Lorraine or both seem mawkish. Read
• 6.3 Chicago Sun-TimesRichard Roeper Wan retains his touch for ratcheting up the tension, providing doses of comic relief and then BOOM!, delivering another gotcha moment that will leave audiences jumping in their seats and then giggling at the visceral thrill ride. Read
• 6.3 The Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan At the same time, ?The Conjuring 2? satisfies more than it disappoints. As Wan?s story swells to its inevitable, almost operatic crescendo. Read
• 6.0 Time OutTom Huddleston Director James Wan has his method down. The scares are effective and the camerawork is superb, all lurking long shots and short sharp shocks. Wan is fully aware of the austerity-era parallels in his story, and the period detail is surprisingly authentic.... But there?s little here we haven?t seen before. Read
• 6.0 El PaísJordi Costa As Tunnel of Terror , the movie is beyond reproach, but deny that reduces the most disturbing possibilities of the story to a competent but skin deep, pyrotechnics exercise would be counterproductive. Read
• 5.8 The PlaylistRuss Fischer As it fritters away character work and ideas about faith and devotion, this is a film clever enough to scare us but not smart enough to accomplish anything more. Read