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The Last Exorcism Part II (2013) movie poster

Plot Summary

The Last Exorcism Part II (2013) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 88 min · English
JustWatch #28,966 2
Directed by
Ed Gass-Donnelly
Starring
Ashley Bell
Budget
$5M

Following the events of the first film, Nell Sweetzer finds herself struggling to adjust to a new life in New Orleans. Haunted by fragmented memories of the horrific exorcism she endured, she attempts to rebuild her life. However, the malevolent entity that terrorized her family resurfaces, plunging her back into a nightmare of supernatural horrors and forcing her to confront the lingering darkness.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Last Exorcism Part II
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Last Exorcism Part II (2013)

Where can you watch The Last Exorcism Part II? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Essential and Paramount Plus Premium: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in The Last Exorcism Part II: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of The Last Exorcism Part II (2013) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

A couple, Jared and Lily, stumble upon a terrifying sight when they find Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell](/actor/ashley-bell)), who appears to be possessed, squatting next to their refrigerator. After her unsettling discovery, Nell is taken to a hospital where she enters a catatonic state. Following a few months under the care of Frank (Muse Watson) at a home for girls, and later working as a chambermaid in a hotel managed by Beverly (Diva Tyler), things begin to look up for Nell, alleviating her horrific nocturnal visions.

However, things take a dark turn during a Mardi Gras celebration when Nell, with her friends Gwen (Julia Garner), Daphne (Erica Michelle), and Monique (Sharice Angelle Williams), begins to experience unsettling occurrences marked by the presence of masked men. As her demeanor shifts to something more sinister, Nell realizes that the demon Abalam has returned to haunt her.

Tragedy strikes when Stephanie (Raeden Greer), one of the residents of the house, dies suddenly from an unnatural seizure. Cecile (Tarra Riggs), a coworker of Nell’s, divulges the existence of the Order of the Right Hand, a clandestine group that has been observing Nell closely. Her friends stumble upon a YouTube video revealing details from the previous film that inexplicably makes Nell an internet sensation, igniting a mix of fear and rage within her.

In a tragic turn of events, Chris (Spencer Treat Clark), another hotel worker who harbors feelings for Nell, succumbs to despair and ends his life after watching a clip that reveals Nell's murky past regarding her pregnancy. Seeking intervention, Cecile turns to the Order of the Right Hand, introducing Nell to Calder (David Jensen) and Jeffrey (E. Roger Mitchell). They try to expel the demon that claims to love Nell by attempting to transfer it into a sacrificial chicken. Yet, the formidable supernatural presence remains too overbearing, compelling Calder to inject Nell with a fatal dose of morphine in a desperate act to save her.

In a chilling climax, the demon manifests in the form of Nell, appearing as a doppelganger not only of herself but also of her father and Chris, imploring her to accept its hand. As Nell's pulse halts momentarily, Calder, Jeffrey, and Cecile believe her to be dead. Eventually, she succumbs to the demon, grasping its hand; chaos ensues as the house ignites in flames with the three cult members perishing.

Leaving destruction in her wake, Nell drives away in a car, seemingly undead as she gazes into the rearview mirror. The prophecy of catastrophic events set forth on Earth begins to unfold, as she ignites multiple buildings and vehicles while whizzing past, heralding her as an instrument of devastation.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 11:41

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Plot questions answered

The Last Exorcism Part II Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about The Last Exorcism Part II (2013): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does the demon Abalam return to Nell after she seemingly recovered?

Abalam returns because the demon was never truly expelled from Nell. The first film's exorcism only suppressed it temporarily. During Mardi Gras, the demon resurfaces when Nell's mental guard is down, exploiting her vulnerability and the chaotic energy of the celebration to reclaim control over her.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes showing Nell's nightmares hint at the demon's lingering presence within her.

  • abalam
  • demon
  • possession
  • return
  • nell sweetzer
Q2

Why does Chris commit suicide in the film?

Chris kills himself after watching a YouTube video that reveals Nell's dark past, specifically regarding her pregnancy from the first film. Unable to cope with the truth about her history and the traumatic events she endured, he sees no hope for their potential relationship and takes his own life.

Foreshadowing: Chris's romantic interest in Nell is established early, making his eventual despair more impactful.

  • chris
  • suicide
  • death
  • youtube video
  • nell pregnancy
Q3

What is the Order of the Right Hand?

The Order of the Right Hand is a secretive cult group that has been secretly monitoring Nell since her first encounter with Abalam. They possess knowledge about demonic possession and attempt to help Nell by performing rituals to expel the demon, believing they are fulfilling a divine purpose.

Foreshadowing: Cecile's cryptic warnings about people watching Nell foreshadow the Order's presence.

  • order of the right hand
  • cult
  • cecile
  • calder
  • jeffrey
Q4

Why does the exorcism ritual using the chicken fail?

The ritual fails because Abalam's power is too overwhelming to transfer into a sacrificial chicken. The demon claims to love Nell and refuses to leave her body, demonstrating its deep attachment to its host and its ability to resist the cult's conventional expulsion methods.

Foreshadowing: The demon's earlier return during Mardi Gras signals its determination to stay with Nell.

  • exorcism
  • ritual
  • chicken
  • abalam
  • failure
Q5

Why does Calder inject Nell with morphine?

Calder injects Nell with a fatal dose of morphine as a desperate attempt to save her from the demon. Believing that killing her physical body might force the demon to leave or kill the host, he chooses this extreme measure. However, this only temporarily stops Nell's heart without freeing her from Abalam's grip.

Foreshadowing: The cult's desperation grows as the demon proves unstoppable.

  • calder
  • morphine
  • injection
  • death
  • cult
Q6

What happens when Nell accepts the demon's hand?

When Nell accepts Abalam's hand, she fully succumbs to the demon's possession. Her heart stops momentarily, and she becomes completely controlled by the entity. The house ignites in flames as the cult members perish, and Nell rises as an undead vessel of the demon.

Foreshadowing: The doppelganger appearance signals Nell's final transformation.

  • demon
  • acceptance
  • possession
  • fire
  • death
Q7

Why does Nell cause destruction at the end of the film?

Nell becomes an agent of destruction because she has fully accepted Abalam's power. Now possessed completely, she uses her newfound supernatural abilities to ignite buildings and vehicles, fulfilling the demon's prophecy of catastrophic events on Earth. She has become the instrument of the demon's destructive will.

Foreshadowing: The prophecy of catastrophic events is mentioned earlier by the cult.

  • destruction
  • end
  • nell
  • prophecy
  • abalam
Q8

Why does Stephanie die at the home for girls?

Stephanie dies from an unnatural seizure, likely caused by the demon's growing influence spreading negative energy to those around Nell. Her death serves as a warning that Abalam's presence affects not just Nell but also those in her proximity, escalating the threat level.

Foreshadowing: The increase in supernatural occurrences around Nell precedes Stephanie's death.

  • stephanie
  • death
  • seizure
  • home for girls
Q9

Why does the YouTube video about Nell cause such a reaction?

The YouTube video exposes details from the first film that Nell had been hiding, including her pregnancy and the exorcism events. This revelation makes her an internet sensation, combining fear and fascination. The exposure of her traumatic past triggers Nell's emotional breakdown and fuels the demon's reassertion of control.

Foreshadowing: Nell's attempts to leave her past behind are established early in the film.

  • youtube
  • video
  • nell
  • internet
  • exposure
Q10

What is the significance of the doppelganger Nell sees?

The doppelganger represents the demon manifesting in Nell's form, as well as images of her deceased father and Chris. This manifestation is Abalam's physical attempt to show Nell the different aspects of her identity and those connected to her, urging her to fully accept the demonic transformation.

Foreshadowing: The demon has previously taken forms of those close to Nell.

  • doppelganger
  • father
  • chris
  • manifestation
  • abalam
Q11

Why does Nell enter a catatonic state at the hospital?

Nell enters a catatonic state as a psychological response to the traumatic possession and exorcism events from the first film. Her mind shuts down as a survival mechanism, trapping her in a state where she is unresponsive to external stimuli while the demon's influence works on her subconsciously.

Foreshadowing: The traumatic events of the first film are referenced in the opening discovery scene.

  • catatonic
  • hospital
  • trauma
  • nell
Q12

Why does the Mardi Gras celebration trigger the demon's return?

Mardi Gras represents a moment of vulnerability for Nell. The chaotic, mask-filled celebration mirrors the demonic imagery and energy, weakening her mental defenses. The masks worn by celebrants also parallel the false faces demons wear, allowing Abalam to reassert control more easily in this environment.

Foreshadowing: The shift in Nell's demeanor during Mardi Gras marks the beginning of her possession.

  • mardi gras
  • celebration
  • masks
  • return
  • demon
Q13

Why does Cecile help Nell and contact the Order?

Cecile helps Nell because she genuinely wants to save her from the demon. As someone aware of the supernatural threats surrounding Nell, Cecile reaches out to the Order of the Right Hand, believing they have the means to perform a proper exorcism and free Nell from Abalam's control.

Foreshadowing: Cecile's earlier disclosure about the Order watching Nell establishes her knowledge.

  • cecile
  • help
  • order of the right hand
  • salvation
Q14

Why does Nell start working as a chambermaid in New Orleans?

Nell becomes a chambermaid as part of her attempt to rebuild her life after the traumatic events of the first film. Working at the hotel managed by Beverly represents her path toward normalcy and independence, providing her with structure and purpose while she recovers from her psychological wounds.

Foreshadowing: Nell's recovery trajectory is shown through her progression from home to employment.

  • chambermaid
  • hotel
  • new orleans
  • job
  • recovery

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Last Exorcism Part II, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Last Exorcism Part II tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about psychological descent like The Last Exorcism Part II

Stories of characters gradually losing their will to a pervasive supernatural force. If you liked the psychological torment and demonic oppression in The Last Exorcism Part II, explore these movies about characters losing their will to a supernatural force. These similar horror stories feature a steady descent into darkness, internal struggles against evil, and bleak, harrowing conclusions.

  • terrifying
  • oppressive
  • sinister
  • hopeless
  • haunting
  • psychological
  • Tone: dark, terrifying, hopeless
  • Pacing: steady, methodical escalation
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern in this thread is a linear and escalating descent. A character, often already vulnerable, is targeted by an external evil. The story follows their failing attempts to resist, showcasing their psychological fragmentation and the entity's growing power, culminating in their ultimate corruption or destruction.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the internal, psychological horror of possession or supernatural influence. They prioritize a bleak, oppressive tone, a steady pacing that builds dread, and a narrative centered on the tragic loss of a character's autonomy and identity.

Slow burn supernatural horror movies like The Last Exorcism Part II

Tense horror films where a supernatural threat methodically closes in on the protagonist. Fans of The Last Exorcism Part II seeking similar slow-burn supernatural horror will find this collection compelling. These films share a high-intensity, dark tone, a steady pace of mounting terror, and themes of unavoidable doom where characters are hunted by an inescapable evil force.

  • anxious
  • claustrophobic
  • terrifying
  • sinister
  • haunting
  • unrelenting
  • Tone: dark, tense, anxious
  • Pacing: steady slow burn
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories unfold with a sense of predestined tragedy. The pacing is steady, not rushed, allowing the supernatural menace to feel ever-present and inescapable. The plot is often straightforward, focusing on the inevitable progression towards a catastrophic endpoint with little hope of salvation.

Why they belong together: These films are united by a specific vibe: a methodical, tense, and oppressive build-up of supernatural horror. They share a high intensity and dark tone, creating an experience of sustained dread where hope is extinguished, and the focus is on the chilling process of a character's downfall.

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Every angle

The Last Exorcism Part II (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Last Exorcism Part II in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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