The Nun

The ending of The Nun reveals that Valak, the demonic entity disguised as a nun, was once a terrifying ancient evil unleashed during the Dark Ages when a duke attempted to open a gateway to hell. The Catholic Church sealed the portal using the blood of Christ, but the seal was broken during World War II when bombs damaged the abbey, freeing Valak. From that point on, the demon sought a new host in the Romanian convent, where it terrorized the nuns and nearly broke free a second time, leading to their deaths and the events depicted in the film.

As Father Burke and Sister Irene discover the truth behind the abbey’s dark history, they attempt to banish Valak using a vial of Christ’s blood, which Irene strategically uses to confront the demon. During their final struggle, Irene manages to spit blood at Valak, seemingly banishing it back to hell. However, the film’s closing scenes reveal that Valak’s evil was not entirely defeated. After they bury the surviving nuns, the camera lingers on Maurice, the French-Canadian farmer, who has an upside-down cross marked on his neck—a sign that Valak has possessed him. This twist shows that Valak survived and, having taken Frenchie as a new host, is now free to return into the world beyond the Romanian cloister.

In the film’s epilogue set in 1971, we see the Warrens presenting on the demon’s influence, linking the events of The Nun to the original Conjuring. Maurice’s attack in the first scene of The Conjuring hints that Valak has been lurking in the background, preparing to re-emerge. The story leaves open the possibility of future confrontations, with Valak potentially returning in a The Nun sequel or further entries in the Conjuring universe, continuing to threat the characters and testing their faith. Ultimately, while our heroes seem to have overcome the demonic threat for now, the film suggests that Valak’s malevolence is far from gone, hanging in the shadows and waiting to resurface.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00