Believe it or not, horror fans, but “The Conjuring” Universe is the genre’s most lucrative franchise ever. How profitable are we talking? $2.1 billion at the box office over eight films costing a mere $178 million to produce. Yup, James Wan and Peter Safran hit the cinematic motherlode with these movies, and their success looks like it’ll continue for a while.

READ MORE: The 25 Most Anticipated Horror Films Of 2023

So, it’s safe to say expectations are high for “The Nun II,” the sequel to the franchise’s highest-grossing entry, 2018’s “The Nun.” The ninth installment in “The Conjuring” Universe takes place four years after the events of the first film, with Taissa Farmiga‘s Sister Irene returning to face off against an ancient evil force she’s all too familiar with.

Continue reading ‘The Nun II’ Trailer: The Ninth Film In The Conjuring Universe Hits Theaters On September 8 at The Playlist.

Are you ready for a story? About a boy who puts his family in a bunker against their will? Then let me tell you about “John and the Hole,” the feature directorial debut of artist Pascual Sisto that debuted at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival after initially being selected for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival in May. A film that fashions itself as a parable for teenage adolescence and strife but muddies the waters so that when it comes to an end it all feels quite empty instead.

Continue reading ‘John And The Hole’: A Boy Plays Life & Death With His Family [Sundance Review] at The Playlist.

Nothing busts canons quite like living in interesting times. In our ongoing Inflection Point series, we look back at the films that have taken on new relevance due to our ongoing cultural and political upheaval. Some beloved, some undiscovered, these titles deserve newfound consideration as film criticism evolves to meet the moment.

In 2017, sociologist David Showalter published an essay on the influence of reality television on contemporary politics. Titled “Donald Trump and the Political Aesthetics of Reality Television,” Showalter’s article explored how the popularity of reality television has over the years bent our culture to its will, allowing for a mode of politics that conflates the superficial with the substantive.

Continue reading ‘The Bling Ring’ Is Sofia Coppola’s Ode To Entitlement & White Privilege at The Playlist.

If you’re a fan of classic horror, you’re no doubt aware of author Shirley Jackson. The legendary writer of “The Haunting of Hill House” has seen a bit of a resurgence in fan-appreciation thanks to the 2018 adaptation of the same name. But now, another one of her stories is being brought to life, the creepy “We Have Always Live in the Castle.”

As seen in the new trailer for the film, which we saw at last year’s Los Angeles Film Festival, Alexandra Daddario, Taissa Farmiga, and Crispin Glover star as a family of strange folks that live in a very large estate outside of town.

Continue reading ‘We Have Always Lived In The Castle’ Trailer: Alexandra Daddario, Sebastian Stan, & Crispin Glover Star In Creepy Horror Film at The Playlist.

Following up her debut success of 2013’s “Concussion,” filmmaker Stacie Passon finally returns with a new feature-length film that brings the horror and gloom of writer Shirley Jackson’s final novel “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” to life. Centered on a peculiar family, shrouded in an air of gothic mystery, Passon’s adaptation of ‘Live In The Castle’ is as equally foreboding and bewildering.

Merricat (Taissa Farmiga), Constance (Alexandra Daddario) and their Uncle Julian (Crispin Glover) live in isolation, banished by the neighboring townspeople after experiencing a family tragedy six years earlier.

Continue reading ‘We Have Always Lived In The Castle’ With Alexandra Daddario & Crispin Glover Is Obscure & Disturbing [LAFF Review] at The Playlist.

The lockstep nature of horror sequels is hard to escape. Once you’ve shown your hand, it’s difficult to keep bluffing. “The Conjuring” series is no exception, though it’s maybe a more heartbreaking one given the roundabout way that Warner Bros./New Line Cinema have gone about it by forgoing serialized sequels in favor of the Cinematic Universe approach. “The Nun” — a spinoff from the character introduced in “Conjuring 2” — cannot be accused of forgetting to pull out all the stops.

Continue reading ‘The Nun’ Doesn’t Learn From The Sins Of The Previous ‘Conjuring’ Films [Review] at The Playlist.

James Wan’s “The Conjuring” universe is a force to be reckoned with and it looks like we are about to be hit with the darkest version yet. The newest entry to the series is Corin Hardy‘s spin-off “The Nun” which will star Demian Bichir and Taissa Farmiga.

READ MORE: The Creepy Nun From ‘The Conjuring 2’ Is Getting A Spinoff Movie

Much like “Annabelle” and “Annabelle’s Creation,” the story of “The Nun” is also a prequel.

Continue reading ‘The Nun’ Trailer: ‘Conjuring’ Spin-Off Asks You To Pray For Forgiveness at The Playlist.

SXSW Review: Ti West's ‘In A Valley of Violence’ Starring Ethan Hawke, Taissa Farmiga, And John Travolta

Continue reading SXSW Review: Ti West’s ‘In A Valley of Violence’ Starring Ethan Hawke, Taissa Farmiga, And John Travolta at The Playlist.

SXSW Review: 'A Teacher' Director Hannah Fidell's '6 Years' Starring Taissa Farmiga & Ben Rosenfield

Continue reading SXSW Review: ‘A Teacher’ Director Hannah Fidell’s ‘6 Years’ Starring Taissa Farmiga & Ben Rosenfield at The Playlist.

Casting: Tom Hiddleston Sought For 'Ben-Hur' Remake, Michael C. Hall Joins Kubrick Miniseries & More

Continue reading Casting: Tom Hiddleston Sought For ‘Ben-Hur’ Remake, Michael C. Hall Joins Kubrick Miniseries & More at The Playlist.

Recap: Things Get Hot In 'American Horror Story: Coven' Episode 5, "Burn, Witch. Burn!"

Continue reading Recap: Things Get Hot In ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ Episode 5, “Burn, Witch. Burn!” at The Playlist.

Recap: Witches Get Suspicious In 'American Horror Story: Coven' Halloween Episode 'Fearful Pranks Ensue'

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Watch: Trailer For 'Inception'-Esque Thriller 'Mindscape' Starring Mark Strong

Continue reading Watch: Trailer For ‘Inception’-Esque Thriller ‘Mindscape’ Starring Mark Strong at The Playlist.

Recap: Things Get Witchy In First Episode Of 'American Horror Story: Coven'

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Cannes Review: Sofia Coppola's 'The Bling Ring' A Mostly Empty Exercise In Excess

Continue reading Cannes Review: Sofia Coppola’s ‘The Bling Ring’ A Mostly Empty Exercise In Excess at The Playlist.

Watch: Emma Watson Pole Dances In First Clip From Sofia Coppola's 'The Bling Ring'

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Continue reading Mark Strong, Brian Cox & Taissa Farmiga Join Jaume Collet-Serra’s ‘Mindscape’ at The Playlist.

'Warrior' Actor Carlos Miranda Joins Sofia Coppola's 'The Bling Ring' Plus Details On The Script

Continue reading ‘Warrior’ Actor Carlos Miranda Joins Sofia Coppola’s ‘The Bling Ring’ Plus Details On The Script at The Playlist.

'American Horror Story' Star Taissa Farmiga Joins Sofia Coppola's 'The Bling Ring'

Continue reading ‘American Horror Story’ Star Taissa Farmiga Joins Sofia Coppola’s ‘The Bling Ring’ at The Playlist.