From the isolated Gothic setting to the portentous atmosphere established early on, “The Nun” is surprisingly engaging and satisfying for horror fans. It’s not particularly scary, focusing as it does instead on momentum and old-fashioned eeriness in lieu of heavy shocks and scares, and ultimately the movie plays like an imaginative “Indiana Jones”-style adventure wrapped inside a horror movie. Taissa Farmiga is an engaging, compelling heroine, and she’s well-matched by charming sidekick Jonas Bloquet, who steals scenes left and right. There are some gaps in logic and a few missed opportunities that hold it back from greatness but it’s got its moments.
Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)
