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Kwon Hyeok-jae's Dark Nuns isn't just another exorcism thriller. It defies the usual trappings of demon-possession films, avoiding cheap jump scares and excessive CGI in favour of something far more unsettling: a slow-burning, visually arresting battle between faith and reason, male dominance and defiance, belief and doubt.

Officially a spin-off of 2015's The Priests, directed by Jang Hyun, this South Korean drama-exorcism film finds its strength in haunting cinematography, layered storytelling, and some truly gripping performances-most notably from Song Kyo in one of her most commanding roles yet.

The film follows Sister Giunia (Song Hye-Kyo) and Sister Michela (Jeon Yeo-been), two nuns who embark on a perilous exorcism that is as much about confronting deep-seated institutional sexism as it is about driving out a malevolent force.

Dark Nuns stands apart by fusing Catholic rituals, Korean shamanism, and tarot mysticism into an intricate web of spiritual warfare, making it more than just a battle against demonic possession - it's a reckoning with centuries of patriarchal control over both the religious and medical realms.

The chemistry between Song Hye-kyo and Jeon Yeo-been is electric. As Sister Giunia, Song commands the screen with raw intensity, portraying a nun whose faith is unwavering yet deeply personal. She is unafraid to challenge authority, even as she faces forces - both human and supernatural - that seek to silence her.

Meanwhile, Jeon Yeo-been's Sister Michela begins as a sceptic, rejecting Giunia's methods outright. However, as terrifying visions consume her, she turns to the ancient art of tarot to make sense of her reality.

What starts as opposition slowly morphs into an uneasy alliance as the two women navigate an exorcism unlike any before.

Beyond its thematic depth, Dark Nuns is visually stunning. The cinematography drenches every frame in a moody, gothic beauty, where candlelit corridors and looming cathedrals create an atmosphere thick with tension.

The set design is meticulous, enhancing the film's eerie realism, while the sound design - whispers in the dark, the crackle of tarot cards, the deep echoes of sacred chants - ensures an immersive experience.

What makes Dark Nuns truly compelling is its exploration of faith and reason, never offering easy answers.

In a world where religion and medicine are often at odds, the film dares to ask: must they be? Or can they coexist in a larger, divine plan?

By the time the final act arrives - harrowing, thought-provoking, and beautifully ambiguous - one thing is certain: Dark Nuns is a refreshing, sophisticated take on the exorcism genre, proving that true horror lies not just in the supernatural, but in the very institutions that shape our understanding of good and evil.

I don't understand what's the movie was all about?! It was super boring and long and not scarry at all. The plot is just blah and nothing's good about this movie, so irrelevant, I can't stop hoping it will end soon, this is another movie after Joker 2 that I feel like nonsense and just blah in every scene. They wanted to make this nun look cool but they just making her like a stress woman who wanted to beat demon hahahahaha! Oh man... I thought Korean movies are always good. They are better in making zombie movies or sad movies. And that kid in the movie, why was he so special that he got possesed so bad?! So many whys in this movie, my teenager son were sleeping during the movies.

The three major reasons I watched this South Korean horror movie are that South Korea is one of my favourites countries for movies, that horror is one of my favourite genres, and that I never pay too much attention to negative reviews as most of the people are just never satisfied. The three reasons I should not have watched this movie are that not all South Korean movies are excellent, that possession movies have been done over and over again and even though you never know that you might stumble on a gem this one was not one of them, and that this time the negative reviewers were right. It's just a repetitive snooze fest, not enough action and apart from the actor playing the possessed the rest wasn't very convincing. It's been awhile since I watched a bad South Korean movie, hopefully the next one will be better again.

I don't do horror movies but watched it because of Song Hye Kyo, glad it wasn't to scary. Acting was really good she stepped up her game from The Glory and that was a masterpiece. Cinematography was great story was straight forward tell you the truth I was nervous that I wasn't going to like it but it exceeded my expectations. Definitely Worth the watch. Her character was the best one in the movie and she stole every scene lol her acting was a 10 others I would rate a 7 not a fan of JYB I literally dropped everything she was in but surprisingly even though her character was annoying at first I started to like her in the end a little bit of an over actor but I liked watching them together. Ending was interesting once again it's worth the watch.

I've been waiting for Song Hye Kyo to take on another darker role after her performance in The Glory. Sadly Dark Nuns was probably not the right vehicle to show case her talent.

I enjoy slow paced films, however there has to be some sense that the plot is moving along, drawing you in and keeping you captivated. Korean horror is usually very good at this, for example the excellent Exhuma ( released last year) created a balance of intrigue and suspense that kept you glued to your seats for the whole time. Unfortunately Dark Nuns fails in this area and just becomes boring at the end.

The actors were not challenged enough by the script and direction so their talents were lost in the complicated mechanisms of the Catholic Church. I liked the idea of highlighting the nuns work in what has typically been an extremely male focused domain but without the tools to do this, the lead actresses floundered.

A missed opportunity for Song Hye Kyo to cement the next stage of career as there are only so many romantic/melo roles that she can do now, due to her age. She quickly needs to find something that stretches her talents to give her the gravitas she is seeking for the next part of her acting career.