Miss Esthe Facial Salon and Skin Care is offering great discounts to those who want age-defying and radiance-enhancing facials, face and body contouring and hair removal. Its branches are located at the 2ndfloor, Uptown Parade, BGC and at the 3rd floor, Glorietta 3.
The Early Bird Promo entitles clients to a 20% discount across all services from Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Glorietta branch. There is also a Buy 1 Get 1 on Hifu and Diode Laser, anytime, Monday to Friday until November 30, 2023.
A franchise from Miss Esthe in Tokyo, Japan, it was founded 30 years ago and has since been studying women’s skin seriously. Its products and treatments are perfect for different kinds of skin types and lifestyle. Among its services include various facials like anti-aging, whitening/deep whitening, acne treatment ,instant lifting and open pores treatment. Recently, it introduced new services such as hydrafacial, warts removal, Hifu, hydra peel, RF, underarm/face/inguinal laser and oshiri whitening.
Unique service- Decolette Touch/Massage
But what makes Miss Esthe stand out from the rest is its unique Decolette Touch that helps release tensed facial, neck and shoulder muscles and make them toned. It is also good for blood circulation and lymphatic drainage that improves your skin complexion, increase of skin elasticity and prevents skin aging. This one-of-a-kind massage comes free with all Miss Esthe facials.
Healthy, radiant and beautiful skin is possible with Miss Esthe Facial Salon and Skin Care.
Book an appointment now at Uptown mall BGC (+63935 336 4720/ 8366 2023) and at
Sarap Pilipinas is more than just an ordinary social media community; at its heart, it is a thriving virtual family of like-minded individuals who share a common passion for all things Filipino. Our primary objective is to promote and share the richness of Filipino hospitality through our culture and food, after all, we are what we eat.
Purveyors on Sept. 14 – 17 includes the ff brands:
And featuring – award-winning brands of Philippine Hot Sauce Club
This community serves as the newest social media hub for individuals and similar groups to connect, explore, and appreciate the diverse aspects of our beloved Philippines and all things Sarap by celebrating the flavors of Pinoy gastronomy, positive Filipino values and traditions, cultural education, historical trivia, our colorful roots and global impact, unique relationships and even our own brand of Pinoy humor.
Birthdays are uniquely special to every person celebrating it. For the celebrator, it’s a day where they gather their loved ones, string up balloons, and prepare for a day filled with laughter and, sometimes, even tears of joy as they mark their annual journey around the sun.
As each year comes as a gift, at the heart of this joyous celebration lies the centerpiece of every birthday feast – aGoldilocks cake.
Serving as a sweet symbol of love and new beginnings in every Pinoy handaan, a birthday celebration is never complete without Goldilocks. It is guaranteed to bring so much joy and excitement, making it the cake of choice for many Filipino households for 57 years now.
And this September – the most popular month for birthdays – Goldilocks makes every celebration extraordinarily wonderful with two new offerings that are perfect for your very own yearly thanksgiving day.
A luscious chocolate cake kids would want to dive into
Kids go loco for choco! You won’t go wrong with Goldilocks’ newest offering, Luscious Chocolate – a delicious treat for chocolate lovers priced at only P540. This double-layered masterpiece boasts two indulgent layers of chocolate chiffon, generously filled and iced with velvety chocolate frosting. But that’s just the beginning of its chocolatey charm!
What sets this cake apart is its exquisite design, showcasing the top and bottom adorned with two-toned chocolate buttercream icing that’s as mesmerizing as it is mouthwatering. And if that weren’t enough to make your taste buds dance with delight, there’s an added surprise – a sprinkle of chocolate chips on top of delicate rosettes, giving the cake a light crunch and a burst of even more chocolatey goodness. It’s essentially a chocolate heaven in cake form that kids and kids-at-heart will definitely enjoy.
After all, when it comes to birthdays, there’s no such thing as too much chocolate!
A magical explosion of colors and flavors
Equally extraordinary is the Rainbow Magic cake – Goldilocks’ most colorful cake ever that’s sure to make every birthday celebration more vibrant. As you cut into this magical round cake, you will be greeted with not one, not two, but three layers of sheer goodness!
At 590 pesos, each layer represents a different flavor adventure – from the classic and comforting vanilla to the fruity and vibrant strawberry, and finally, the uniquely Filipino ube flavor. In between these layers are a delightful surprise: ube and strawberry buttercream that adds a creamy, dreamy texture and a burst of flavor that perfectly complements each layer.
This festive chiffon cake is topped with rainbow-colored rosette and sprinkles, making it a feast for the taste buds and the eyes. You and your child will surely love the explosion of colors and flavors all in one slice!
So whether it’s Luscious Chocolate or Rainbow Magic (or both!), Goldilocks cakes are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a celebration of joy and love. After all, it’s not just a cake; it’s a memory in the making.
As you celebrate your special day in this colorful world, make it filled with extraordinary joy with Goldilocks!
For more information on how you can #CelebrateBirthdays with #GoldilocksPH, follow Goldilocks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also check out Goldilocks’ menu and order via GrabFood, FoodPanda, or throughwww.goldilocksdelivery.ph.
“Na-’hack’ ako!” – This has become a common catchphrase for the increasing number of people finding unauthorized transactions on their e-wallets and bank accounts. This comes as no surprise because according to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, cybercrimes increased by 152% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year, and the popularity of e-wallets have made it an easy target for criminals.
However, the term ‘hacking’ is often confused with “phishing”, another notoriously common type of cybercrime activity. While both end in malicious individuals gaining control over a user’s account, it’s critical for users to know the difference to better protect themselves.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a kind of cyber attack wherein cybercriminals pretend to be a legitimate source to trick users into giving personal information to gain access to accounts and steal the funds. For e-wallets, fraudsters may call or send a message via email, SMS or social media platforms pretending to be an employee or a company representative to get the victim’s Mobile Personal Identification Number (MPIN) and One-Time Password (OTP) or authentication code.
What is Hacking?
Hacking refers to an unauthorized attempt by a criminal to access sensitive information on a device or network. This is done by taking over a system through force or sophisticated methods.
What’s the difference?
Both phishing and hacking involve unauthorized ways of gaining sensitive information, but they are being done differently. In hacking, cybercriminals take advantage of vulnerabilities of devices and networks to gain access to sensitive information. It is therefore important for users to only use apps that are credible, reliable, and have strong security measures in place to prevent criminals from hacking the system.
On the other hand, phishing scams, derived from the word fishing, are designed to ‘bait’ victims so they will be tricked into giving sensitive information. This becomes highly dependent on the users because fraudsters rely on them to unknowingly give the information needed to access their accounts through fake websites, fake sign-up forms, or fake portals.
As cybercriminals become more creative, some phishing attempts are now designed to appear as a hacking attack. Cybercriminals ‘phish’ information from thousands of users over a certain period, but don’t immediately use these data to steal funds. All this phished information is then used to steal funds at the same time. With the large number of victims noticing that their funds have been stolen simultaneously, it would look like a massive hacking attack, especially if the victims no longer recall sharing their personal information.
The good news is that phishing scams can be prevented if you know how to spot them. Here are safety practices you can observe to protect your e-wallet account from the phishing attacks:
Double up on security measures
Make use of additional safety measures found in your e-wallet app. Aside from requiring you to enter your MPIN, e-wallet apps also send the OTP as an additional security measure to verify your identity. GCash also has a DoubleSafe Face ID, which prompts users for a selfie scan every time they login using a new device, to make sure that it is the Verified Account Owner who has access to the account.
Think and rethink before you act
Review the sender and the content of a suspicious message even before responding or clicking on the link. If you are being offered rewards or prizes, backtrack if you have indeed joined a program or raffle and verify with the company through another channel.
Remember that GCash will never send links via SMS, email and messaging apps and all legitimate rewards and promos will only be communicated through the official GCash app, so never click on links claiming to be from GCash.
Double-check the message that comes with the OTP
Legitimate e-wallet transactions may ask you to enter your OTP as an added security feature. If you receive an OTP through text message, make it a habit to read the entire message and make sure that it matches the request you made. If you did not make the request or if it is different from what you want to do, do not enter your OTP on any site or send it to anyone, to make sure you are not unknowingly linking your account to another device.
Be wary of limited time offers and urgent requests
Advisories or offers that instill a sense of urgency is almost always a sign of phishing scams. Legitimate companies will give you enough time to make a decision and will not ask you to provide your MPIN or OTP to resolve a concern, verify your identity or claim a reward.
If you are being told that your GCash account is on hold, confirm this through the official GCash app. GCash will never ask you to verify your account through a phone call or through messaging applications.
Never share your OTP and MPIN
Never provide your personal information if you did not initiate a request. As a rule, don’t provide sensitive information, such as your OTP and MPIN, even to your family, friends and other people claiming to be representatives of banks, companies, service providers and government agencies. Remember that GCash will never ask these details from you.
If you encounter phishing scams and fraudulent activities targeting your GCash account, you may report by visiting the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com/hc/en-us or messaging Gigi on the website and typing, “I want to report a scam.”
Directed by Um Tae-hwa, Concrete Utopia is loosely based on Part 2 of the hit webtoon “Joyful Outcast” (“Pleasant Neighbors”) and stars an ensemble of A-list Korean actors including Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-jun, Park Bo-young, Park Ji-hu, Kim Do-yoon and Kim Sun-young. It is a disaster thriller about the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The film will follow the story that begins when the survivors gather at Hwang Gung Apartments, the only building left standing in an earthquake-ravaged Seoul.
The film is a sobering parable, following its characters’ gradual descent into ruthless tribalism in a way that eerily mirrors so many contemporary global events.
Lee Byung-hunPark Bo-youngPark Seo-jun
Concrete Utopiaopens in Philippine cinemas September 20. Can’t wait? Catch a sneak preview today. Sneak previews are available only until September 12. For the list of cinemas, see here.
Ayala Land has launched the One Ayala, a mixed-use development in the heart of Ayala Center Makati that serves as a one-stop hub for travel, lifestyle, events, and connectivity.
Situated at the corner of Ayala and EDSA and just beside Glorietta 4 and 5, One Ayala boasts six impressive retail floors spanning over 43,000 square meters with more than 400 stores including dining outlets like Denny’s and Randy’s Donuts, offering a diverse range of shopping options. It aims to create a premier destination for shopping, leisure, and events, offering a diverse array of experiences and amenities within the mall. Set to launch in October 2023, the mall will feature a supermarket and bank on the lower ground level to casual dining and cafes on the upper ground level, along with captivating modern art installation on the terminal concourse. Visitors can enjoy a diverse selection of shopping options within the complex.
The One Ayala will feature a variety of restaurants and shops, including:
NYX, exclusively available at One Ayala, an exciting new luxury buffet restaurant concept from The Vikings Group, will take your tastebuds on a global journey, offering a wide variety of dishes;
Bom Gosto!, a Southern European restaurant from The Vikings Group Philippines and led by Chef Chele Gonzalez that will entice your senses and give you a blend of tastes from Italy, spices from Portugal, and a bit of Spanish fun;
Manduca, a Spanish tapas bar that true to its name that means “to eat” will offer a variety of small plates for you to munch on, which you can pair with a variety of wines;
Khao Khai, a restaurant that gained popularity in Poblacion for their unconventional take on Thai street food. Khao Khai Thai Chicken House is opening their biggest branch in One Ayala to bring in more people to bond over their famous Gai Tod Thai fried chicken;
Tiger Sugar, who, after taking the milk tea industry by storm with their Brown Sugar Milk variants, will be introducing a bold and exciting new Asian-inspired menu;
NeNe Chicken, one of Korea’s leading fried chicken brands with over 1500 locations in 11 different countries worldwide, who will be opening their first branch in the Philippines at One Ayala;
Ikinari Steak, with over 300 stores in Japan, brings quick, affordable, and delicious steaks to Makati, making them accessible to everyone.
ISSY, a modern self-care brand that sells affordable beauty and skincare products, who will be opening their first standalone branch, and;
Robinsons Supermarket’s first branch in Makati, where shoppers will be spoiled for choice with its wide variety of fresh produce, meat products, grocery staples, and imported brands.
One of the highlights of One Ayala is Makati’s first trade hall located on the fifth level with a total of 2,700 square meters. This new space provides entrepreneurs and businesses a platform to showcase their products and services. With four trade halls available, One Ayala aims to support the growth of local businesses and foster a thriving community.
One Ayala: An intermodal transport hub for seamless travel
At the heart of One Ayala is the One Ayala Terminal, conveniently accessible to those coming from the Makati Central Business District, with its entrance right along Ayala Avenue. Commuters are welcomed by an air-conditioned lobby which leads to a naturally-ventilated transport hub that integrates various modes of mass transportation in a single venue. The hub contains a bus terminal where commuters can ride the P2P (point-to-point) bus, UBE Express bus to NAIA Terminals 1-4, city buses like the EDSA Carousel, as well as buses going to nearby Sta. Rosa, Alabang, and the like. There is also a PUV terminal which was transferred from Park Square, where commuters can ride PUJs and UV Express. The second level also connects to the MRT Ayala Station, McKinley Foot Bridge and soon to Glorietta 5. The EDSA Busway Ayala stop is one of the most utilized stops, and the transfer from its former location at the curbside of EDSA has greatly benefitted thousands of commuters while providing commuters with comfort, convenience, and safety.
“One Ayala is an iconic addition to the Makati skyline that serves a unique purpose,” says Christopher Maglanoc, President of Ayala Malls. “Being an inclusive city, we would like to ensure that we provide the proper transport infrastructure to serve all members of our community. We believe that by providing accessibility, convenience, and a vibrant hub for retail and dining all in one place, we can make a positive impact on people’s lives.”
With the mall set to fully open this year, One Ayala is definitely a game-changer in the way people live, work, and play in Makati CBD and beyond. With its commitment to convenience, accessibility, and diverse range of experiences, One Ayala is a testament to Ayala Malls’ dedication to providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for its customers.
Attention, Cebuano foodies! Your gastronomic journey is about to get even more exciting. The online food and grocery giant, foodpanda, has extended its unique Dine-in program to all its users in the vibrant city of Cebu. A city renowned for its rich culinary heritage, this is your chance to amplify your dining experiences.
Initially, the Dine-in feature was a special treat for the loyal pandapro members. But with its burgeoning success since its introduction in June, foodpanda has decided to make this service accessible to everyone. All these mouthwatering experiences are just a tap away on your foodpanda app.
Unlock a Gastronomic Adventure
No more constraints! Whether you’re in the mood for local delights, international cuisine, or simply an exciting new dish to perk up your palette, the Dine-in program is here to cater to every whim. Let’s explore the top 3 delectable benefits of using foodpanda Dine-in:
Discount on Your Total Bill Don’t miss out on this chance to embark on a delightful gastronomic adventure, complete with up to 25% discounts on your total bill! Foodies can now relish their favorite dishes from top-notch restaurants while enjoying a pocket-friendly experience. With every dine-in order made through the foodpanda app, you’ll be delighted to see the savings add up, making it an unbeatable dining choice.
Savor Your Favorite Restaurants What’s even more exciting is that Dine-in offers an impressive lineup of your favorite restos in Cebu, ensuring an extraordinary dining experience that will leave you craving for more. From local eateries serving authentic delicacies to international hotspots offering global cuisines, foodpanda Dine-in has got it all covered!
Seamless Payment Method – Know Your Discount and Pay through the App Gone are the days of awkwardly splitting bills or waiting for the check to arrive. With, “Redeem & Pay”, the payment process becomes a breeze because you can simply pay through the app without any hassle. This seamless payment method enhances the overall dining experience and saves you precious time.
Here’s how it works. Search for a restaurant deal that catches your eye.
Click “Redeem & Pay” to avail up to 25% discounts on your total bill.
Input the original amount of your bill, and the app will automatically display the discounted amount.
Click “Confirm” to proceed.
Double-check the details and click “Redeem & Pay.”
Choose your preferred payment method.
Voilà! You’re all set to relish your meal while enjoying exclusive savings.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Dine-in program to all foodpanda users in Cebu,” said Patricia Jacinto, director of growth at foodpanda Philippines. “With a wide array of top-notch restaurants to choose from, combined with the convenience of the redeem-to-pay feature, we are dedicated to catering to the diverse tastes and preferences of our valued customers.”
“This also perfectly aligns with our brand philosophy, ‘Live like a panda,’ which encourages people to pursue what matters to them. With this new move, we can bring joy to the palates of Cebuano food enthusiasts, providing them with unforgettable moments and culinary delights.”
Ready for your next unforgettable meal? Hop over to the foodpanda app and tap the Dine-in feature. Or, for a broader view, swing by foodpanda.ph.
For the latest news and delicious updates, make sure to like and follow foodpanda on their official social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and Youtube. Download the foodpanda app today or visit https://www.foodpanda.ph to experience the delight of Dine-in.
Headlined by Korean superstars Lee Byung-hun (‘Squid Game,’ ‘Mr. Sunshine’), Park Seo Jun (‘Itaewon Class,’ ‘Dream’), and Park Bo-Young (‘Strong Girl Bongsoon’), the dystopian science fiction film ‘Concrete Utopia’ is a hard-look at civilization at the cold-hard grip of a disaster. It is a 129-minute relentless character study of the human race on survival mode. It is unafraid to get scary, poignant, and surprisingly funny.
Without warning, a massive earthquake ravages the city of Seoul and, in the most fantastical way, only one apartment building has remained untouched after the devastation. This touch of magic elevates the film into the level of a dark fable or a cautionary tale. At the start, the residents of the apartment building has taken in outsiders looking for shelter but as thieving and violence begins to erupt, the residents decide to take control of the space and kick everyone else out. A governing body is then formed and a system is enacted to keep the peace and to ensure the resident’s survival.
We see this through three perspectives: Lee Byung-hun’s Yeong-tak, who becomes the defacto leader when he shows decisive decision-making skills when a fire erupts early on, Park Seo Jun’s Min-sung, a civil servant who feels overwhelmed by the current state of the world, and his wife Myeong-hwa, played by Park Bo-young, who is a nurse and who is desperately clinging on to her humanity as the world gets fiercer and meaner.
Lee Byung-hun is delivering a magnificent performance of an ordinary man who is thrust with so much power. We can literally see his character change as he starts to enjoy the power and adoration he gets from the leadership position he now holds. Lee shows off his magnificent range here and is able to convey his character’s darkest corners with physically transforming on screen when his character starts to get drunk with power.
On the flip-side, Park Bo Young serves as the moral compass of the film. She is witness to the discrimination and bullying that is happening within the system and as much as she wants to fight against it, she’s also feeling alone in a world that has become worse during survival mode.
But while Lee and Park are doing excellent portrayals of these typical characters in such events, it’s Park Seo Jun’s Min-sung that is the most textured and refreshing to see. We’ve seen Park Seo Jun from common and brusque as he was in ‘Midnight Runners’ and ‘Fight for My Way’ and we’ve also seen him in refined and elegant and powerful like in ‘What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?’ and ‘She Was Beautiful.’ Min-sung is a whole new character for Park, who invokes a sense of the everyman in Min-sung. He is unambitious and unassuming. He wants to be just below the radar and while he is determined to protect his family – Myeong-Hwa – he also doesn’t want to rock the boat too much. It’s a layered performance that isn’t as flashy as Lee Byung-hun but it helps truly sell the film’s premise of a world succumbing to darkness and how people just give in to stay alive.
Boasting of fantastic special effects scenes of the destruction of Seoul, director Um Tae-hwa adeptly balances the larger, more spectacular aspects of his story with the more tender, most intimate moments of the narrative. He easily switches from comic – sometimes even campy – to the deadly serious as the story unfolds and it keeps the movie interesting. After the initial eviction of the non-residents, a scene that is immensely tension-filled and riveting, the film then cuts to a portion much like a corny, AVP that shows life in the apartment building. It’s funny but also scary, when you feel the contrast between the images and the tone of the moment. It’s aspects such a these that keeps the film from falling completely within Western mainstream Hollywood disaster films.
It’s also incredible to see Park Seo Jun, the superstar of so many top Kdramas and movies, play someone so passive, so easily corrupted. He is torn between the seductive pull of Yeong-tak’s credo of survival and the love of his kind-hearted wife Myeong-hwa. Min-sung then becomes the fulcrum by which the film has the most to say.
‘Concrete Utopia’ hits all the necessary narrative beats to stay enjoyable and riveting throughout its rather dark and disturbing look at humanity but it also manages to say what it has to say about our human capacity for caring for others. It’s not subtle at all but it’s well-executed that it’s worth every penny.
My Rating:
Concrete Utopia is now showing in sneak previews at your favorite cinemas on September 11 and 12, one week before the regular release on September 20. Get your tickets and screening times here.
New Line Cinema’s latest installment, “The Nun II,” has once again sent shivers down the spines of horror enthusiasts in the Philippines. As the newest chapter in “The Conjuring” Universe, this film, directed by Michael Chaves and produced by Peter Safran and James Wan, made a hair-raising debut, securing the top spot at the box office with an impressive PHP 90 million in its opening weekend on September 6.
A representative from Warner Bros. Distributors (WBD) expressed their excitement, stating, “This weekend’s success is a testament to the high want-to-see factor of fans of “The Conjuring” Universe, the evergreen franchise that continues to frighten cinemagoers around the globe. New Line Cinema has become the ‘haunted’ home of horror, and ticket buyers were back for more of the iconic Demon Nun, continuing its evil trek across Europe. We are excited by these impressive opening numbers and anticipate that great word of mouth will continue to drive business in the coming weeks as we head into Halloween.”
About the Film
Set in 1956 France, “The Nun II” unveils a chilling tale of murder and malevolence. The storyline follows Sister Irene, portrayed by Taissa Farmiga (“The Nun,” “The Gilded Age”), as she confronts the malevolent demon nun Valak once again.
Returning cast members include Jonas Bloquet (“Tirailleurs,” “The Nun”) as Maurice, Storm Reid (“Missing,” “The Suicide Squad”) as Sister Debra, Anna Popplewell (“Reign,” “The Chronicles of Narnia” trilogy) as Kate, and Bonnie Aarons (reprising her role from “The Nun”) reprising her role as the Demon Nun. They are joined by a talented ensemble of international actors, including Katelyn Rose Downey (“The Princess”) as Sophie, Suzanne Bertish (“Dead Ringers”) as Madame Laurent, Léontine D’Oncieu (“Two Tickets to Greece”) as Simone, Anouk Darwin Homewood (“The Flood”) as Celeste and Gael Raës (“Simone: Woman of the Century”) as Cedric.
Michael Chaves (“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It”) directs the film, with a screenplay by Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing (“Eli,” “The Autopsy of Jane Doe”), and Akela Cooper (“M3GAN,” “Malignant”). The story is based on characters created by James Wan and Gary Dauberman.
The Safran Company’s Peter Safran and Atomic Monster’s James Wan produce, continuing their collaboration as filmmakers on all of the previous “Conjuring” films. “The Nun II” is executive produced by Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria Palmeri, Gary Dauberman, Michael Clear, Judson Scott and Michael Polaire.
“The Conjuring” Universe stands as the highest-grossing horror franchise in history, with a global box office exceeding $2 billion. Notably, four of its titles have crossed the $300 million mark worldwide: “The Nun” ($366 million), “The Conjuring 2” ($322 million), “The Conjuring” ($320 million), and “Annabelle: Creation” ($307 million). Each of the seven films in the franchise has grossed over $200 million.
“The Nun” remains the franchise’s top-earning film, with a staggering $366 million in worldwide earnings.
Presented by New Line Cinema and produced by Atomic Monster and Safran Company, “The Nun II” is distributed globally by Warner Bros. Pictures. This spine-tingling horror film is currently showing in theaters, inviting brave souls to experience the terror firsthand.
Join the conversation online and share your thoughts using the hashtag #TheNun2.
It has been around 5 years since ‘The Nun’ has scared its way to a 365-million box office payday and, while reviewing my critique of that movie, and realising how much I disliked the first movie, I’m quite surprised at how much better ‘The Nun II’ is in comparison to its predecessor.
‘The Nun II’ has a more grounded story as it takes its time to build characters that we can invest in so that when the demon nun Valak returns, there are people we can empathize with and genuinely root for. While the film, set in the 50s and just a few years after the events of the first move, it still has a contemporary feel that can affect the reality of the world that is created but at least the film is not as ridiculous as the first.
In this movie Valak has returned and by possessing a body, it has begun a killing spree across Europe. Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) is sent on a mission to find Valak and stop her (as she had done in the first movie) and this time she is joined by an American novitiate Sister Debra (Storm Reid). While the two sisters are giving chase, Valak is now haunting a girl’s boarding school in France where Maurice (Jonas Bloquet), called “Frenchie” in the last movie, is now working. Here, he has taken to a young student Sophie (Katelyn Rose Downey) and her mom, Anna Popplewell. It seems that Valak is looking for something and it might just be in the boarding school.
Again, ‘The Nun II’ offers nothing new to the genre. It is another case of demon possession and the typical battle between good and evil, as represented by the church (Sister Irene) and the devil (represented by the demon Valak). There is no representational aspect to the horrors of this movie, as directed by Michael Chaves and written by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and Akela Cooper.
But at the very least, there’s a bit more story now as the film tries to connect what Valak is after to Sister Irene’s past, which honestly comes off as unrealistically fortuitous. It’s such a mainstream connection, a deus ex machina (pun intended), that works around the singular hero trope and complete with mystical relic. There’s no mystery or wonder to these spiritual artefacts and are instead just used as simply as tools or weapons against the demon. It’s this Western treatment of spiritualism that takes away from the magic and thrill out of the supernatural.
But while the film now has a heart – from the relationships between Maurice, Sophie, and her mother and even from the friendship formed between Sister Irene and Sister Debra – which grounds the plot and gives the horror a place of actual fear; director Michael Chaves has some very interesting directorial set ups that gives actual cinematic fright for the audiences.
Taking advantage of Valak’s appearance, and using the black shade of the nun’s habit, he allows the camera to linger in darkness where Valak may just suddenly appear. He does some pretty fun and cool scary sequences that is sometimes predicated by Marco Beltrami’s aggressive score. There are some genuine scares here as well as a few enjoyable jump scares that makes ‘The Nun II’ quite a ride. While I was having trouble connecting to the film, I was enjoying the thrill of tension and suspense that was created by the filmmaking. While the movie ended and I felt nothing new or surprising when it finished, I felt that it was still a good time in the cinema. A good movie to watch with friends.
My Rating:
The Nun II is now showing. Check the screening times and buy your tickets here.
