Absolutely. The Nun is a horror film that serves as a prequel to The Conjuring series, specifically taking place 20 years before the events of the first Conjuring film. However, it is important to note that The Nun is also designed to be a standalone film, meaning you can enjoy it and follow the story without having seen any of the previous Conjuring movies.
The Nun tells the origin story of the demonic nun character, Valak, who was introduced in The Conjuring 2. The film takes place in Romania and follows a young nun, Sister Irene, and a priest named Father Burke, who are sent by the Vatican to investigate the mysterious suicide of a nun in a remote abbey. As they delve deeper into the abbey’s dark secrets, they encounter supernatural forces and must confront their own fears to survive.
While The Nun does have connections to The Conjuring universe and expands upon the mythology established in the previous films, it does a good job of providing enough context and exposition for newcomers to understand the story and enjoy the scares. The film introduces the characters and the central conflict in a way that doesn’t require prior knowledge of the Conjuring series.
Of course, if you have seen The Conjuring films, you may have a deeper appreciation for The Nun, as it adds layers to the larger narrative and provides additional backstory for Valak. However, it is not necessary to have seen the previous movies to understand or enjoy The Nun.
As a horror fan, I can personally attest to the fact that I watched The Nun without having seen any of the Conjuring films beforehand and still found it to be an engaging and frightening experience. The film stands on its own as a solid horror movie, with its atmospheric setting, suspenseful moments, and creepy visuals.
You can definitely watch The Nun without having watched the Conjuring films. It is a standalone horror movie that provides enough context and scares to be enjoyed on its own. However, if you are familiar with the Conjuring series, you may have a deeper appreciation for the connections and references within The Nun.