The Nun
When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order's unholy secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force in the form of the same demonic nun that first terrorized audiences in 'The Conjuring 2,' as the abbey becomes a horrific battleground between the living and the damned.
Despite a respectable budget of $22.0M, The Nun became a massive hit, earning $366.1M worldwide—a remarkable 1564% return.
2 wins & 1 nomination
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Nun (2018) showcases carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Corin Hardy's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Two nuns discover a dark portal in the abbey. One commits suicide rather than face the demon, establishing the terrifying supernatural threat.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Father Burke and Sister Irene receive their mission from the Vatican: investigate the unholy suicide at the remote Cârța Monastery in Romania.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Irene and Burke choose to enter the abbey gates at night, crossing into the demon's domain. They commit to uncovering the truth despite the supernatural danger., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Irene discovers the nuns she's been seeing are all dead—she's been alone with the demon. The revelation that Valak has been deceiving them and the gateway is fully open. False defeat: they've already failed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Burke is trapped in a coffin underground, slowly suffocating in his grave—a literal "whiff of death." Irene believes she's failed and the demon has won., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Final confrontation with Valak in the abbey. Irene uses the blood of Christ to seal the demon back through the portal. Burke performs the exorcism on possessed Frenchie. Faith triumphs over evil., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Nun's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Nun against these established plot points, we can identify how Corin Hardy utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Nun within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Two nuns discover a dark portal in the abbey. One commits suicide rather than face the demon, establishing the terrifying supernatural threat.
Theme
The Vatican official tells Father Burke that some mysteries require faith to confront: "God has a purpose for you." Theme of faith confronting darkness stated.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Sister Irene at the convent preparing to take her vows, Father Burke haunted by a failed exorcism, and Frenchie the local who discovered the body. The Vatican assigns them to investigate the suicide at the Romanian abbey.
Disruption
Father Burke and Sister Irene receive their mission from the Vatican: investigate the unholy suicide at the remote Cârța Monastery in Romania.
Resistance
Journey to Romania, meeting Frenchie who guides them through the dark forest. They debate entering the cursed abbey, learn its history, and prepare to investigate despite warnings from locals.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Irene and Burke choose to enter the abbey gates at night, crossing into the demon's domain. They commit to uncovering the truth despite the supernatural danger.
Mirror World
Sister Irene meets the other nuns of the abbey who represent faith and devotion. Their silent presence suggests the spiritual battleground where her faith will be tested.
Premise
Exploring the haunted abbey, encountering demonic visions and attacks. Discovering the abbey's dark history: a portal to hell that requires constant prayer to contain. Irene has visions revealing the truth while Burke faces his guilt.
Midpoint
Irene discovers the nuns she's been seeing are all dead—she's been alone with the demon. The revelation that Valak has been deceiving them and the gateway is fully open. False defeat: they've already failed.
Opposition
Valak intensifies attacks, separating the group. Burke is buried alive, Irene is tormented by visions, Frenchie is possessed. They struggle to find the relic needed to seal the gateway as the demon grows stronger.
Collapse
Burke is trapped in a coffin underground, slowly suffocating in his grave—a literal "whiff of death." Irene believes she's failed and the demon has won.
Crisis
Irene's darkest moment as she faces her own doubts and fears. Burke struggles for life underground. They must each find faith within themselves to continue.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Final confrontation with Valak in the abbey. Irene uses the blood of Christ to seal the demon back through the portal. Burke performs the exorcism on possessed Frenchie. Faith triumphs over evil.