Reviews: The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist (2016) Movie Review / Ending Explained / FAQs
Subgenres: Demons, Featured Supernatural, Supernatural, Haunted House - Investigation, Psychic, Single Moms
Horror fans searching for a breakdown of The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist (2016) will find our review covers the plot, themes, and the shocking ending everyone talks about.
The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist (2016) – A Haunting Return of the Warrens
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist brings back the real-life paranormal duo, Ed and Lorraine Warren, in one of their most terrifying cases yet. This installment takes the audience across the Atlantic to 1977 London, where a single mother and her children are being tormented by malevolent forces. The central figure of this chaos is young Janet, who begins to exhibit signs of supernatural possession, attracting media attention and skepticism from the public.
Thematically, this chapter focuses heavily on faith, fear, and family unity, anchoring the supernatural elements in deeply personal struggles. The Warrens’ unwavering commitment to each other and to their calling adds depth to the storyline. Janet’s vulnerability is portrayed with raw authenticity, making the viewer feel every chilling moment of her descent into the unknown.
Acting, Cinematography, and Direction
The cast delivers strong, emotionally grounded performances. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga once again embody Ed and Lorraine with a quiet strength and chemistry that make their characters believable amidst chaos. Madison Wolfe, playing Janet, impresses with a disturbingly convincing portrayal of a girl under siege by forces beyond her understanding.
Cinematographer Don Burgess creates a cold, damp, claustrophobic mood that pulls the viewer into the rundown Hodgson home. The camera work is tight, suspenseful, and atmospheric, using long takes and slow pans to build unease rather than rely on cheap jump scares. Director James Wan continues to master his craft, weaving together tension and emotional beats that elevate the horror genre.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
James Wan proves once again why he’s one of the most respected names in horror. His approach to The Conjuring 2 blends real-world fear with a supernatural lens. His methodical pacing builds dread gradually, allowing the fear to sink in without overwhelming the viewer too early.
Strengths:
Effective use of sound and silence to control tension
Compelling character development—especially for Janet and Lorraine
Visually immersive period-accurate setting
Integration of multiple hauntings that tie together neatly
Weaknesses:
Some viewers may find the film’s runtime a bit lengthy
The subplot involving the Crooked Man may feel slightly underdeveloped compared to the main haunting
Final Verdict & Score: 8/10
The Conjuring 2 offers a chilling follow-up that does more than recycle old scares. With a grounded emotional core and masterfully crafted set pieces, it manages to balance heart and horror in ways that feel fresh yet familiar. While not flawless, it’s a strong entry in the franchise and a standout among modern supernatural horror films.
The final score of 8/10 reflects the film’s overall execution, strong performances, and directorial quality. This score also aligns with its position in the horror community as a respected and well-crafted sequel.
Who Will Enjoy It
Fans of true-event-based supernatural horror
Viewers who appreciate character-driven storytelling
Anyone looking for a haunting, atmospheric experience
Who Might Be Disappointed
Fans expecting non-stop action or gore
Those looking for a faster-paced, slasher-style experience
Most Searched FAQs for The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist (2016)
Is The Conjuring 2 based on a real haunting?
Yes, The Conjuring 2 is inspired by the widely publicized Enfield poltergeist case in London during the late 1970s. The Hodgson family reported supernatural disturbances involving their young daughter Janet, which drew the attention of paranormal investigators, including the Warrens.Who is the main ghost in The Conjuring 2?
The central spirit is an elderly man named Bill Wilkins, who claims to have died in the house. However, deeper into the story, it’s revealed that a more sinister entity known as the Demon Nun is actually manipulating events behind the scenes.What role does the Demon Nun play in The Conjuring 2?
The Demon Nun is the true antagonist, hiding behind the poltergeist activity. It targets Lorraine Warren through visions and orchestrates the chaos at the Hodgson home. This figure would later become the focus of its own standalone film.What is the Crooked Man in The Conjuring 2?
The Crooked Man is a terrifying entity that manifests through a zoetrope toy and nursery rhyme. While it seems to act independently, it’s later understood to be another tool used by the Demon Nun to torment the family and mislead the investigators.How are Ed and Lorraine Warren involved in the Enfield case?
The Warrens are called in to determine the legitimacy of the haunting. While initially skeptical due to conflicting evidence, Lorraine’s visions and Ed’s experiences uncover the deeper evil at work, reaffirming their belief that something truly malicious is present.Was the haunting in The Conjuring 2 proven to be real?
While the film dramatizes events for cinematic effect, the real-life case remains controversial. Some investigators believed the children faked some incidents, while others, including the Warrens, maintained that the supernatural events were genuine.What is the meaning behind Lorraine Warren’s visions in The Conjuring 2?
Lorraine receives premonitions about Ed’s possible death and sees the image of the Demon Nun repeatedly. These visions serve as warnings and ultimately help her identify the true threat by uncovering the demon’s name, which gives her spiritual power over it.Why is knowing the demon’s name important in The Conjuring 2?
Knowing the demon’s name gives Lorraine the ability to banish it. In the climactic moment, she calls it by its true name, stripping it of its power and saving both Ed and Janet from deadly fates.How does The Conjuring 2 connect to other films in the franchise?
The events in this film deepen the lore of the franchise. The Demon Nun character introduced here became central to later stories, and references to other haunted items and entities hint at future installments, including Annabelle and The Nun.Is The Conjuring 2 appropriate for younger viewers?
Due to intense suspense, frightening imagery, and themes of possession, the film is best suited for mature audiences who are fans of supernatural horror. It is not recommended for young or sensitive viewers.
The Conjuring 2: Ending Explained
In the climactic sequence, Ed Warren rushes to save Janet, who is about to fall to her death under demonic influence. Meanwhile, Lorraine, armed with a vision from earlier in the film, remembers the demon’s name—Valak—which she had unknowingly written in her Bible. By speaking the demon’s name with conviction, she regains spiritual power and confronts it directly.
This act banishes the entity, freeing Janet and restoring peace to the Hodgson household. Ed and Lorraine leave London, their bond even stronger, having survived yet another harrowing encounter with forces beyond understanding. The film ends with a poignant moment as they add the haunted artifacts from the Enfield case to their growing collection of supernatural evidence.
Similar films like The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist can be found in demon movies sub-genre(s), check them out for more movies like The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist Rating Scores
- Our Score: 8/10
- Overall Score: 7.52/10
- IMDB: 7.3/10
- MetaCritic: 6.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 8.0/10
Look here for more movies starting with T and here you can find 2016 movies to watch on your favorite streaming service.
Browse: Must See Best Demon Movies / Demon Movies List & Demon Movies List