The Conjuring 2 (2016) is a supernatural horror film directed by James Wan and based on the real-life case of the Enfield Poltergeist in England during the late 1970s. The film follows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they confront one of the most dangerous and emotionally intense hauntings of their careers.
THE OPENING: THE AMITYVILLE VISION
The film begins with Ed and Lorraine Warren investigating the infamous Amityville house in New York. During a séance, Lorraine attempts to connect with the spirits that supposedly haunted the Lutz family.
While in the vision, Lorraine experiences the grisly murder of the DeFeo family, seeing Ronald DeFeo Jr. shoot his parents and siblings. But the vision takes a darker turn when Lorraine encounters a demonic nun-like entity standing in the hallway.
The demon reveals itself as a powerful, malevolent force. Lorraine then receives a horrifying vision of Ed dying violently, impaled by a large object. Terrified that this vision may be a prophecy, she begs Ed to stop taking dangerous cases.
THE HODGSON FAMILY HAUNTING
Meanwhile, in Enfield, London, the Hodgson family—single mother Peggy and her four children—begin experiencing strange disturbances in their council house.
The second-oldest child, Janet, starts sleepwalking and talking about an imaginary old man sitting in her chair. Soon after:
- Furniture begins to move on its own
- Knocking sounds echo through the walls
- Toys fly across the room
- The children hear deep, growling voices
One night, Janet is violently thrown from her bed by an unseen force. The terrified family calls the police, who witness a chair sliding across the floor by itself. News spreads, and the case gains public attention.
THE WARRENS ARE CALLED TO ENGLAND
The Catholic Church becomes involved but wants to verify the haunting before performing an exorcism. They ask Ed and Lorraine Warren to travel to England and investigate.
Lorraine is hesitant because of the vision she saw of Ed’s death. However, Ed convinces her that they must help the family.
When they arrive at the Hodgson house, they meet the children and begin observing the activity. They notice that Janet appears to be the main target of the entity.
THE GHOST OF BILL WILKINS
Through investigations and recordings, the Warrens discover the spirit of Bill Wilkins, an elderly man who once lived in the house. Using Janet as a vessel, the spirit speaks through her in a deep, raspy voice, claiming:
- The house belongs to him
- He died in his favorite chair
- He wants the family gone
The Warrens initially believe that Bill Wilkins is the main spirit haunting the home.
DOUBTS AND DECEPTION
As the case becomes more public, skeptics begin to question the haunting. A piece of footage shows Janet bending a spoon, making it look like she might be faking some of the activity.
Because of this, the Church becomes uncertain and withdraws the Warrens from the case, believing it may be a hoax.
Ed and Lorraine return home, disappointed and conflicted.
LORRAINE’S TERRIFYING REALIZATION
Back in the United States, Lorraine continues to experience visions of the demonic nun. She realizes that the entity she saw earlier is not Bill Wilkins.
Instead, the nun is a powerful demon using Wilkins’ spirit as a puppet. Its real goal is not the house—it wants to break Lorraine’s faith and ultimately kill Ed.
Lorraine finally sees the demon’s name spelled out in her visions: Valak.
Knowing the truth, she rushes back to England to save Ed and the Hodgson family.
THE FINAL CONFRONTATION
Back at the house, the haunting reaches its peak. Janet becomes fully possessed, and the demon tries to force her to jump from a window, recreating Lorraine’s vision of Ed’s death.
Ed climbs out onto the ledge to save Janet, just as the structure begins to break apart.
Lorraine arrives in time and confronts the demon. Using the name she learned—Valak—she commands the entity back to Hell. Naming the demon weakens its power.
Valak is violently pulled away, and the haunting ends.
Ed saves Janet, and the family is finally freed from the entity’s control.
THE AFTERMATH
The Warrens return home safely. Lorraine’s vision of Ed’s death never comes true because she was able to change the future by confronting the demon.
In the final scenes:
- The Hodgson family begins rebuilding their lives
- Ed adds the Crooked Man toy from the case to his collection of haunted artifacts
- Peace returns to both families
THEMES AND MEANING
The Conjuring 2 focuses on several emotional and spiritual themes:
- Faith as protection against darkness
- Family bonds in the face of fear
- Love as a source of strength
- Demons feeding on doubt and despair
Unlike many horror films, the story emphasizes emotional connection and hope, not just fear.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Conjuring 2 (2016) is considered one of the best modern horror sequels. It combines terrifying supernatural moments with strong character development and emotional depth, making the story both frightening and heartfelt.
