The Nun 2 is finally haunting theaters in the United States, and many fans wonder whether The Conjuring Universe film is based on a true story. Is The Nun 2 based on a true story? Was Maurice Theriault a real person who was possessed? Here’s what you need to know.
Is The Nun 2 based on a true story?
The Nun 2 isn’t based on a true story.
What you see in The Nun 2 is heavily fictionalized, pretty much like the whole The Conjuring Universe. While someone called Maurice Theriault (portrayed by Jonas Bloquet in The Nun duology) really existed and was also involved in a mysterious case of exorcism, there is no evidence Theriault, a.k.a. Frenchie, was living in an all-girl boarding school in France in 1956. The same is true for the first The Nun film, which is vaguely inspired by 1986’s The Name of the Rose, starring Sean Connery.
The real Theriault, a Canadian man from New Brunswick, is known for his involvement in an alleged exorcism in the 1980s. After claiming to be possessed by demons, exorcism attempts were performed by various individuals, including members of Theriault’s family and religious figures. The case attracted media attention in addition to sparking discussions about exorcisms, religious beliefs, and mental health. It’s important to note that the events surrounding the exorcism case have been met with skepticism by some.
In The Conjuring Universe, Theriault is one of the cases Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) deal with. Unfortunately for Frenchie, the exorcism doesn’t go according to plans, and Theriault attempts to kill his wife before shooting himself.
The Nun 2 started its theatrical run on September 8, 2023.
For more The Nun 2-related content, check out the scene that almost “broke” director Chaves. Also, watch this nail-biting clip from the film.
