‘The Nun II’s Goat Demon Takes Inspiration from ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’
In the dark and twisted world of the Conjuring universe, ‘The Nun II’ adds a spine-chilling new creature to its roster – the goat demon. Director Michael Chaves sheds light on the origins of this demonic entity, and it turns out that it draws inspiration from none other than ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula,’ a classic in the horror genre.
As the Conjuring franchise continues to terrify audiences and rake in billions at the box office, ‘The Nun II’ steps in as the latest installment, bringing back the sinister Sister Valak while introducing an eerie goat demon that seems to be an extension of her malevolent powers. As we eagerly await its release on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD, I had the opportunity to sit down with director Michael Chaves to delve into the creation of this monstrous addition.
Goats have long been associated with devilish imagery throughout history, and their presence in horror films has been on the rise, with movies like ‘Drag Me to Hell’ and ‘The Witch.’ When asked about the decision to include the goat demon in ‘The Nun II,’ Chaves humorously addressed the comparisons to ‘The Witch’s’ Black Phillip, quipping, “You know, honestly, I love the Black Phillip, ‘It’s a crossover!’ Guys, you found it out. We’re breaking it here: it’s a [The] Witch crossover with the Conjuring universe. We’re expanding. [Laughs] No, that’s a joke.”
But in reality, the goat demon was always part of the story, dating back to horror writer Akela Cooper’s initial draft. Chaves shared his enthusiasm for the concept, saying, “That monster was already in Akela’s first draft. I love the idea of a goat demon. I was like, ‘Oh man, how do we make this look right?’ Because we hadn’t seen any real monsters, it’s usually much more implied in the Conjuring movies, but I wanted to see more of him.”
The true inspiration for this tactile monster, however, came from the 1992 film ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula.’ Chaves revealed that both he and Corin Hardy, the director of the first ‘The Nun’ movie, were deeply influenced by this cinematic masterpiece. In ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula,’ there’s a memorable jump scare featuring practical effects as Dracula’s bat-like creature emerges from a closet. In ‘The Nun II,’ the goat demon terrorizes students at a boarding school while Sister Irene faces off against Valak once more. Chaves explained that they used ‘Dracula’ as a starting point to craft a more tangible and physical monster than what viewers had seen in previous Conjuring films.
“I knew Corin [Hardy] drew a lot of inspiration from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and I thought, ‘I love that movie.’ I really connected with Corin as we talked about that. So I went back, and I loved, in Bram Stoker’s Dracula—I don’t know if you remember or if you’ve seen it—the bat creature. The bat creature that comes out of the closet is so awesome, it’s like practical effects, and I was like, ‘Oh my god, I gotta do that. I gotta put that type of monster in the movie.’ So that was the main inspiration, and then we just kind of went from there, and I think it really worked. It was also very surprising. You know, we hadn’t seen such a monster in that fashion that was very physical and tactile. Usually, they tend to be more demons, and I think that that’s kind of what took people by surprise.”
As ‘The Nun II’ continues to haunt audiences, it’s fascinating to learn about the creative process behind the goat demon and its connection to the iconic ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula.’ If you’re a fan of horror and practical effects, this is one monster reveal that’s sure to leave you with nightmares. ‘The Nun II’ is currently available on Max in the U.S., and you can grab your copy on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, or DVD starting November 14. Stay tuned at FilmSweep for more insights from our conversation with director Michael Chaves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Goat Demon Inspiration
What inspired the creation of the goat demon in ‘The Nun II’?
The goat demon in ‘The Nun II’ drew inspiration from the practical effects used in ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula,’ particularly the memorable bat creature scene. Director Michael Chaves and his team wanted to bring a more tactile and physical monster to the Conjuring universe.
Was the inclusion of the goat demon a recent decision for ‘The Nun II’?
No, the goat demon was part of the story from the beginning, dating back to the initial draft by horror writer Akela Cooper. It was always envisioned as a key element in the film.
How does the goat demon differ from other monsters in the Conjuring universe?
The goat demon stands out as a more physical and tactile monster compared to the more implied and supernatural entities seen in previous Conjuring movies. Its inspiration from ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ gave it a unique and surprising presence in the film.
Can I watch ‘The Nun II’ now?
Yes, ‘The Nun II’ is currently available on Max in the U.S. You can also look forward to purchasing it on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, or DVD starting on November 14.
Are there more insights from the director, Michael Chaves, about the film?
Yes, you can find more insights and details about ‘The Nun II’ in our extended conversation with director Michael Chaves. Stay tuned at FilmSweep for additional information and behind-the-scenes revelations.
More about Goat Demon Inspiration
- The Nun II on Max
- Bram Stoker’s Dracula
- Conjuring Universe
- Michael Chaves
- Akela Cooper
- The Witch
- Drag Me to Hell
- The Nun
- Black Phillip
- Practical Effects
- Sister Irene
- Valak
- The Conjuring
- FilmSweep
