It's been two and a half years since horror director James Wan scared our pants off with the admirably old-fashioned haunted house flick The Conjuring , starring Patrick Wilson (Fargo) and Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) as actual paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Now, he's back with the next chapter in the couple's saga, with a sequel pulled from another of their real-life case files: That of the Enfield Poltergeist. (It's the same case that was documented in the 2015 British series The Enfield Haunting starring Timothy Spall and Matthew Macfadyen.) This Thursday, the first trailer for The Conjuring 2 dropped to ensure that we all have a sleepless night heading into the final day of our busy work week. Thanks a lot, James Wan.
According to The Telegraph, the real documented case of the haunting in Enfield, London, consisted of "sofas floating and tipping over; beds, tables and chests of draws spinning on the spot and flung over; stones flying right over the house; coins dropping out of the air in front of him; [and] dogs barking in the middle of completely dogless rooms." The activity reportedly peaked with some corporeal phenomenon:
On one particularly frantic day, Maurice and a neighbour heard one of the daughters crying out "I can’t move! It’s holding my leg!" They rushed out to find Janet’s sister Rose standing on the staircase on one leg, with the other leg stretched out behind her. The neighbour grabbed one small wrist and Maurice grabbed the other. They both pulled as hard as they could. Rose didn’t move.
That should be more than enough fodder for Wan to craft another movie just as frightening as the first Conjuring. Sure enough, these moments from the trailer prove that The Conjuring 2 is going to be a fright to remember:
1. This Ominous Toy
Annabelle the possessed doll was the terrifying breakout star of the first Conjuring — so much so that she got her own spinoff. Naturally, Wan will once again be employing children's toys to spooky effect. That tent in the hall was creepy enough before the carousel turned itself on, thank you very much.
2. This Word Of Warning
"It said it wants to hurt you." "When did it say that?" "Right now." I am 100 percent positive that that is the precise moment I would get the heck out of dodge. If a poltergeist says he wants to hurt you, he probably means it. (Unless it's Peeves in Harry Potter, then he probably just wants to stick bubblegum up your nose.)
3. This Truly Terrifying Shadow
Literally WTF. I do not want to meet whatever is casting that shadow. Please keep it far far far far away from me, kthxbai.
4. This Nightmare
Yep, I have a pretty good idea what my dreams are going to consist of tonight. At least I know ahead of time, I guess. Yay?
5. These Creepy Crosses
That can't be good...
6. This Guy
NOPENOPENOPENOPENOPE.
The horrifying thing is, these two minutes of terror are only a taste of what James Wan is going to unleash on us this summer. Now, isn't that a comforting thought?
The Conjuring 2 will scare its way into theaters on June 10, 2016. In the meantime, check out the trailer here... just be sure to check your house for poltergeists first.
Images: Warner Bros. Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures/YouTube (7)
