Dark Nuns is deeply connected to The Priests as both movies belong to the same supernatural universe and deal with exorcisms, demonic possessions, and the battle between good and evil. The Priests was the first film to introduce the idea of 12 evil spirits, which are considered powerful demonic entities that exist in this universe. Dark Nuns expands on this concept by focusing on Gamigin, one of these spirits, and how it possesses a young boy named Hee-Joon. This connection makes it clear that the events of both films are part of a much larger story, where different religious figures, including priests, nuns, and even shamans, must fight against these dark forces.
In The Priests, the main focus was on Catholic exorcisms performed by ordained priests, which followed traditional rituals. However, Dark Nuns takes a different approach by highlighting nuns, particularly Sister Juniya, who is not allowed to perform exorcisms but still chooses to fight against evil. The film also introduces the concept of “demon spawns,” individuals born from possessed mothers who have special abilities. This was not a major theme in The Priests, but it plays a crucial role in Dark Nuns, making it clear that the supernatural elements of this universe are expanding. Since Sister Juniya and Sister Michaela are both demon spawns, their unique abilities allow them to confront demons in ways that priests cannot, showing a shift in how exorcisms are performed in this universe.
The ending of Dark Nuns strongly hints at a sequel, continuing the story of the battle against the 12 evil spirits. After Sister Juniya sacrifices herself to destroy Gamigin, the film does not conclude with complete closure. Instead, there is a scene where Deacon Choi, a character from The Priests, appears at Juniya’s grave. His presence is significant because it links the two movies directly and suggests that the fight against demons is far from over. When Sister Michaela approaches him and asks where they are going next, he simply replies that they will go wherever the 12 evil spirits are. This statement confirms that more demonic entities are still out there and that the battle is ongoing.
Sister Michaela’s character development throughout Dark Nuns also plays an important role in setting up a sequel. In the beginning, she follows Father Paolo, a priest who refuses to believe in demonic possession and instead assumes that cases like Hee-Joon’s are psychiatric issues. However, after witnessing the horrors of possession firsthand and seeing Sister Juniya’s sacrifice, Michaela fully embraces her abilities as a demon spawn. She realizes that she cannot ignore the supernatural world any longer and decides to take on a more active role in fighting evil. Since Juniya is no longer alive, Michaela might step into her place as the next strong female exorcist, continuing the mission to defeat the remaining evil spirits.
There is also the possibility that Hee-Joon’s story is not completely over. While the film ends with him being saved, the fact that he was believed to be a demon spawn raises questions about his future. Since demon spawns have special abilities, it is unclear whether Hee-Joon will develop powers of his own or if he will still be a target for demonic possession. If a sequel happens, Hee-Joon’s fate could be explored further, showing whether he is now free from danger or if he will play a bigger role in the ongoing war against the 12 evil spirits.
The way Dark Nuns ends makes it clear that this universe is far from finished. By introducing new supernatural elements like demon spawns and expanding the battle against the 12 evil spirits, the movie lays the groundwork for more stories to come. With Deacon Choi and Sister Michaela now seemingly working together, the next film could explore their journey as they track down and confront the remaining demons. Whether it follows traditional exorcisms like The Priests or continues to blend different spiritual practices like Dark Nuns, the franchise has opened up many possibilities for future films.