Warrior Nun’s second season improves on the first in every aspect. The nuns, the combat against demons, the love attraction, and the somewhat clumsy language.
I knew Netflix’s Warrior Nun had finally found out what type of program it was when the stately nun took a rifle and began to wipe out a room full of demon-infested priests — and that episode was entertaining as hell.
Warrior Nun, a Netflix program about a young nun who returned from the dead and was gifted with abilities by an angel’s halo to combat evil forces (yes, really), debuted in 2020. That first season was adequate.
It was tolerable while doing laundry or playing video games, but with an incredibly sluggish first half, I wasn’t going to recommend it to friends or family. The second season, which debuted on November 10th, is much more assured of itself.
It appears that one of the most engaging CW superhero series was shot on location in Spain and took the time to choreograph and edit very violent and entertaining battle scenes. This suggests that the acting spans from “this individual may win an Oscar in 20 years” to “this person will earn a living attending conventions.”
The characters are walking stereotypes with just enough charm to keep you watching, and the pacing is so fast-paced that you’ll probably become angry that you never get to hang out with these nuns for a filler episode. The ease with which the second season of Warrior Nun rushes through its storyline, on the other hand, is a pleasant shift from the first season and makes the program an easy and enjoyable weekend binge.
But first, let me explain what Warrior Nun is all about. The title is self-explanatory, but like the program, it lacks subtlety. Warrior Nun follows Ava (Alba Baptista), a young woman who spent the majority of her youth in an orphanage after a car accident killed her mother and disabled her. In season one, a nun from the Order of the Cruciform Sword hides an angel’s halo in Ava’s corpse, which brings Ava back to life and grants her abilities.
Because the halo and powers usually go to an OCS nun, who then leads the rest of the order in their battle against demons, there’s a lot of tension between Ava, who’s excited to be walking, and also, you know, alive, and the nuns, who need her to become a warrior, a leader, and a mature adult as soon as possible.
Also read: Breathe Into The Shadows Season 2: Amazing acting amidst sloppy writing
Season 1 concluded with Ava unintentionally releasing the original halo bearer, Adriel (William Miller), an angel who may or may not be a demon, and fled the Vatican as Adriel possessed everyone around him.
Season 2 sees Ava on the run with her closest friend and crush, Beatrice (Kristina Tonteri-Young), a Cruciform Sword Order nun who is exceptionally skilled in combat. Beatrice is attempting to train Ava, while the other nuns devise a means to stop Adriel, who is forming a cult and ready to challenge the Pope and the Vatican once more.
When the mysterious new stranger Miguel (Jack Mullarkey) appears and gives Ava a route back into the fight, she must decide how far she would go and what type of skills she will develop to lead the struggle against Adriel.
The show was shot in Spain, and it shows. Car chases take place on small cobblestone alleyways, battles take place in centuries-old castles and churches, and stunning mountain vistas serve as the background for informal talks at random. While the majority of the program is in English, the characters never hesitate to speak Spanish, Italian, or even German when the situation calls for it. It all adds to the show’s nicer vibe than it could otherwise have on The CW and SyFy.
Warrior Nun, on the other hand, looks good and seems nicer due to the setting. This program appears to have been lit with care, and the action scenes are nearly always flawlessly shot and edited. It has a far higher production value than I would expect from a schlocky show about nuns fighting demons.
After more than a decade of most fantasy series, such as Warrior Nun, being made in Vancouver and starring a slew of known Canadian actors, it’s refreshing to see one starring people I’m more accustomed to seeing in European art house films. It gives the show a new and unique atmosphere. As a result, when the action begins and nuns begin doing sophisticated coordinated stunts and wirework, everything feels a little more ridiculous and thrilling.
Warrior Nun’s second season finishes on a cliffhanger, and there’s no news on whether Netflix will continue the show for a third season. Warrior Nun, on the other hand, is a terrific pick for an enjoyable weekend distraction or a respite from God of War Ragnarök.
Warrior Nun is available on Netflix.
