Dark Nuns (2025) Full Synopsis
The narrative centers on Sister Junia (Song Hye-kyo), a nun who, despite being unordained and battling terminal cancer, is determined to save Hee-joon (Moon Woo-jin), a young boy possessed by a powerful evil spirit. When the Church’s ban on exorcisms and the absence of an available priest hinder immediate action, Junia defies ecclesiastical law to perform the forbidden ritual herself.
Assisting her is Sister Michaela (Jeon Yeo-been), a fellow nun and former medical professional who is initially skeptical of demonic possessions. However, after witnessing inexplicable phenomena, Michaela joins Junia in the perilous exorcism attempt. Their efforts are complicated by Father Paolo (Lee Jin-wook), a psychiatrist who firmly believes in medical treatment over spiritual intervention.
As the nuns delve deeper into the exorcism, they uncover a series of chilling events and a dark secret within their convent. The film explores the tension between faith and science, the challenges of confronting institutional constraints, and the personal sacrifices made in the battle against evil.
Main Cast
- Song Hye-kyo as Sister Junia: A determined nun who defies Church law to save Hee-joon.
- Jeon Yeo-been as Sister Michaela: A fellow nun and former doctor who assists in the exorcism.
- Lee Jin-wook as Father Paolo: A priest and psychiatrist advocating for medical treatment.
- Moon Woo-jin as Hee-joon: A young boy possessed by a malevolent spirit.
- Huh Joon-ho as Father Andrea: A priest who performs a ritual to save Hee-joon.
- Kim Gook-hee as Hyo-won: A shaman who aids in the exorcism.
- Shin Jae-hwi as Ae-dong: Hyo-won’s disciple.
- Gang Dong-won as Deacon Choi: A cameo role.
🎬 Production and Release
Filming took place from February to May 2024. The film was pre-sold to 160 countries, including Indonesia, Taiwan, Mongolia, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Laos, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. It was released in South Korea on January 24, 2025, and became available on various video-on-demand platforms starting March 4, 2025.
📈 Reception
Upon release, Dark Nuns garnered significant attention, earning $4 million in its first week. In Indonesia, it surpassed one million admissions, reflecting its popularity in the region. The film was nominated for several awards at the 2025 Baeksang Arts Awards, including Best Actress for Song Hye-kyo, Best Supporting Actress for Jeon Yeo-been, and Best New Actor for Moon Woo-jin.
🧠 Themes and Style
Beyond its horror elements, Dark Nuns delves into themes of faith versus science, the role of women in religious institutions, and the intersection of Catholicism with Korean shamanistic traditions. The film is noted for its atmospheric tension and the strong performances of its lead actresses, particularly Song Hye-kyo’s portrayal of Sister Junia.
