The Nun is a horror movie that explores the origins of the demonic entity Valak, who first appeared in The Conjuring 2 as a terrifying nun. The movie follows Sister Irene, a young nun who has visions of Mary, and Father Burke, a priest who investigates supernatural phenomena, as they travel to a remote convent in Romania where a nun has committed suicide. There, they encounter Valak and the dark secrets of the abbey.
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Nun is the connection between Sister Irene and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigator who is played by Vera Farmiga in the main Conjuring series. Sister Irene is portrayed by Taissa Farmiga, the real-life sister of Vera Farmiga, and the two actresses look very similar. Moreover, both characters have visions that link them to the spiritual world and to Valak. So, are they related in some way? Here are some possible theories and explanations.
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Theory 1: Sister Irene is a young Lorraine Warren
This is the most obvious theory, given the strong resemblance between the two actresses and the fact that The Nun is set about 20 years before The Conjuring. According to this theory, Sister Irene is Lorraine’s maiden name, and she was a nun before she met and married Ed Warren, her partner in paranormal investigations. This would explain why she has visions and why she encounters Valak in both movies.
However, there are some problems with this theory. First of all, Lorraine Warren was born in 1927, which means she would be 25 years old in 1952, when The Nun takes place. Taissa Farmiga was 23 years old when she filmed The Nun, so the age difference is not too big, but it still seems unlikely that Lorraine would be a novice nun at that age. Secondly, Lorraine Warren never mentioned being a nun or having any connection to the abbey in Romania in any of the Conjuring movies. She also did not recognize Valak when she saw him in The Conjuring 2, which suggests that she did not remember her encounter with him in The Nun. Thirdly, Lorraine Warren’s real-life biography does not mention anything about her being a nun or having any visions as a child. She claimed that she was clairvoyant since she was seven years old, but she did not attribute it to any religious experience.
Theory 2: Sister Irene and Lorraine Warren are sisters
Another possible theory is that Sister Irene and Lorraine Warren are sisters, or at least half-sisters. This would explain their physical resemblance and their shared visions. According to this theory, Sister Irene was born to Lorraine’s father and another woman, either before or after Lorraine was born. Sister Irene was then raised by the church and became a nun, while Lorraine grew up with her father and mother. This would also explain why they have different last names and why they never met or mentioned each other in the movies.
However, this theory also has some flaws. First of all, there is no evidence that Lorraine Warren had any siblings in real life or in the movies. Secondly, it seems unlikely that Sister Irene would not know or try to find out about her biological family, especially if she had visions of Mary pointing the way. Thirdly, it seems odd that Valak would target both sisters separately and not reveal their connection to them or to anyone else.
The simplest and most plausible theory is that Sister Irene and Lorraine Warren are not related at all, and that their resemblance and visions are just coincidences. According to this theory, Sister Irene is just a random nun who happens to look like Lorraine Warren and who has visions of Mary because of her faith and devotion. She encounters Valak because he is drawn to her by her purity and innocence, and because he wants to use her as a vessel to enter the world. Lorraine Warren is just a random woman who happens to look like Sister Irene and who has visions of Valak because of her clairvoyance and her involvement in paranormal cases. She encounters Valak because he wants to stop her from interfering with his plans and because he wants to kill her husband Ed.
This theory makes sense from a narrative perspective, as it avoids any complicated explanations or contradictions with the established facts of the Conjuring universe. It also makes sense from a casting perspective, as it allows Taissa Farmiga to play a different character than her sister Vera Farmiga without having to explain their connection or resemblance. It also allows for some creative freedom and artistic license in creating a horror movie that does not have to follow the real-life biography of Lorraine Warren or any historical accuracy.
Conclusion
The truth behind the mystery of Sister Irene and Lorraine Warren’s relationship may never be revealed definitively, as it depends on how the filmmakers choose to interpret their characters and their stories. However, based on the available evidence and the logic of the Conjuring universe, the most likely theory is that they are not related at all, and that their resemblance and visions are just coincidences. This theory allows for a more straightforward and consistent narrative, and does not require any retconning or rewriting of the established facts of the movies. However, fans are free to speculate and imagine their own theories, as long as they enjoy the horror and suspense of The Nun and the Conjuring series.
