Actor Song Hye-kyo, right, plays Sister Yunia in the upcoming film "Dark Nuns." Courtesy of NEW

Starting her acting career in the 1990s, Song Hye-kyo has starred in numerous hit TV dramas, including "Autumn in My Heart" (2000), "All In" (2003) and "Descendants of the Sun" (2016), often playing "pretty" characters.

The 43-year-old actor, however, began transforming her acting style with the Netflix series "The Glory" (2022), moving away from portraying kind, gentle and beautiful characters to playing a victim of school violence, who though outwardly stoic, is filled with inner rage and seeks revenge.

This shift in her career has shown fans that Song is not just all about romance roles, but also possesses a remarkable range as an actor. In her upcoming movie "Dark Nuns," she takes this a step further, as she reveals a darker side to her.

"Dark Nuns," the sequel to the 2015 movie "The Priests," delves into the dark world of exorcism, depicting a desperate struggle to save a young boy (Moon Woo-jin) possessed by a powerful demonic entity.

Building on the success of "The Priests," which attracted over 5.4 million moviegoers, "Dark Nuns" has generated high expectations among fans of the original film and enthusiasts of the often-underrepresented occult genre in Korean cinema.

A scene from "Dark Nuns" / Courtesy of NEW

To satisfy those fans, "Dark Nuns" features more extensive and detailed exorcism scenes, intensifying the suspense. The film maintains a consistently ominous atmosphere, with more explicit portrayals of demonic possession that amplify the horror.

Song delivers a strong performance as Sister Yunia. Her character breaks the mold of traditional nun portrayals, smoking cigarettes and using bad language in her determination to save the possessed boy. Her portrayal of the nun showcases her versatility as an actor and her willingness to take on challenging and unconventional characters.

Alongside Song, Jeon Yeo-been also shines as Sister Mikaela, who's also a psychiatrist and assists Sister Yunia. She is initially skeptical of the supernatural but eventually helps Sister Yunia.

The chemistry between the two lead actors adds depth to the story, while Moon Woo-jin's chilling performance as the possessed boy adds another layer of horror to the film.

Actor Jeon Yeo-been in a scene from "Dark Nuns" / Courtesy of NEW

The surprise cameo by Gang Dong-won, reprising his role from "The Priests," will surely delight fans of the original film. It also hints at potential future installments in the franchise.

The symbolic imagery, direction and art direction, effectively visualizing the characters' inner turmoil, are also noteworthy. The film's darker tone and more graphic depictions of evil spirits elevate the horror elements, creating a truly unsettling experience for viewers.

Director Kwon Hyeok-jae's skillful use of symbolic imagery and artistic effects adds depth to the characters' psychological struggles, enhancing the overall cinematic experience.

Despite some underdeveloped plot points, like the investigation into the evil spirit, "Dark Nuns" delivers thrills for fans of "The Priests" and new audiences. The movie, which will hit theaters on Friday, right before the beginning of the Lunar New Year holiday, promises to captivate viewers with its unique blend of horror, drama and spiritual exploration.