‘Conjuring 2’ is a terrifyingly solid horror sequel

“The Conjuring 2” is such a solid horror film, you won’t even think to pick it apart while it’s happening.

[...] it makes more sense to sleep together in one spot like a pile of puppies, instead of maintaining separate bedrooms.

Hell yes, someone should have thrown that haunted garage sale recliner in a Dumpster the moment it started rocking on its own.

[...] most importantly, the family being haunted in “The Conjuring 2” is filled with enough recognizable and subtle details, that audience members will start to feel, most terrifyingly, what it’s like to be in their shoes.

The 39-year-old directed or co-directed the ground-breaking “Saw,” both “Insidious” movies and the superb and outstanding “The Conjuring.”

The Conjuring 2” is a half step below its predecessor, but it’s still better than any mainstream horror film since “It Follows.

The drama returns “The Conjuring” exorcists Ed and Lorraine Warren, the real-life paranormal investigators tied to “The Amityville Horror.”

There’s single mother Peggy (Frances O’Connor) and four children bullied and living near poverty, the nicest of which (Madison Wolfe) gradually becomes overtaken by a demonic presence.

(“I Started to Cry” by the Bee Gees, one of several deep cuts on the soundtrack, is used to particularly good effect.) Production designer Julie Berghoff deserves special credit, lovingly placing every David Soul poster and upside-down cross, sometimes in the same room.

The Warrens’ tween daughter is briefly introduced and then abruptly abandoned, presumably being babysat by the demon already living in the professional ghost hunting family’s stateside home.