When it comes to the world of cinema, few genres brush up against as much controversy than horror. And when it comes to acclaim and accolades, gone are the days of films like The Exorcist, Carrie, and Rosemary’s Baby being nominated for (and sometimes winning) Academy Awards. This weekend The Conjuring 2–the follow up to 2013’s surprise summer hit The Conjuring–hit theaters and director James Wan and his cast, led by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, made a movie that they hope is smart, scary, and something you can respect.

We sat down with Wan, Farmiga, and Wilson, as well as Frances O’Connor and Madison Wolfe, both new to the beloved horror franchise. We talked to them about putting the storytelling before the scares and what it has been like to craft two well regarded studio genre films. Farmiga and Wilson, clearly a strong duo when paired together, debate and discuss genre classics that came before, why they’re scary for audiences, and why they love playing Ed and Lorraine Warren so much. O’Connor and Wolfe sang Wan’s praises and the director himself explains his love for the genre and why he has so much fun making these movies.

The Conjuring 2 earned a positive review from Nerdist and audiences alike, and if that’s any indication, it looks like we’ll be opening the the Warrens’ case files for a long time to come. The Conjuring 2, starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Frances O’Connor, and Madison Wolfe, directed by James Wan, is in theaters now!

Featured Image Credit: New Line Cinema