The Conjuring: Last Rites
The Conjuring first screamed into existence in 2013 courtesy of James Wan and Warner Bros, and quickly became considered one of the most frightening horror movies ever created. Since that blistering first instalment, the franchise has seen a raft of sequels and spin-offs continue to cause sleepless nights for viewers. In The Conjuring: Last Rites, paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) are back again for one last time, this time coming to the assistance of the Smurl Family in Pennsylvania. Joined by their daughter Judy (Mia Tomlinson) and her fiancée Tony (Ben Hardy), Ed and Lorraine must confront a demon from their own past, while risking their own declining health and safety of their loved ones.
A much-loved franchise around the world, there have been high hopes for this concluding Conjuring episode, made all the more exciting by the return of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II director Michael Chaves. The challenge he faces is delivering a nerve-jangling thriller that appeases the thrill seekers out there, whilst also rounding off Ed and Lorraine’s story with care and affection.
Setting this latest chapter in 1986 opens the door for two things: a time jump and fresh production design that shows similarities to Stranger Things. At home, Ed and Lorraine are winding down, taking life at a steadier pace, while Judy is now mature enough to bring boyfriends to family BBQs. Wilson and Farmiga once again bring heart and chemistry to the film in these moments, and Mia Tomlinson also proves a wonderful and versatile addition to the cast, especially when her supernatural senses kick into action.
However, this change in approach brings about some issues. The movie is a very, very slow burn, taking a considerable amount of time to get going because the plot initially follows two threads, with scenes featuring the Warrens’ suburban family life crossed with the mysterious hauntings taking place at the Smurl residence. Dare it be said, you are worryingly lulled into boredom before the action really gets going.
There are, of course, still several chilling and jumpy moments that will make your skin crawl, but in this instalment, they take second stage behind the Warrens’ familial dynamic. The movie is more thriller than horror flick, and aside from a life and death sequence that opens the movie, there isn’t particularly a sense of jeopardy throughout any of the drama.
It sounds strange to say, particularly when previous history is considered, but The Conjuring: Last Rites just isn’t scary enough. Rather than leaning fully into the chilling horror roots that made the series so successful, the film feels more like a warming tribute to the real-life Warrens. While this direction provides a heartfelt way to tie the saga together in a neat bow, it does come at the cost of the nail-biting tension that audiences have come to feast on over the years.
The Conjuring: Last Rites is absolutely a fitting conclusion to a successful series, but one that will leave audiences with mixed emotions as the credits roll. It closes the door with respect and affection for its central figures, but those fans eager to have their pulses raised by jump scares will leave the cinema disappointed.
Guy Lambert
The Conjuring: Last Rites is released nationwide on 5th September 2025.
Watch the trailer for The Conjuring: Last Rites here:
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