To close the iconic horror trilogy, The Conjuring: Last Rites is the last film depicting Ed and Lorraine Warren in their groundbreaking paranormal investigations.
One of the most anticipated films of the year was released in theaters on Sept 5. The hype and excitement for the movie have been unreal. Fans are eager to see the Smurl case wrap up the Conjuring saga.
A love story laced with horror, the film features leading actors Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who portray the Warrens, serving as the emotional anchors audiences crave to make up for the chilling paranormal occurrences.
Wilson and Farmiga’s performances continue to amaze and serve as the emotional backbone of the trilogy in a world of terror.
While fans fill theaters because of their love for the saga, The Conjuring: Last Rites continues to remind viewers that the stories told in the series are based on actual events and these were real cases Ed and Lorraine Warren tackled, making the trilogy even more haunting and eerie to viewers who believe in the paranormal.
Spoilers ahead!
The Conjuring: Last Rites focuses on the Smurl family, the Warrens’ final case and the demonic hauntings in their home. In the film, the audience is introduced to a young version of the couple and their troubles with a “possessed” mirror containing demons inside. The story follows the mirror in the Smurl house, along with the Warrens’ history with the evil within.
The last chapter of the saga continues to stun viewers with its wild twists and intricate plot turns, but many feel it is not as thrilling as other Conjuring films.
The storyline primarily focused on the emotional turmoil of the Warrens and their concerns for their family, rather than the sheer horror that most viewers tune in for. It took quite a while for the plot to develop and reach the high-adrenaline scenes.
The fan favorite character Annabelle makes an appearance along with other easter eggs from previous movies, which makes up for the lack of focus on the three demons in the Smurl house.
The backstory of those demons in the house felt rushed, with less than five minutes of screen time. While many felt this was a leading cause in the lack of deep cut horror, past Conjuring films did not focus on the emotional impact these cases had on the Warrens, and this film made up for the lost time that was well deserved.
Rather than employing stereotypical horror tactics, The Conjuring: Last Rites adopts a unique approach to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The bone-chilling plot avoids cheap jump scares, instead utilizing scenes that make the audience’s skin crawl.
For instance, one of the demons focused on is an undead farmer with a terrifying grin who seeks revenge on his cheating wife. His intentions in each scene are to cause intense fear and violence.
His presence in each scene is more than chilling. This character is undoubtedly going to make you sleep with one eye open. For individuals who may have difficulty dealing with devastating topics, suicide makes a gruesome appearance in a heavily involved and religious character.
In total, this is a solid end to the beloved story of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film successfully balances heartfelt drama and supernatural horror, continuing to satisfy viewers with its emotional depth, actual paranormal experiences, and Easter eggs. The Conjuring: Last Rites is a must-see for this fall and is deserving of the large fan base the trilogy has successfully built.
