The Conjuring Last Rites Review, An Emotional Farewell That Lacks True Horror

The Conjuring universe has come a long way since its first chilling entry in 2013. With The Conjuring Last Rites, the saga of Ed and Lorraine Warren reaches its final chapter. Marketed as the ultimate goodbye to the beloved paranormal investigators, this installment blends family drama, nostalgia, and supernatural elements. But does it deliver the spine-chilling experience fans were hoping for? Let’s break it down.

Story & Tone in The Conjuring

• Story
  The film follows the Perron family, who move into a secluded farmhouse in Rhode Island only to encounter terrifying supernatural disturbances. When the haunting escalates, they seek help from Ed and Lorraine Warren, renowned paranormal investigators. The Warrens uncover that the land and the house carry a dark curse linked to witchcraft and demonic possession. As the evil presence grows stronger, the family faces a life-threatening battle, culminating in an intense exorcism.
• Tone
  • Dark & Ominous: From the very beginning, the film establishes an eerie, oppressive mood with its setting and cinematography.
  • Old-School Horror: Director James Wan channels the spirit of 1970s haunted house films, focusing on suspense and dread over gore.
  • Emotional Core: Despite the terror, the movie emphasizes themes of family, faith, and sacrifice, which make the story more than just a sequence of scares.
  • Balance of Realism & Supernatural: The tone mixes documentary-style seriousness with chilling paranormal events, making it feel authentic and frightening at the same time.

⚡ Verdict: The Conjuring tells a chilling haunted house story rooted in real-life paranormal cases. Its tone is a careful blend of classic horror, suspense, and heartfelt drama, making it both terrifying and emotionally engaging.

Performances in The Conjuring

• Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren)
  Brings calm authority and warmth to the role. His portrayal balances skepticism and faith, making Ed a grounded figure in the chaos of the haunting. Wilson’s subtle performance helps keep the story believable.
• Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren)
  Delivers a deeply emotional and empathetic performance. Lorraine’s sensitivity to the paranormal and her compassionate nature make her the emotional anchor of the film. Farmiga’s expressive acting adds layers of tension and humanity.
• Lili Taylor (Carolyn Perron)
  Gives one of the most powerful performances in the film. As the mother plagued by possession, she moves from loving parent to a tormented victim with convincing intensity. Her role in the climax is both terrifying and heartbreaking.
• Ron Livingston (Roger Perron)
  Portrays the supportive yet helpless father figure effectively. While his role is more understated compared to others, he grounds the Perron family dynamic.
• The Perron Children (Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver)
  Each child convincingly displays innocence and fear, with Joey King (Christine) standing out in scenes of terror. Their performances add authenticity to the family’s suffering.

✨ Verdict: The cast elevates The Conjuring beyond a standard haunted house movie. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga shine as the Warrens, while Lili Taylor delivers a hauntingly powerful performance that anchors the emotional and horror elements of the story.

Horror & Atmosphere in The Conjuring

• Slow-Burn Terror: Instead of relying on constant jump scares, the film builds dread gradually through silence, shadows, and unsettling imagery.
• Classic Haunted House Setting: The old farmhouse becomes a character in itself—creaking floors, dark corners, and locked basements amplify the fear.
• Sound Design & Silence: One of the film’s greatest tools is its sound. From whispers to sudden silence before a scare, the atmosphere keeps viewers tense.
• Supernatural Manifestations: The demonic presence reveals itself in escalating ways—moving objects, apparitions, and possessions—each scarier than the last.
• Relatable Fear: The horror isn’t just about ghosts; it’s about a family trapped in their own home, unable to escape.
• James Wan’s Direction: The camera work, dim lighting, and long suspenseful takes make the audience feel like they’re inside the house with the Perrons.

⚡ Verdict: The film thrives on its chilling atmosphere, combining old-school haunted house elements with modern scare techniques, making it one of the most effective horror films of the decade.

The Conjuring – Movie Story

The Conjuring (2013) is a supernatural horror film inspired by real-life paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the famous demonologist couple.

The story follows the Perron family, who move into an old farmhouse in Rhode Island. Soon after settling in, they begin to experience disturbing events—strange noises, foul smells, unexplained bruises, and terrifying apparitions.

As the haunting grows worse, the Perrons seek help from Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens discover that the house is cursed by the spirit of a witch who sacrificed herself to the devil and cursed anyone who dared to live on the land. The entity grows increasingly violent, targeting the Perron family, especially the mother, Carolyn.

The Warrens attempt to cleanse the house through investigation, prayer, and finally, a dramatic exorcism. The film builds on classic horror elements—tension, suspense, and jump scares—culminating in a terrifying battle between good and evil.

Ultimately, The Conjuring combines real-life paranormal lore with cinematic storytelling, making it one of the most chilling and successful modern horror films.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

• Based on True Events: Adds authenticity and heightens the fear factor.
• Strong Performances: Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren) and Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren) bring emotional depth and believability.
• Tension-Building: Director James Wan masterfully uses atmosphere and suspense over cheap jump scares.
• Effective Sound Design: Creaking floors, whispers, and silence create a chilling effect.
• Classic Horror Vibe: Reminiscent of old-school haunted house tales, appealing to both modern and traditional horror fans.
• Emotional Core: The Warrens’ compassion and the Perron family’s struggles ground the film in human drama.

Weaknesses

• Familiar Tropes: Haunted house, exorcism, and cursed land themes feel familiar to seasoned horror fans.
• Predictable Moments: Some scares are telegraphed and expected.
• Slow Pacing in Parts: The buildup is effective, but some viewers may find the first act a bit too slow.
• Limited Character Depth for the Perrons: Aside from Carolyn, the family members don’t get much development.

⚖️ Verdict:
The Conjuring excels in atmosphere, performances, and delivering an unnerving haunted house story, though it leans on familiar horror clichés.

The Conjuring Last Rites Release Date

The Conjuring: Last Rites was officially released in cinemas on September 5, 2025. Some countries saw early premieres around September 3–4, 2025, giving fans across the globe a chance to experience the final chapter of the Conjuring franchise almost simultaneously.

This installment marks the emotional and cinematic conclusion to the saga of Ed and Lorraine Warren, closing one of the most popular horror series of modern times.

Overall Verdict

The Conjuring stands out as one of the most effective modern horror films, combining authentic scares, emotional depth, and strong performances. James Wan’s masterful direction, the chilling atmosphere, and the compelling chemistry between Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as the Warrens elevate the movie far above typical haunted house fare.

While it leans on familiar horror tropes, the execution is so polished that it feels fresh and deeply unsettling. With its balance of supernatural terror and heartfelt storytelling, The Conjuring not only revitalized the haunted house genre but also laid the foundation for a hugely successful horror franchise.

✨ Verdict: A must-watch for horror fans—terrifying, emotional, and unforgettable.

The Conjuring Trilogy

The Conjuring trilogy has become one of the most iconic horror sagas of modern cinema, blending real-life paranormal investigations with chilling cinematic storytelling.

• The Conjuring (2013) set the tone with its gripping haunted house story, unforgettable scares, and heartfelt performances by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. It redefined supernatural horror for a new generation.
• The Conjuring 2 (2016) expanded the universe with the infamous Enfield poltergeist case, delivering even bigger scares and cementing Ed and Lorraine Warren as one of horror’s most beloved duos.
• The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) shifted slightly from haunted houses to a courtroom drama infused with demonic possession. While it leaned more on storytelling and emotional drama than relentless scares, it showcased the franchise’s willingness to evolve.

Across all three films, the strengths remain consistent:

• The chemistry between Wilson and Farmiga.
• James Wan’s mastery of atmosphere (especially in the first two films).
• A perfect mix of horror, faith, and family themes that ground the scares in emotion.

The weaknesses, particularly in the later entries, include:

• A reliance on familiar tropes.
• Fewer groundbreaking scares compared to the original.
• Shifts in tone that divided some fans.

✨ Final Verdict: The Conjuring trilogy is a landmark in horror cinema—a rare blend of terror, emotional storytelling, and franchise-building that spawned an entire cinematic universe. While not every installment hits the same high as the first, together they form a haunting, memorable, and emotionally satisfying horror saga.

Conclusion

The Conjuring trilogy stands as a milestone in modern horror—reviving the haunted house genre and proving that scares can be just as effective when grounded in faith, family, and emotional storytelling. From the terrifying farmhouse of the Perrons to the eerie Enfield haunting and the courtroom battles of demonic possession, the series has kept audiences hooked with its mix of supernatural chills and heartfelt human drama.

Though not every chapter reaches the same heights, the trilogy as a whole delivers a powerful narrative arc for Ed and Lorraine Warren, cementing them as iconic figures in horror cinema. With unforgettable performances, atmospheric tension, and moments that continue to haunt viewers long after the credits roll, The Conjuring films will remain a benchmark for supernatural horror for years to come.