REVIEW: “The Conjuring: Last Rites” (2025)

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In 2013, director James Wan launched what has since become one of my favorite horror film series with “The Conjuring“. Although the spin-off movies have varied in quality, the main Conjuring films have consistently created a genuinely spooky universe centered around two intriguing and surprisingly likable lead characters portrayed excellently by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson.

According to the accounts documented in the case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, renowned paranormal investigators and demonologists, the Conjuring films depict their relentless efforts to aid troubled families confronting malevolent supernatural forces. This fourth installment, titled Last Rites, is promoted as “the case that concluded it all”, and with its compelling narrative, it seems to serve as a fitting conclusion for the series, offering another high-quality addition to the franchise.

In the narrative, “Last Rites” shifts to the year 1986, where Ed and Lorraine, portrayed by Wilson and Farmiga, have ceased accepting cases primarily because of Ed’s deteriorating heart health. They now spend their leisure time delivering talks on college campuses instead. At home, Judy (Mia Tomlinson), an adult, is experiencing predictions similar to her mother’s. On a more cheerful note, she is deeply smitten by her boyfriend Tony (Ben Hardy), who is covertly planning to pop the question to her.

Simultaneously in West Pittston, Pennsylvania’s industrial district, the Smurl family finds themselves under a mysterious and supernatural threat. Living together in a busy two-story townhouse are Jack and Janet Smurl (Elliot Cowan and Rebecca Calder) along with their four daughters and Jack’s parents. The unusual events begin following the gift of an antique mirror to one of the daughters for her confirmation. However, the disturbances rapidly escalate, growing increasingly violent, causing great fear among the family members who seek assistance urgently.

The Warrens eventually join in, but only after some thoughtfulness. Without revealing what triggers their participation, director Michael Chaves, along with writers Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, carefully develop the narrative around the Warrens, connecting it seamlessly with the Smurls. Remarkably, the Conjuring movies have always been known for their patience in character development, a quality that can sometimes make them seem slow-paced. However, I’ve always admired this approach because it allows for deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships, adding to the film’s overall impact. This trait is also evident in the current movie.

From the start, the story primarily focuses on Ed and Lorraine, portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga respectively. Over time, these characters’ development has fostered an emotional bond with viewers, making their journey together the heart of the series. Their strong, enduring love has consistently been a significant aspect of the narratives, and this remains true in “Last Rites”. The exceptional chemistry between Wilson and Farmiga is what makes their central relationship so impactful.

Naturally, as is typical for a horror film, “Last Rites” employs an antiquated yet effective strategy to scare its viewers. It’s simple at times, but always impactful. Chaves avoids excessive jump scares, instead focusing on strategic camera movements, skillful lighting, and unsettling sound design. The movie generates real unease more often from its brooding atmosphere and gradual build-up of supernatural tension than from graphic depictions of blood.

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2025-09-06 19:57