The Conjuring Franchise Has a Major Continuity Hole (& I Just Can’t Get Over It)

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Most horror films follow a familiar pattern: a killer or evil force threatens a group of ordinary people, and those people ultimately defeat it – though not without some losses. However, when the evil wins, it creates exciting opportunities for storytelling, like the potential for a shared universe of films. The *Conjuring* franchise does just that, focusing on the real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they battle relentless and terrifying spirits.

Ed and Lorraine Warren are driven to risk their lives because they want their daughter, Judy, to have a normal, fear-free childhood. While *The Conjuring* films and related movies subject Judy to terrifying experiences, the character’s life isn’t easy even outside the films. In fact, the way the franchise unfolds creates a confusing and difficult-to-ignore inconsistency in Judy’s story.

Judy Warren Keeps the Same Face for Most of The Conjuring Franchise

The story of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s investigations first hit theaters with the 2013 film, *The Conjuring*. The movie centers on the Perron family, who find their new Rhode Island home haunted by disturbing activity. Knowing the Warrens’ reputation, the family asks them to investigate. It soon becomes apparent that a malicious spirit is terrorizing them. After discovering the spirit’s identity – Bathsheba Sherman – the Warrens attempt to banish her, but she fiercely resists, targeting the family’s daughter, Judy. This attack awakens a hidden ability within Judy, mirroring a power her mother also possesses.

The early *Conjuring* films follow Judy Warren closely, allowing actress Sterling Jerins to portray her growth from a scared child into a teenager. However, Judy often takes a backseat to her parents, who are the main focus of the investigations. She finally gets to lead the story in *Annabelle Comes Home*, but because of where that film falls in the timeline, Jerins isn’t able to continue playing Judy. A new actress, Mckenna Grace, takes over the role, which is disappointing, especially since Jerins later returns to the series in *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It* and *The Nun II*. Despite attempts to include her, the complicated timeline continues to prevent Jerins from consistently playing Judy.

The Final Conjuring Movie Casts Judy’s Original Actress Aside

As a big fan of the *Conjuring* universe, it’s a little bittersweet seeing Ed and Lorraine Warren’s story wrap up in *The Conjuring: Last Rites*. This movie really brings things full circle, focusing on a haunting they first dealt with way back in 1964 – a terrifying spirit trapped inside a mirror! It was a particularly scary night for them, as it even caused Lorraine to go into labor, and their baby almost didn’t make it. Fast forward to 1986, 22 years later, and it’s mostly Judy who’s continuing their work. It’s a bit strange though, because Mia Tomlinson takes over the role of Judy this time around, instead of the actress who played her before.

Last Rites aims to show a more grown-up Judy, establishing her as someone ready to take on the family’s work, which is a welcome development. However, it’s hard to ignore that the movie states Judy is 22 years old – the same age as the original actress, Vera Farmiga. If the Conjuring series truly wants to give this underused character a fair shake, it seems logical to bring back the actress who originally made the role so compelling. This isn’t to say the new actress does a poor job-she performs well with what she’s given. It’s just that the constant recasting makes it difficult to fully connect with the character.

The Conjuring: Last Rites is in theaters now.

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2025-09-15 18:30