WARNING: Contains The Conjuring: Last Rites spoilers
Imogen Webb
A chilling end to one of horror’s most loved film franchises. The Conjuring: Last Rites has scored the cinematic universe with its final box office hit.
Following a successful three-film run, the concluding movie of the core Conjuring film series has finally been released in cinemas. The Conjuring: Last Rites, directed by Michael Chaves (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, The Nun II), makes for an unsettling yet long-drawn-out story ending for the franchise’s popular leading couple.
Based on real-life paranormal investigators, Patrick Wilson (Insidious, Aquaman) and Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) have returned to the franchise to reprise their immensely popular characters Ed and Lorraine Warren for the final time.
The Conjuring Cinematic Universe
The Conjuring is a series of connected films which depicts the real-life work of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Starting in 2013, with the release of the first Conjuring movie, the franchise has only continued to grow in popularity. The series has spawned an abundance of connecting spinoffs, such as Annabelle, which together make up The Conjuring cinematic universe.
“However, with the help of some unsuspecting jump scares, a surprise visit from an unnecessarily big Annabelle and the possession of the Warren’s beloved daughter Judy, the second half of the movie was filled with classic Conjuring horror.”
The final movie opens with a highly effective flashback sequence depicting a young Ed (Orion Smith) and heavily pregnant Lorraine (Madison Lawler) who captured the mannerisms and intonations of their older counterparts perfectly. It’s in this section of the movie, which introduces the ‘evil inhuman’ spirit which will go on to torment the couple, their daughter Judy (Mia Tomlinson) and the unsuspecting Smurl family, who are a new addition to the franchise.
The Conjuring: A Love Story
Although you might not expect the horror movie genre to encapsulate a love story in the same way as a romance or drama, The Conjuring movies make for a rare exception. Arguably acting as one of the main fanbase builders for the franchise, and a consistent thread throughout the series, the love story depicted between Ed and Lorraine Warren has all the warmth and depth of any early 2000s romcom. With a genuinely sweet and fuzzy atmosphere surrounding the couple, the duo act as an effective release from uncomfortable horror scenes.
However, the opening of the movie reveals to the audience that the story which is to follow, and ‘based on a true story,’ was the last case ever taken by the Warrens. As the couple had become a source of comfort for viewers whenever on screen, this information stripped away the audience’s reassurance and comfort, leaving the rest of the film in unchartered territory.
“…the core Conjuring films start and finish with ominous fact scenes which remind the audience that the film is based on a true story, if you weren’t already scared enough, all set to ominous music.”
Although fans enjoy watching Ed and Lorraine, the opening hour of the movie was drawn out with character development and world-building, which left the second half feeling somewhat rushed and confusing. Despite mixed audience and critic reviews, this didn’t stop fans rushing to the cinema to watch.
The Hype
Being one of horror’s most loved franchises, the release of the movie generated viral social media content. From priests handing out holy water at cinemas to iconic scene recreations by fans. According to Variety, the movie generated “$194 million worldwide in its first weekend of release,” making it the biggest opener in history for a horror movie.
@karenncactus I’m glad though I was so scared 😭 #theconjuring #scarymovie #texas
Fans will also spot cameo appearances throughout the movie from the likes of Officer Brad (John Brotherton) who provides a much-needed moment of comic relief from an otherwise slow start, Carolyn Perron (Lili Taylor) and even the original Conjuring director James Wan (Saw, Malignant.) With many others to spot throughout the movie’s two hours and 15-minute runtime, long-time fans of the series will enjoy the not-so-subtle nods to the franchise’s earlier movies.
Just in time for the movie’s release, it was also recently announced that TikTok sensation and comedian Matt Rife, along with his friend Elton Castee, recently bought the Warren’s ‘Occult Museum’ which is frequently depicted in the movies. Although Rife is not directly affiliated with the marketing of the movie, the announcement sparked a mixed reaction from the internet and directed attention towards the movie’s release.
The Grand Finale
With a slow start and some unnecessary world-building for a closing movie, the film didn’t start out particularly ‘scary.’ However, with the help of some unsuspecting jump scares, a surprise visit from an unnecessarily big Annabelle and the possession of the Warren’s beloved daughter Judy, the second half of the movie was filled with classic Conjuring horror.
“However, the opening of the movie reveals to the audience that the story which is to follow, and ‘based on a true story,’ was the last case ever taken by the Warrens. “
Often times the most uncomfortable scenes in the movie came from the quieter moments such as a doorhandle featuring the shape of a cross turning upside down, or the painstakingly difficult rewinding of a VHS tape to spot a demonic figure hiding in plain sight.
If you’re yet to see the movie, remember to stay until the very end! Infamously, the core Conjuring films start and finish with ominous fact scenes which remind the audience that the film is based on a true story, if you weren’t already scared enough, all set to ominous music. An arguably core piece of information to the story is displayed not at the start or end of the movie, but all the way at the end of the credits.
@teeboporoni Just in case you missed it 😉🖤 #theconjuring #fyp #endcredits #horrormovie #conjuringmirror
I’ll definitely be leaving the lights on after this one!
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Featured image courtesy of James Chan via Pixabay. No changes have been made to this image. Image license found here.
