The bell tolls for the central saga of one of modern Horror's most successful franchises. The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives, purportedly, as the final chapter in the main storyline, bringing back the genre's most iconic paranormal power couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren, for one last case. This film attempts the difficult task of blending high-stakes spiritual warfare with deep, heartfelt sentimentality, focusing as much on the Warrens’ legacy and personal life as it does on the demonic entities they face.
The final case brings the Warrens to Pennsylvania to investigate the haunting of the Smurl family, a terrifying ordeal that begins, fittingly for the series, with the arrival of an antique mirror. This installment features all the trademark elements: terrifying objects, spooky cellars, and the constant threat of a demonic presence. My overall impression is that Last Rites is a fitting, necessary conclusion for the characters we have grown to love, serving as a warm, valedictory send-off for Ed and Lorraine, but one that regrettably sacrifices the sheer, nerve-shredding intensity of the original films for the sake of closure.
Story and Screenplay
Director Michael Chaves, returning after The Devil Made Me Do It, and the writing team deliver a story that is rich in atmosphere but thin on originality. The narrative is structured around the classic Conjuring formula: the haunted family (the Smurls) and the inevitable investigation. However, the film is comfortably over two hours long, and it takes a languid 75 minutes before the Warrens even enter the Smurl home.
This extended runtime is devoted to two things: setting up genuinely effective initial scares (the opening section is "packed with visions and weirdness and general creep") and, crucially, deepening the family Drama around Ed and Lorraine. The plot focuses heavily on their daughter, Judy, her relationship with fiancé Tony, and the public scrutiny the Warrens constantly face. This provides the "sentiment" the reviewers noted, but it ultimately undermines the film’s efficacy as a Horror film. The central Mystery surrounding the Smurl case is predictable, relying on callbacks and franchise tropes rather than generating new, original scares. While the focus on family provides emotional depth, it dilutes the tension, leading to a conclusion that is warm, but ultimately underwhelming in its ability to frighten.
Acting and Characters
The greatest strength of the Conjuring franchise has always been its lead performers, and Last Rites is no exception. Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren) and Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren) deliver performances anchored by years of superb chemistry and emotional commitment. They convincingly portray a couple whose marriage has been tested by literal demonic forces, making their love the true protective shield against the darkness. Wilson, in particular, carries the heavier emotional weight in this installment.
The focus on their daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson), and her relationship with Tony (Ben Hardy) provides a necessary human grounding, allowing the film to fully explore the sacrifices the Warrens have made for their calling. The Smurl family, led by Rebecca Calder and Elliot Cowan, are suitably desperate and sympathetic. The entire ensemble works to elevate the material, ensuring that even when the scares falter, the audience remains emotionally invested in the personal stakes of the Warrens’ final investigation.
Direction and Technical Aspect
Michael Chaves' direction is technically proficient, showcasing impressive pacing and a polished aesthetic, even if his heart seems more focused on the Drama than the outright Horror. The film functions well as a Thriller, utilizing classic spooky settings—the cellar, the pantry, the attic—and throwing in multiple possessed dolls to keep the atmosphere consistently unsettling.
Chaves pays homage to the series' history, packing the film with visual callbacks and even featuring a cameo from series supremo James Wan to tie everything together neatly. The technique is impressive, especially in the opening sequences, which are genuinely creepy. However, the overlong runtime and the director's occasional "gooey" admiration for the Warrens mean that the scares often feel less organic and more like required jump-scare checkpoints, diminishing the raw, slow-burn psychological dread that defined the first two films.
Soundtrack and Atmosphere
The atmosphere of The Conjuring: Last Rites is a complex mix of old-school gothic horror and sentimental farewell. While the film attempts to generate genuine Horror dread with its visual language, the overall mood is consistently undercut by the need to provide emotional closure.
The sound design is crucial, focusing heavily on unsettling creaks, whispers, and loud, sudden noises characteristic of the Mystery and Thriller elements. However, the focus on jump scares over sustained tension means the film struggles to maintain a deep, psychological fear. The pervasive feeling is not one of abject terror, but rather a bittersweet "valedictory feel"—a sense that we are saying goodbye to beloved characters who are finally getting their peace.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Emotional Clousure: Provides a satisfying and sentimental ending for the beloved characters of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
- Lead Performances: Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are as excellent as ever, their chemistry anchoring the film's Drama.
- Effective Technique: Impressive pacing and polished visuals, especially in the initial sequences.
- Family Focus: Successfully deepens the human stakes by focusing on the Warren family dynamic.
- Formulaic Horror: Over-reliance on jump scares and lack of originality compared to earlier films.
- Overlong Runtime: The two-hour plus length, with 75 minutes of setup, dilutes the Thriller tension.
- Underwhelming Scares: The horror intensity is often underwhelming, prioritizing sentiment over fright.
Final Verdict/Conclusion
The Conjuring: Last Rites is a mixed bag: not the scariest entry in the franchise, but arguably the most sentimental. It succeeds as a character piece and a vehicle for a fond farewell, but it falters as a genuinely terrifying Horror film.
This film is essential viewing for fans who have followed the Warrens' journey and desire closure for their story. If you're looking for an intense, frightening Mystery comparable to the first film, you might be disappointed. If you're looking for a respectful, emotionally resonant send-off for Ed and Lorraine, this is a fitting "last rite." Read the full analysis of this sentimental Thriller in this Movie Review. This is a final curtain call among the 2025 Films.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
 Movie Review: A Sentimental Farewell That Lacks the Fright of Its Predecessors){kind=link}
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