The Conjuring: Last Rites is the final supernatural adventure with Ed and Lorraine Warren, the supernatural duo who had made a name for themselves in several high-profile haunting cases in the 70s and 80s.
Moviegoers were first introduced to them in the very first Conjuring film released all the way back in 2013. Since that initial release there have been a total of 10 films in the Conjuring universe, including three conjuring movies, three Annabelle movies, two featuring the Nun, The Curse of La Llora and the final Conjuring film, The Conjuring: Last Rites.
The Conjuring: Last Rites is the last to feature Ed and Lorraine Warren, dubbed, “The Case that Ended it All.” Starring Vera Farmiga as Lorraine and Patrick Wilson as Ed, the two must come out of semi-retirement to rescue the Smurl family who have been terrorized since a decorative mirror arrived at their house. This time however, its far more personal, and will prove to be the couple’s biggest fight yet.
This “Based on True Events” film is inspired by the real-life experiences of the Smurl Family in Pennsylvania. The Smurl family haunting took place from the 1970s to the 1980s in West Pittston Pennsylvania which gained media attention and was documented in a book titled “The Haunted”.
As one can imagine, several liberties were taken with the adaptation as it made its first big screen debut.’
Following the confirmation of one of Smurl’s daughters, her grandparents arrive with the gift of an ornate mirror that they had picked up at a flea market. The seller “didn’t want to put it back on his truck and made them a deal.”
Following its arrival, strange and terrifying events begin to take place. The two eldest daughters attempt to dispose of the mirror in the garbage, only for it to re-appear in their attic.
Numerous entities harass each member of the family, getting increasingly violent with each passing day. Fearing that no one will take them seriously, the family decides to call the media, to draw attention to their plight, hoping someone will answer their call for help.
The film’s narrative shifts focus to the Warrens, who have decided to hang up their Ouija board and crucifixes to focus on a more serene life. Their daughter Judy has experienced visions her entire life which have become increasingly intense as she’s grown. Loraine, who had experienced these same visions her entire life, teaches her daughter to bottle them up inside, and lock them away.
As much as she tries, Judy still sees dead people everywhere she goes. Judy is drawn to the Smurls, with an undeniable pull that will not let go.
The Conjuring: Last Rites is a visual spectacle, more so than the previous films in the franchise. While the original conjuring relied on psychological terrors and jump scares, this film is full-on in your face with the numerous entities and demons that inhabit the house.
Visually this is easily one of the best of the franchise using both CGI and practical effects that strike an amazing balance.
The entities are both diverse and truly terrifying, there are also numerous appearances of everyone’s favorite doll Annabelle as well. It’s easy to get immersed and drawn into the film, and while it may not be the scariest of the bunch, it strikes a chord between genuine storytelling, psychological terror, and suspense.
The Conjuring: Last Rites is one of the best films of the franchise.
If you have enjoyed the previous outings there is a lot to enjoy here. You don’t have to be a fan of all the films to be taken in with the grandeur that this film provides. Even if you are just a fan of horror films in general it is a must watch.
The film is not perfect, some scenes drag on far too long, and there are parts of the film that feel more like filler than necessity.
Overall, however, even with a run time of two hours and fifteen minutes, the film never felt as if it was dragging. With the spooky season upon us, The Conjuring: Last Rites is a film I would recommend to get you in the mood. With Halloween around the corner, it is a perfect time to take in the latest of The Conjuring franchise.
4 out of 5 stars
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