“The Conjuring: Last Rites satisfactorily ends the franchise with a family dynamic story that is complemented by the scares contained.”
“The Case That Ended It All.” That’s the tagline for the latest and probably final entry into The Conjuring series. The new movie, The Conjuring: Last Rites (see what they did there?), is opening in cinemas this Friday. It boasts an impressive cast, which includes Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga returning as Ed and Lorraine Warren, the real-life paranormal investigators and authors. Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy join them. The film is based on the true-life investigations of the Smurl haunting conducted by the Warrens, with an original story co-authored by James Wan and Johnson-McGoldrick. Michael Chaves returns to the director’s chair after directing the previous entry, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and the spin-off, The Nun II. Can the film end the franchise on a high note, or should it have been exorcised?
PREMISE
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on one last terrifying case involving mysterious entities they must confront.
THOUGHTS
The film is a fitting conclusion to the franchise. It gives the audience the creeps and chills that are expected, along with the obligatory jump scares. Having said that, however, the film feels a little too safe. Instead of pushing the envelope and delivering a terrific finale, it feels like it is slowly moving towards a climax that we know is coming. Ok, so the film is based on the actual case of the Smurls’ experiences. But even with some poetic licence, the film can’t quite hit the heights it needs to. Throw in some frights that the audience can see coming a mile off, and the movie ends up coming across as a Poltergeist rip-off. That isn’t a bad thing, but you will see what I mean.
VERA FARMIGA AND PATRICK WILSON
With Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson firmly entrenched as the leads, you know we are in safe hands from the start. Both know their roles so much now that we are on solid ground, ground that the film needs to succeed. Both stars are completely charming and believable as Lorraine and Ed Warren, respectively. Ed, this time around, is retired after suffering a heart attack, refusing to take on any more supernatural investigations. His doctor even warns him that he is on the verge of suffering another, one that will prove fatal. Lorraine, meanwhile, is quite comfortable not investigating anymore. However, she continues to see visions of an entity and experiences some frightening hallucinations. When their daughter, Judy, suffers from almost parallel things and runs off to the Smurls, Ed and Lorraine must take on one final investigation.
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES
The actors are excellent again here. By the time we reach the climax, the emotions that have been present throughout flood through. It isn’t a spoiler to say both Ed and Lorraine survive the events, but the emotional final scenes leave us with a lump in our throats. The knowledge that both Warrens lived on into this new century dampens the dramatic tension and our fears for them when the finale comes. But Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson manage to instill in us a fear that something nasty and violent could indeed befall them. When it doesn’t, we are relieved, despite the knowledge that they won’t die or suffer an evil fate.
MIA TOMLINSON AND BEN HARDY
Mia Tomlinson as Judy Warren and Ben Hardy as Tony Spera, Judy’s boyfriend, give assured and winning performances. The actress is fantastic as Judy. Every time she suffers a hallucination, we genuinely fear for her life. We feel sorry for her at almost every turn while marvelling at her resiliency. The film takes liberties with Judy’s life, stating she was born in the 1960s when, in reality, Judy was born in 1946. However, that small detail doesn’t detract from the actress’s worthy, winning, and heartfelt performance. Of all the characters, Judy is the one we fear for the most. Mia Tomlinson has us clutching the arms of our seats as we witness the horrors she encounters as we move towards the climax.
Ben Hardy is also welcome as Tony Spera, Judy’s boyfriend and (SPOILER ALERT) future husband. Tony is a former Police officer who quit the force after a life-changing event severely dented his confidence. He slowly ingratiates himself into the Warrens’ lives and even manages to get the grand tour of the room of cursed artefacts the Warrens have collected during their investigations. Tony also gets involved in the events happening at the Smurls’ home. Ben Hardy also gives a winning and superb performance as Tony, making us believe in him at every turn.
WRITING AND DIRECTION
The screenplay by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, based on a story by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and James Wan, is enjoyable. The writing team take the true story of the Warrens’ investigation and adds to it, making the film a good supernatural chiller. The split narrative between the Warrens’ and the Smurls’ lives adds depth to the story, giving us a compelling family dynamic that resonates. The story throws up some frightening moments for both families before they intertwine later on as the Warrens are forced to undertake one final investigation. However, the film deviates into Poltergeist territory later on, dragging the film down from what should be an excellent movie to a very good one.
Michael Chaves’ direction is once again assured. He takes the premise he has been given and works it into an enjoyable movie. The tones he implements throughout, sometimes washed out, occasionally dark, before allowing colour to shine through at the climax, are used ideally. His use of locations depicting the Smurls’ home in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, U.S. (actually filmed in London) makes us believe that we are seeing the real town. Chaves directs the film to tremendous effect, drawing out brilliant and heartfelt performances from all involved.
VERDICT
The Conjuring: Last Rites satisfactorily ends the franchise with a family dynamic story that is complemented by the scares contained. Some of the scares are telegraphed, meaning they don’t hit as well as could be hoped. However, with the actual story serving as the basis for the film and featuring brilliant performances, it is an engaging and enjoyable movie experience. Of course, Annabelle makes an appearance, but eagle-eyed fans need to keep their eyes open as various other nods to the franchise and spin-offs appear at varying times. These are welcome additions to the film, making this final instalment feel like we are witnessing the end of the franchise.
Could there be more stories to tell? Possibly. But with this marked as the final part of the franchise, it feels like a natural end. To make any more would be pushing the formula and the true stories to the limit, making the possible plotlines extremely thin. If this truly is the end for The Conjuring, they have gone out on a scary note at times, but with a superb family tale and dynamic that makes the film feel more real to us than a simple horror movie. While the film isn’t the scariest horror movie you’ll see or have seen, it hardly matters when you have a warm heart beating beneath. The Conjuring: Last Rites manages to conjure up some great moments, but can’t quite conjure up a completely satisfying finale.
The Conjuring: Last Rites will be in cinemas from Friday, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
