Content Warning: This article contains references to suicide.
Since its 2013 debut, “The Conjuring” has evolved into a sprawling supernatural horror universe that balances old-school haunted house scares with themes of love, family and faith. Anchoring the story are Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), a layman demonologist and his clairvoyantly gifted wife, with the paranormal investigations of their real-life counterparts inspiring the series.
Directed by Michael Chaves, “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” the ninth and final installment of the first phase of the “Conjuring” universe, arrived in theaters on Sept. 5. Like previous films in this franchise, “Last Rites” follows the Warrens’ attempts to assist people who are being harassed by malicious spirits, all while battling their own demons.
"Last Rites" marks the end of an era, but it is not quite the send-off audiences have hoped for. Despite solid pacing and well-executed horror, the script leaves several loose ends and underdeveloped plot points.
The film begins in 1964 with the Warrens’ first professional encounter with the demonic: a haunted mirror. When the pregnant Lorraine touches the glass in an attempt to use her clairvoyant abilities to gain a better understanding of the case, it shatters, and the supernatural shock sends her into an early and nearly disastrous labor. The film then shows a montage of Lorraine’s child, Judy (Mia Tomlinson), growing up and learning to deal with the same visions and senses that plague her mother.
The film then jumps to 1986, introducing the Smurl family in Pennsylvania, who are celebrating the birthday and Catholic confirmation of their daughter, Heather (Kíla Lord Cassidy). The girl receives the same haunted mirror as a birthday present and is immediately besieged by several sufficiently horrifying things.
Meanwhile, Ed and Lorraine are dealing with a life of relative inactivity, having stopped investigating paranormal cases due to Ed’s heart issues. In typical “Conjuring” fashion, the movie’s focus alternates between the Smurls and the Warrens, setting up the stakes as the audience anticipates their eventual meeting in a way that works to build suspense and audience investment.
From here on, the horror elements of the film arrive in full strength. For the most part, the Smurls’ experiences are not that different from hauntings in past “Conjuring” movies. And, in scenes that include Jack Smurl (Elliot Cowan) levitating above the bed or Father Gordon (Steve Coulter) committing suicide while being manipulated by a demonic entity, the creative cinematography shines, allowing classic tricks and symbols to be recycled in a timeless rather than gimmicky fashion.
The atmosphere of dread is further enforced by the film’s intelligent use of lighting, minimalist soundtrack and practical effects. Though many of the scenes were designed to make viewers hold their breath and sink into their seat in trepidation, the jumps into more lighthearted and even humorous bits flow well, producing a satisfying restart to the tension rather than a jarring tone switch. A particularly gory and distressing sequence with the Smurl family in the first half ends with a transition to Ed’s birthday barbecue, which gave screen time and emotional focus to the Warren family and their friends from past films.
Despite the strength of its scares, “Last Rites” falls flat in exploring the origins of the demon responsible for the Smurls’ troubles or its implied connection to the Warrens. Instead, the script seems more intent on exploring the dynamics of the Warren family. While being a fitting aim for a film meant to represent the final chapter of their story, the film was unsuccessful in exploring paranormal influences and overarching conflicts.
Though Judy is central to the “Annabelle” (2014-2019) movies, which occur in the same cinematic universe, she finally comes into her own as a character in “Last Rites.” The film explores not just Judy’s relationships with her parents but also establishes her relationship with former cop Tony Spera (Ben Hardy), whose heartwarming marriage proposal and acceptance into the Warren family implies that these two will be taking up Ed and Lorraine’s professional mantle in the “Conjuring” universe. With frequent Easter eggs alluding to the previous films, “Last Rites” focuses on satisfying fans of the installation, sometimes at the expense of developing the storyline at hand.
A particularly annoying element of the film is the lack of communication and understanding among the characters. For instance, the only advice Lorraine gives her daughter for dealing with her psychic abilities is to “block it out,” which not only stunts Judy’s ability to cope with the visions but also causes her to repeatedly withhold information from her mother rather than seeking her advice. This dynamic is frustrating and exists only to set up a heavy-handed metaphor about bottling up one’s emotions.
Character development is a problem for this script. The film seemingly forgets that Ed and Lorraine are supposed to be experts in demonology and dropped the ball in exploring the malicious presence at the center of the film’s conflict. Similarly, members of the Smurl household remain flat throughout the film, with the script failing to flesh them out Although the exorcism in the final act makes for a powerful climax, the plot still suffers from the Smurls’ underdevelopment. While the family has a large cast of characters, none of them receive a proper resolution once the demonic entity — and the script — shifts its attention entirely onto the Warrens.
Immediately following the exorcism, the plotline is wrapped up alarmingly fast, standing out as the most jarring fault in the film’s otherwise satisfying pacing. Though the ending is fine overall, it would have benefited from a few more minutes of falling action to avoid such an abrasive tone switch.
Despite its predictable script and shallow exploration of the Smurls, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” is a suitable addition to the franchise as well as a fittingly frightful farewell to the leading couple.
Self-harm or Suicide Online Resources
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, you can call Student Intervention Services at (404) 430-1120 or reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at (404) 727-7450 or https://counseling.emory.edu/. You can reach the Georgia Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at (800) 273-TALK (8255) and the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24/7 at 988.
Kimble Schiller (she/her) (26Ox,28C) is from Houston, Texas and is majoring in economics and philosophy, politics and law. Outside of the Wheel, she can be found studying, hiking, writing for fun, or spending time with friends.
