The Conjuring: Last Rites – A Final Farewell to the Warrens
So, let’s talk about The Conjuring: Last Rites , which has just hit theaters and is being described as both a farewell and a reflection on one of horror’s most iconic couples—Ed and Lorraine Warren. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of the genre, their names probably sound familiar, since they’ve been at the center of the Conjuring universe for more than a decade.
This ninth installment takes us back to the 1960s. The film begins in 1964, with Lorraine, heavily pregnant, experiencing a terrifying series of visions triggered by a mysterious mirror. That moment ties directly to the birth of their daughter, Judy. Fast forward twenty-two years, and the story picks up with the Smurl family in Pennsylvania, who are suddenly plagued by dark forces after that same mirror resurfaces in their home.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. By this time, the Warrens have already stepped away from their paranormal work. They’re older, tired, and Ed is facing heart problems. They’ve basically said, “those days are behind us.” But evil doesn’t just retire when people do. Instead, it finds its way back into their lives, this time through Judy, played by Mia Tomlinson. She’s on the verge of starting her own life with her partner Tony, yet she feels a pull—a force that drives her straight into the nightmare unfolding at the Smurls’ house.
The film works, as usual, thanks to the performances. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga have been living inside these roles for more than ten years, and their chemistry still feels natural, believable, and comforting in a strange way. Their presence is what keeps fans coming back. Tomlinson, meanwhile, injects a sense of freshness and continuity by giving Judy her own voice rather than simply being “the Warrens’ daughter.”
Also Read:Director Michael Chaves, who already handled The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II , sticks to a classic horror style. He doesn’t reinvent the genre here, but uses camera tricks, mirror reflections, and Benjamin Wallfisch’s chilling score to create tension. It’s effective, though perhaps not groundbreaking. If you’ve seen other entries in the series, the beats will feel familiar: a haunted family, a cursed object, demonic torment, and the inevitable showdown.
What makes Last Rites stand out isn’t necessarily the scares—it’s the sense of closure. The film feels more like a farewell letter than a rollercoaster of frights. It acknowledges the Warrens not only as cinematic characters but as people who, in real life, shaped an entire field of paranormal fascination. Whether you believe in their legacy or not, there’s something poignant about watching them step off the stage after all this time.
Is it the scariest Conjuring film? Probably not. Some critics even argue it feels a little slow and predictable. But as an emotional send-off, it does its job. It gives longtime fans a chance to say goodbye to Ed and Lorraine, and to pass the torch to Judy, who might just carry the story forward in a different way.
So in the end, The Conjuring: Last Rites may not leave you jumping out of your seat, but it leaves you with a sense of finality. It’s less about shocking the audience and more about closing the book on one of horror’s most memorable sagas.
Read More:
0 Comments