when Horror Yearbook – The Conjuring has returned with Last Rites, a film meant to be the grand send-off for the legendary horror franchise. Starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, this ninth installment aimed to conclude the saga with one final haunting based on the Smurl family case. Unfortunately, under the direction of Michael Chaves, who previously helmed The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II, this film falls short of expectations. While it attempts to tie everything together with emotional farewells and callbacks to past entries, it lacks the dread and suspense that made the earlier movies iconic. James Wan’s absence is felt throughout, and fans who have followed the Warrens from the beginning may find themselves underwhelmed. Though not a total disaster, Last Rites delivers a forgettable experience in a series known for its high stakes and hair-raising horror.
The Conjuring: Last Rites tries to mirror the tension and emotional depth of its predecessors but fails to capture the magic. The film opens with a flashback to the 1960s featuring younger versions of the Warrens, portrayed by Orion Smith and Madison Lawlor. These actors bring charm and commitment to their roles, impressing with authentic performances that match the established characters. However, once the story transitions to present-day events involving Judy Warren and her boyfriend Tony Spera, the narrative starts to feel derivative. There are glimpses of heartfelt moments and familial bonds, but they are weighed down by conventional writing and predictable tropes. From marriage proposals to strained father-daughter dynamics, it feels like recycled content from films like Meet the Parents. The Conjuring has always balanced personal stories with supernatural terror, but here, the balance is off, resulting in a film that neither moves the heart nor terrifies the senses.
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Horror fans come to The Conjuring series expecting genuine fright, but Last Rites rarely delivers. The film follows a familiar structure with the Warrens investigating a haunted family home, alternating between spiritual revelations and sudden jump scares. Unfortunately, the Smurl family lacks character depth, and the haunting feels like a checklist of genre clichés. Compared to the terrifying presences introduced in The Conjuring 2, such as Valak and the Crooked Man, the ghosts here are forgettable. A creepy old woman and a long-haired man with an axe serve as the primary antagonists, but their lack of originality and impact makes them more laughable than menacing. The film attempts tension with scenes like mirrors hiding dark secrets or voices luring characters into attics, but audiences can predict every move. There is no innovation in the scares, and seasoned viewers will feel a sense of déjà vu rather than dread.
Despite being a franchise finale, The Conjuring: Last Rites misses several key opportunities to end the saga on a high note. One of the most glaring issues is its sluggish pacing. The film runs over two hours, yet the Warrens do not encounter the haunted family until well past the halfway point. That delay prevents tension from building effectively. Furthermore, the movie teases that something feels different about this case, yet never delivers on that promise. Scenes meant to showcase evil feel like copies of previous entries, and characters make baffling decisions that contradict their backgrounds. Judy, the daughter of demonologists, walks alone into a dark attic simply because the plot demands it. Horror elements feel forced, and the story lacks the emotional weight and thematic resonance needed for a proper farewell. The franchise deserved a climactic finale, but what audiences received was a standard ghost story stretched too long.
While the film stumbles in many areas, one of its redeeming qualities is the farewell it offers to Ed and Lorraine Warren. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga continue to carry the emotional core of this series, and their performances remain compelling. Their chemistry and depth bring humanity to the supernatural chaos, making viewers care even when the script falters. The final scenes provide a respectful nod to their legacy, reminding fans why these characters became horror icons. It is bittersweet to see them go out on such a mediocre note, but their portrayals remain memorable. As horror pop culture figures, the Warrens will continue to influence the genre, even if their last cinematic outing did not match the standards of the past. For longtime fans, there may be enough nostalgia to find some value, but for casual viewers, this is not the high-stakes finale the franchise deserved.
