THE CONJURING: LAST RITES (2025)

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on one last terrifying case involving mysterious entities they must confront.

After more than a decade of haunted houses, demonic possessions, and spiritual showdowns, The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives as the final entry in the main series. Directed by Michael Chaves and starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, the film sets out to close the chapter on Ed and Lorraine Warren’s cinematic legacy. While it offers a heartfelt goodbye to these beloved characters, it falls short of delivering the kind of horror that made the franchise iconic.

Set in suburban Pennsylvania and loosely inspired by the Smurl haunting of 1986, the story follows a familiar path. A wholesome family is plagued by a dark entity, and the Warrens are called in to help. The film features the usual suspects: haunted toys, eerie mirrors, shadowy figures, and a climactic exorcism. What sets this installment apart is the added threat to the Warrens’ daughter, Judy, played by Mia Tomlinson. She is targeted by a malevolent force that has been fixated on her since birth, adding a personal layer to the supernatural conflict.

This dual narrative of the Smurl family’s haunting and Judy’s spiritual ordeal,  creates a structure that feels uneven. At two hours and fifteen minutes, the film spends a lot of time switching between its main plot and subplot. Unfortunately, the Smurl storyline feels underdeveloped until the final act. The focus remains on the Warrens, which is a departure from the first film’s strength in centering the afflicted family. This shift makes it harder to connect with the victims and weakens the emotional stakes.

One of the film’s biggest challenges is its tone. For every effective scare, there is a moment that pulls the viewer out of the mood. A table tennis montage between Ed and Judy’s boyfriend, set to David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” is charming but completely out of place. These lighthearted scenes clash with the darker themes and create a sense of tonal confusion. The film wants to be both a horror story and a family drama, but it rarely manages to balance the two.

The emotional beats are well executed. Judy’s growth, her relationship with her parents, and her own psychic awakening add depth to the narrative. These moments provide warmth and humanity, reminding us that the series has always been about the strength of family as much as it has been about battling evil. However, this emotional core often feels disconnected from the horror elements. The transitions between heartfelt scenes and supernatural terror are abrupt, making it difficult to stay immersed.

The scares themselves are competent but lack originality. The franchise’s formula of collecting a haunted house, a family in peril, and a spiritual intervention, has been repeated too many times. There is only so much a ghost or demon can do before it starts to feel predictable. Last Rites does not offer much innovation in this regard. The absence of a memorable villain further weakens the horror, leaving the film without a central figure to fear.

Despite these shortcomings, the performances remain strong. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga continue to bring sincerity and grace to their roles. Their chemistry is the emotional anchor of the series, grounding even the most fantastical moments in genuine human connection. Mia Tomlinson adds a quiet strength to Judy, making her more than just a plot device. She becomes a character with agency and emotional weight.

The film’s greatest strength is its portrayal of the Warrens as a family. Earlier entries hinted at their bond, but Last Rites expands it into a fuller dynamic. Judy is no longer a child on the sidelines. She is a young woman grappling with her own abilities and the legacy of her parents’ work. This evolution adds emotional resonance and gives the film a sense of closure.

However, the supernatural side of the story does not reach the intensity or creativity of previous films. The lack of clear rules or logic for the paranormal events makes it hard to stay invested. The jump scares do their job, but they are not enough to sustain the atmosphere of fear that defined the original Conjuring. The pacing is irregular, and the film’s length works against it. Scenes that should build tension are often interrupted by lighter moments, and the overall rhythm feels disjointed.

All in all, The Conjuring: Last Rites is a film caught between two identities. As a horror movie, it is fine; occasionally spooky, often familiar, and ultimately safe. As a franchise finale, it is more successful, offering a sentimental goodbye to characters who have become beloved over the years. But the inconsistent tone and lack of narrative focus prevent it from standing alongside its predecessors.

It is a film that wants to honor its legacy without reinventing it. While that is understandable, it means Last Rites feels more like a gentle epilogue than a terrifying climax. Fans of the series will appreciate the emotional closure, but those looking for the spine-tingling terror of the original may find themselves left wanting.

The Conjuring: Last Rites was released in NZ cinemas on 4 September 2025