‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ bids farewell to the iconic horror franchise
On the backs of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s Ed and Lorraine Warren, visionary director James Wan, and an opening shot of Anabelle to make its mark on unsuspecting viewers—”The Conjuring” took the horror genre by storm in 2013 and spawned its own cinematic universe, reminiscent of Marvel’s.
Twelve years, four mainline films, and six spin-offs featuring Anabelle and Valak later, the iconic horror film franchise is finally coming to a close with “The Conjuring: Last Rites.”
Starring Wilson and Farmiga in their final appearance as Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film follows the renowned demonologists as they embark on their last and most dangerous case—the Smurl family haunting in West Pittston, Pennsylvania—which occurred in real life in 1986. Faced with spiritual forces beyond their control and a malevolent figure targeting their daughter, Ed and Lorraine find themselves in an unexpected fight to protect their family.
Joining the cast are Mia Tomlinson as Judy Warren and Ben Hardy as Tony Spera. Steve Coulter also returns to reprise his role as Father Gordon. The film is directed by Michael Chaves, who also helmed “The Curse of La Llorona,” “The Nun II,” and “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.”
Currently, the film has also broken the record for the biggest opening for an R-16 movie, previously held by “Final Destination Bloodlines.” It also holds the record for the biggest opening day for a horror film of all time in the Philippines, and currently has the second-highest-grossing opening day for any movie this year.
A fitting send-off for Ed and Lorraine
“The Conjuring” universe wouldn’t be what it is without Wilson and Farmiga’s Ed and Lorraine Warren. The pair have an undeniable chemistry, as seen in their first showing together back in 2013, and in every other appearance since. In fact, for a horror franchise that hinges on the scares and thrills, the pair have been equally, if not more important, to their success.
And we’re not talking about an in-your-face romance to prove how in love they are with each other. Instead, the film depicts a quiet yet firm partnership that only shows how much they’ve gone through—and how nothing will ever get in the way of them, least of all a few spiritual and demonic entities here and there.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is Wilson and Farmiga at their best as the iconic demonologist pair.
According to Wan, who directed the first and second “The Conjuring” titles: “Vera and Patrick have always been the center of these movies. They have such a great relationship, onscreen and offscreen—they’re such good friends.”
“I think that really comes across, and the audience sees how authentic it is,” he adds. “It brings much more reality to the characters that they play. It’s a big part of why fans out there love these films. I have always said, ‘They come for the fright and the scares, but they really stick around for Vera and Patrick.’”
Family at the heart
For all the thrills and jump scares, the ‘Conjuring’ franchise has always been about family: the Perrons in the first, the Hodgsons in the sequel, the Smurls in “Last Rites,” and of course, the Warrens.
Wilson’s Ed Warren, since the first film, has always emphasized getting the family back together every time he goes on a case. For him, demons and other malevolent entities prey on one’s fear and loneliness. So whether it be cooking up pancakes for breakfast or helping out with repairs, Ed wanted to make each family he assists feel that they’re not alone.
Twelve years later, and the same happens in “The Conjuring: Last Rites.” Call it your typical callback. But for us, it’s a brief yet meaningful moment to look at what these films are all about.
“Vera and Patrick have always been our secret weapon,” “Last Rites” director Chaves says. “They’re the heart and soul of these films, and it’s their talent and who they are as people that have shaped these movies from the start. These films ended up being family stories in a way not a lot of people expected—big family stories with plenty of scares.”
“The Conjuring” in hindsight
Looking back, no one would’ve expected that “The Conjuring”—even for a blockbuster hit—would end up being the starting point for a decades-long horror cinematic universe. And the first of its kind, too.
Safran, producer of “Last Rites” and all the other previous eight movies in the franchise, would agree: “We just wanted to make one great movie. And so, we’re really proud to be here, 14 years later, with all of the tremendous commercial and critical successes that these films have had,” he says.
“I believe you’re always conflicted by the end of something beautiful—I feel happy and sad. But with the series, I’m happy to have been involved with such an amazing group of artists, and that we’ve all gotten to end this journey on a high note,” the producer adds.
Wan, who also produced the other “Conjuring” universe films, shares the same sentiment: “For me, ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ is pretty much the end of an era and, because of that, it’s somewhat bittersweet. We’ve had such a good time making these films because it feels like such a family unit. But like all good things… I think we’re finishing up at the right time.”
“It feels like this movie is a good way to wrap up the world, at least for now. It’s been over a decade with the ‘Conjuring’ Universe. I’ve made many acquaintances who’ve become long-term friends,” he ends.
