Introduction
With The Conjuring: Last Rites, Warner Bros. closes the curtains on one of Hollywood’s most enduring horror sagas. Directed by Michael Chaves, this chilling installment brings Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) face-to-face with their darkest haunting yet. Released on September 5, 2025, in theaters and IMAX formats, the film claims its place as both a finale and a farewell.
Scene-by-Scene Analysis
Opening Sequence – A Return to Shadows
The film opens with an ominous title card and a hushed church interior, signaling the spiritual weight of this final case. A demonic disturbance during a Mass sets the stage — a callback to the religious underpinnings that have defined the franchise.
Act I – Domestic Calm Shattered
We find the Warrens enjoying a rare moment of peace at home. Lorraine’s visions begin to intrude, presenting blurred, flame-drenched imagery of a house. This sequence recalls the earlier films, where domestic tranquility always precedes terror.
Act II – The Smurl Haunting
The heart of the film is inspired by the Smurl family haunting of the 1980s. The Warrens visit the afflicted home, where early scares are carefully staged: a rocking chair creaks, rosaries fall from hooks, and shadows flicker at the edge of the frame. This act exemplifies the franchise’s loyalty to slow-burn horror.
Midpoint – Possession and Power
The Smurl daughter becomes the vessel of possession. In one of the film’s standout sequences, Lorraine channels her psychic gift, entering a trance while Ed anchors her with prayer. Farmiga’s performance here is operatic — balancing fear, fatigue, and faith.
Act III – Confrontation in the Chapel
The climax takes place in a desecrated chapel. Demonic voices echo through liturgy, and Ed wields a crucifix in what feels like a last stand. Chaves frames the scene with high, vaulted shadows — a visual nod to The Exorcist and gothic tradition.
Final Scene – A Gentle Benediction
After the evil is subdued, the Warrens walk out together at dawn. Lorraine’s final words — “It was always about faith” — close the saga with a sense of closure, not cliffhanger. The ending deliberately echoes the tone of the original Conjuring (2013), tying the franchise full circle.
Performances & Direction
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Patrick Wilson delivers a steady, resolute Ed Warren — equal parts scholar, husband, and warrior.
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Vera Farmiga elevates Lorraine into a character that is both fragile and indomitable.
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Director Michael Chaves plays it safe, sticking close to James Wan’s blueprint. The result is reverent but arguably too conservative for a finale.
Cinematography & Sound Design
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Chiaroscuro lighting drenches scenes in gothic shadows.
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Silence and subtle creaks are prioritized over CGI excess.
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Joseph Bishara’s score is unnerving — with organ tones and atonal choral whispers.
Verdict
The Conjuring: Last Rites is not the boldest chapter, but it is a faithful one. It honors the franchise’s roots in faith, family, and folklore. Fans seeking closure will find it here; skeptics may call it predictable. Either way, it’s a ritual worth witnessing in theaters.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
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