The Conjuring: Last Rites is a tired finale that marks the weakest Conjuring movie of the series

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Following the release of a mini horror spin-off within the Marvel Cinematic Universe-like setting, The Conjuring concludes its primary series this week with The Conjuring: Final Blessing.

Once again, the latest film draws inspiration from a genuine incident that the renowned duo, Ed and Lorraine Warren, were part of. In this instance, it’s the Smurl haunting they investigated in 1986, serving as a foundation, albeit loosely, for the final, deeply personal film chapter featuring the Warrens – much like in previous Conjuring movies.

However, the sense of familiarity in “The Conjuring: Last Rites” ultimately leads to its disappointing conclusion. Returning to the setting of haunted houses, this last installment unfortunately delivers more of a lackluster and repetitive reenactment of earlier films, with less emphasis on delivering chilling scares.

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In 1986, following a chilling prologue reminiscent of 1964 and Judy Warren’s birth, the film The Conjuring: Last Rites begins with the Warrens having mostly stepped back from their paranormal investigations. Ed (Patrick Wilson) continues to grapple with the health complications he faced in the previous movie, prompting Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) to advocate for a more cautious lifestyle.

The unfavorable situation for the Smurl family in Pennsylvania escalates as they are being tormented by unseen entities. Opting to share their harrowing experience, they gain recognition, eventually catching the notice of Father Gordon (Steve Coulter). However, not even he manages to convince the Warrens to exit their retirement.

However, as the Smurl family’s haunting seems linked to Judy’s past, the Warrens find themselves compelled to re-examine their religious texts and once again take action to safeguard their dearest loved ones.

In contrast to shifting locations for “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It”, the latest film returns to the series’ traditional settings, potentially at the expense of its originality. Most of the frightening moments adhere to a consistent formula, involving an abrupt appearance of a demonic face following a prolonged silence, often accompanied by a loud sound.

In simpler terms, the “Conjuring” series excels at creating jump-scare moments, but due to repetition, viewers can often predict the frightening scenes. For example, dark corners or creaky doors commonly induce fear. However, these predictable elements diminish their impact. It’s not until the climactic, intense final sequences that the film maintains a high level of suspense for an extended period.

In a series known for characters like Valak and Annabelle, there is no standout demon; no demon who will leave an impression upon you as you struggle to sleep following the movie viewing. Similar to the frightening scenes, these demons are generic and usually appear so fleetingly on screen that they fail to make a lasting impact.

If large parts of the film are too darkly lit, it becomes challenging to distinguish what is happening on screen.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel that Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson continue to deliver chills and depth in their roles, as they always do. However, it’s a bit strange that, despite this being their supposed finale, their characters seem to take a backseat. Instead, the narrative seems to be heavily focused on Judy, portrayed by Mia Tomlinson (replacing Sterling Jerins), and her partner Tony, played by Ben Hardy. It feels like there might be plans for a spin-off revolving around these new characters.

Tomlinson and Hardy give strong performances, but they’re not the primary reason we watch a Conjuring film. Instead, it’s not until the climax that the Warrens take center stage and become directly involved in the Smurl case, which is when the movie truly comes alive.

The spin-offs from the original series haven’t been able to match the success of the main series, and this is likely because they are missing the central duo, Farmiga and Wilson. These actors have consistently taken the Conjuring films beyond ordinary haunted house stories, so it proves detrimental not to involve them in these spin-offs.

The film ultimately provides a conclusion to the tale of Ed and Lorraine Warren, albeit with a final sequence. Long-standing viewers are treated to some unanticipated twists and it’s a tender, if nostalgic, ending that neatly avoids any real-life disputes concerning the couple, as the series consistently does.

While watching The Conjuring: Last Rites, one gets an impression that it might have been more fitting as a conclusion. Compared to its predecessors, this film seems to lack the punch and power, offering a somewhat anticlimactic end to the Warrens’ story in the main series.

Still, at least it’s not as bad as The Nun or Annabelle though, so that’s something.

The Conjuring: Last Rites is released in cinemas on 5 September.

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2025-09-03 19:21