Movie review by Miguel Fermin
There can be no discussion of modern horror, most especially paranormal horror, without bringing up The Conjuring franchise. The first movie in 2013 made an indelible mark on mainstream horror, leaving unforgettable scares to last a lifetime. The simple premise of dramatizing real life anomalies investigated by the Warrens is so good that it quickly found itself a sequel and multiple spin-offs, including the equally infamous Annabelle franchise. Now, over a decade later, The Conjuring: Last Rites delivers what might be the final installment of this influential scarefest. It leans into the legacy of the Warrens to provide a satisfying conclusion to their journey.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return once more as Ed and Lorraine Warren. As always, it’s their magnetic chemistry that propels the story forward. This time around, the haunting of the Smurl family is intertwined with their own. The movie opts for a more personal approach to the Warrens to heighten the stakes and the scares. Mia Tomlinson plays daughter Judy Warren very well, as the movie relies on her character a lot to sell the emotions. Ben Hardy as boyfriend Tony Spera is a surprisingly nice addition as well.
Speaking of surprises, this movie has quite a few up its sleeve. The Conjuring is best known for two things: the spookiest houses and effective jumpscares. Last Rites fully delivers on both. The setting is a small cramped house filled by a big family and multiple entities. The best parts of the movie are when the camera is moving simply around the family. Because the space is so limited, it invokes a bit of claustrophobia alongside the terror of what might show up next. It’s fun knowing that there is definitely a jumpscare coming but also not knowing what is going to show up or how. Although there are some heavy scenes, much of the movie is having fun with what they can do with the ghosts and demons.
Last Rites may be based on real events like its predecessors, but what matters is that it delivers real scares. It’s sure to get loud screams from the audience. It also serves as a fitting farewell for the fans.
