The Conjuring Last Rites Review: The End of an Era.
All good things must come to an end and unfortunately, with The Conjuring: Last Rites, we reach the final chapter of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s paranormal investigations on the big screen. After years of battling malevolent spirits, haunted artifacts, and chilling true cases, this film serves as the franchise’s emotional curtain call, or at least for its original duo.
As someone who’s followed the Conjuring universe from the beginning, I’ve always accepted these films for what they are: a mix of slow-burn supernatural storytelling, elevated jump scares, and an earnest heart that set them apart from typical horror fare. Last Rites continues in that tradition, but does it go out with a bang, or a whimper?
Set in 1986, the story follows Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) as they head to Pennsylvania, where a family is being tormented by strange and terrifying events. And who’s this family, you might be wondering? Well, the movie focuses on the Smurls. Now, I’ll be honest here, I had no idea who the Smurls were before this, but between 1974 and 1989, Jack and Janet Smurl claimed their home was haunted by a demon. So how do the Warrens end up in the middle of all this? The real story is way more low-key than what the movie gives us, but that’s exactly why we’re watching.
And don’t worry, I’m not about to spoil anything. What I can say is that the movie introduces the idea that Ed and Lorraine’s daughter, Judy, might be “gifted” just like them. Something about her connection pulls the family toward the Smurls, which eventually drags the reluctant Warrens into helping. As the investigation unfolds, Lorraine realizes the entity haunting the Smurls isn’t just any spirit — it’s something she and Ed have faced before.
The film really leans into the theme of legacy, both for the Warrens and the dark forces they’ve been fighting their whole lives. It balances the present danger with callbacks to past horrors pretty well, but what stood out most to me is that it isn’t just about ghosts and demons. At its heart, the story is about the families stuck in the middle. We get a closer look at the Warrens’ personal lives, the victims they’re trying to protect, and even, surprisingly, some of the antagonist’s backstory. I just wish the movie dug a little deeper into why these demons linger, because that extra detail could have added real weight to the choices being made on both sides. Still, for what it is, it works.
While this family-first approach adds depth, it also slows the film’s pacing. The setup lingers longer than expected, and the horror elements take their time creeping in. But once the paranormal activity kicks off, it’s a familiar Conjuring rollercoaster, full of unsettling moments, sharp scares, and eerie atmosphere.
Walking out of the theater, I couldn’t help but feel a little underwhelmed. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely some solid scares, and Wilson and Farmiga once again give heartfelt performances that carry a lot of weight. But the movie never quite captured that sinister, lingering dread the earlier entries had—the kind that makes you keep the lights on for a week.
On top of that, the tone jumps around a bit too much. At times it felt less like a horror movie and more like I’d accidentally walked into an action flick. And like plenty of films that build up their villain to be insanely powerful, it eventually has to wrap things up in a way that feels a little… cheap. Maybe even a little goofy. You spend half the movie thinking, “Wow, how are they going to beat this thing?” and then by the end it’s like, “Oh, that’s it boy?”
The Conjuring: Last Rites isn’t a perfect film, but it does feel like a decent farewell for the duo we’ve all grown attached to over the years. Now, do I think this is truly the end of the series? Honestly, probably not, but that’s just me guessing as a fan who’s seen horror franchises come back from the dead more times than the demons they’re fighting. I could totally see them continuing with Ed and Lorraine’s daughter Judy, and let’s be real, those spin-off films still have a little juice left in them too. My 4DX viewing definitely made the ride more chaotic (and hilarious) with the seats tossing me around, but even without that, this one’s worth seeing on the big screen. If you do check it out, swing by our Instagram page and tell us what you thought—I’d love to hear your take.