The Conjuring: Last Rites

For almost fifty years, Hollywood has been telling the stories of Ed and Lorraine Warren. It began with the release of The Amityville Horror in 1979, but truly gained momentum with The Conjuring in 2013. Since then, “The Conjuring Universe” has expanded to nine films—of varying successes—and now we’ve reached what feels like the end. For some, it will hit harder than others. This ending marks Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s curtain call as Ed and Lorraine Warren, and fans can only hope the series goes out on a high note.

In 1986, in a small Pennsylvania town, a family’s life takes a dark turn when a gift for their teenage daughter invites an unwelcome presence into their home. Strange and terrifying events begin to unfold, and the Smurl family finds themselves desperate for help—yet seemingly abandoned. The Warrens have retired, with Ed (Patrick Wilson) struggling with his health, while Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) is determined to protect their daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson), whom they nearly lost at birth.

But the Smurls’ situation grows more and more dire, and Judy—like her mother—has inherited the gift of second sight. Having resisted it her entire life, she’s now faced with a choice she can’t ignore. When Judy goes to the Smurl family, Ed, Lorraine, and Judy’s boyfriend Tony (Ben Hardy) rush to save her from the horrors in that house. Once there, Ed and Lorraine are convinced to intervene, facing perhaps their most daunting challenge yet.

Written by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, The Conjuring: Last Rites feels like a fitting send-off for the Warrens. While it doesn’t reach the chilling heights of the first two installments, it fares better than the previous entry, thanks to a more personal focus. Unlike The Devil Made Me Do It, which felt like just another “case of the week,” Last Rites feels more aligned with the emotional weight of the earlier films. The first half spends time showing the Warrens adjusting to retirement—but fear not, there are still plenty of hauntings to keep you up at night.

The Conjuring: Last Rites works as a good horror movie, but more importantly, it’s a great farewell to its two stars. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are among the best screen duos of the past fifteen years, and their chemistry here might leave fans reaching for tissues. Regardless of what you think of the real-life Warrens, Farmiga and Wilson made the cinematic versions compelling, and they gave us a reason to care about their supernatural battles.

Director Michael Chaves allows the film to breathe, letting genuine and personal moments shine through. Ultimately, Last Rites is more than just another tale of things that go bump in the night—it’s also a family drama that brings a twelve-year story full circle. I’ll miss seeing Wilson and Farmiga in these roles, and I’m sure fans will too. Luckily, Last Rites gives the Warrens a heartfelt goodbye into that deep, dark, unknown.