Ghosts, demons, and a cursed mirror set the stage for what is meant to be the final chapter in the Warrens’ decades-long career as paranormal investigators. The Conjuring: Last Rites, directed by Michael Chaves, reunites Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, tackling one of their most infamous cases: the alleged hauntings of the Smurl family in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, during the late 1970s and early 1980s. While the film has moments of emotional resonance and fan service, it ultimately disappoints by prioritizing sentimentality and romance over the horror and suspense that made the earlier films so gripping.
Going into the movie, I expected a tense, suspense-driven finale full of edge-of-your-seat scares, like the first two films. Instead, the film leans heavily into family drama and romantic elements, which left me wanting more genuine terror. Halloween season is the perfect time for horror films to terrify audiences, but Last Rites feels more like a cozy family gathering than a chilling finale.
The film opens in 1964 with a young, pregnant Lorraine investigating a suicide-related antique mirror alongside Ed. When she touches the mirror, she experiences a terrifying vision of a demon and her unborn child, triggering labor. Ed races her to the hospital through a storm, and during birth, a bald ghostly figure crawls across the ceiling, attempting to reach the newborn. The baby, initially stillborn, is revived through Lorraine’s prayers, establishing a chilling connection between Judy and the cursed mirror.
Years later, the Smurl family unknowingly brings the same mirror into their home for a confirmation ceremony, sparking a string of supernatural events. Furniture moves on its own, foul odors fill the house, and family members are physically and sexually assaulted. Father Gordon’s failed attempt to help the family ends tragically when the demon possesses him, leading to his suicide, while Judy’s psychic powers intensify, drawing Ed, Lorraine, and Tony deeper into the chaos.
From the start, the film struggles to balance horror with family drama. Instead of building suspense, it spends a surprising amount of time on Ed and Lorraine’s romantic relationship and Judy’s inner trauma. Annabelle even makes an over-the-top appearance as a giant doll which lands more as comedic than frightening. The climax—where Judy, guided by Lorraine, finally uses her psychic powers to defeat the demon—feels anticlimactic compared to the tense finales of the first two films. The supernatural threats lack the depth and motivation that made the earlier films’ villains genuinely terrifying.
Unlike the first three Conjuring films, the demon in Last Rites has no name or clear backstory. Instead, it manipulates three ghostly figures to terrorize the Smurl family. Meanwhile, the Warrens’ daughter, Judy, who has psychic abilities and is about to marry Tony Spera, becomes possessed, forcing Ed and Lorraine to step back into action while navigating personal stakes tied to their own family. This shift from a defined antagonist to an almost abstract malevolent force weakens the sense of dread. Without a clear origin or motivation, the demon feels more like a plot device than a truly menacing presence, leaving the suspense underdeveloped compared to the intricate hauntings of the previous films.
One of the few standout moments is Judy and Tony’s wedding. Families the Warrens helped over the years, including the Perrons, the Hodgsons, and David Glatzel, make brief appearances. This scene is touching and provides closure for both characters and the audience, but the rest of the movie leans heavily on sentimentality rather than fear, making the scares predictable and underwhelming.
The marketing of the film also highlights its reliance on nostalgia. Warner Bros. promoted it as the final installment and emphasized the return of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, creating strong demand and boosting ticket sales. It’s clear the studio aimed for emotional payoff over terror, turning what could have been a chilling finale into more of a sentimental send-off.
Overall, The Conjuring: Last Rites isn’t a bad movie, but it falls short of the suspense and terror expected from a Conjuring finale. The wedding scene is heartwarming and provides closure, yet much of the film feels more like a nostalgic farewell than a truly thrilling horror experience. Fans of the series will find moments to enjoy, but those seeking a genuine scare may be disappointed. It’s available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, but for a truly chilling Halloween night, consider saving this one for a calmer day and watching The Conjuring (2013) or Hereditary (2018) instead.
