“The Conjuring: Last Rites” follows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they travel to Pennsylvania to vanquish a demon from a family’s home.
“The case that ended it all.” That’s how the film presents itself, and unlike many so-called franchise finales, this one delivers on that promise.
A Family Affair
This is a true full-circle experience, and it all revolves around family. The paranormal follows the Warrens through generations, making this installment feel like a family affair from beginning to end.
As with the other three main “Conjuring” films, Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren) and Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren) remain the focal points. Their chemistry is as strong as ever, building on the foundation of the past entries. Their everlasting connection rings high and mighty through the final shot, cementing their legacy as horror icons.
While the real-life Warrens remain controversial, the characters themselves are undoubtedly cinematic classics. Much of that is thanks to Wilson and Farmiga’s grounded, consistent portrayals.
A welcome addition here is Mia Tomlinson, who portrays Judy Warren. She anchors the film with a performance that feels both grounded and chaotic, reaching high highs and low lows while keeping the character whole.
Ben Hardy (Tony Spera) also makes his presence felt, adding a new dynamic to the Warren family. In a franchise centered on family, the addition of an outsider makes a big difference. Hardy’s character brings balance, and the film benefits from his presence.
Stunning Shots and Scares
Director Michael Chaves, who stumbled with “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” bounces back. The visuals and cinematography are top-notch, with creative camerawork sprinkled throughout. In its most tense moments, the film leans on fast-moving cuts, swirling shots and sharp editing to heighten the terror.
“Last Rites” does tend to over-rely on CGI in unnecessary moments. But these brief missteps don’t overshadow the film’s beauty. With dynamic lighting, tight corridors and classic horror setups, the movie develops a confident style and sticks with it.
The scares also cycle through nearly every scenario in the book. While some may find this exhausting, it feels more like a nostalgic homage that works.
Cementing the Warrens’ Legacy
The story rises above its predecessor as well, returning to the roots of a haunted house movie. The slow-burn buildup spends over half its runtime layering character development. Once the chaos finally unravels, the payoff hits all the harder.
At 135 minutes, however, the film can feel bloated. With so many characters to cover, dialogue often outweighs action, and certain stretches drag. Still, the finale more than makes up for it with an ending that just feels right.
It’s not without faults, but there’s so much to love about this movie. It’s a fitting end to a classic horror franchise that doesn’t hold back on the scares. Where other series end with a whimper, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” manages to tie a neat bow on the Warrens’ story.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
