An honest review of “The Conjuring: Last Rites”

BY CAROLINE CRAIN

News Editor

“The Conjuring” universe has grown into one of the most recognizable horror franchises of the last decade. It began with “The Conjuring” in 2013 and expanded into a sprawling lineup: “The Conjuring 2,” “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” three “Annabelle” films (“Annabelle,” “Annabelle: Creation,” “Annabelle Comes Home”), “The Nun” and “The Nun II” and “The Curse of La Llorona.” While not in every movie, Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga respectively, remained the heart of the story.

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” was released on Sept. 5, marking the latest and final chapter in the long-running horror franchise. Because my friends and I had already watched the entire series in the past, I was especially excited to see how this final installment would bring it all to a close.

Initial impressions

My first impressions and expectations of the movie were formed from the trailer. From the preview, the action is set in 1986, which is the last in the series chronologically (the previous movies spanned from 1952-1981). It tells that the Warrens will face the demon from their first possession case, which they had initially fled from. It also hints at a larger role for their daughter, who was more of a minor character in previous films. Finally, Lorraine seems to end up in a lot of danger – and a lot of blood.

The trailer included a few references to earlier movies, and, true to the series, I also anticipated a lot of jump scares. In the very beginning of the film, text crawled across the screen saying the following events would “devastate their family and bring their careers to an end.”

I won’t give anything away, but that opening immediately made it clear this film would raise the stakes higher than ever.

Film style

This movie fits in perfectly with the rest of the universe’s film style, from story progression to specific framing of shots. The lighting, in particular, struck me in this movie, though. It painted scenes as soft, scary, intense, reminiscent, happy, tragic or whatever the aimed emotion was through its silent use.

As I predicted, the film had no shortage of jumpscares and creepy figures looming in and emerging from the shadows. The franchise has mastered the art of building suspense and doesn’t always “follow through" with it to keep the audience on their toes. The film has moments that will literally make you hold your breath.

However, to this same notion, some plot points or scenes become rather predictable, especially if you are used to the series’ style. You can often tell when a character is about to encounter something demonic, or at least brace yourself for a jumpscare.

Cast

I think the acting and casting choices in this film were phenomenal. Mia Tomlinson’s portrayal of Judy Warren was especially memorable, capturing both her character and the intensity of her journey throughout the film.

Ben Hardy as Tony Spera and Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, Rebecca Calder and Elliot Cowan as Heather, Dawn, Janet and Jack Smurl, respectively, all gave notable performances as well.

Wilson and Farmiga gave great performances, as always. However, I wasn’t thrilled with some of the creative decisions and how the script portrayed Lorraine, at times straying from her usual strength and letting distress and fear take over. Still, I love Farmiga and think she embodies the character as she was tasked to.

I can’t forget to mention young Lorraine, played by Madison Lawlor. She conveyed very strong emotion, making her scenes incredibly impactful and impossible to ignore.

A satisfying addition to the conclusive movie was the number of cameos throughout. The characters of Father Gordon (played by Steve Coulter) and Judy played bigger roles in the plot, but other familiar faces—like Officer Brad Hamilton (played by John Brotherton) from the initial “The Conjuring,” Drew Thomas (played by Shannon Kook) featured in all three “Conjuring” movies and a whole slew of characters who had encountered demons throughout the cinematic universe—also made appearances.

CGI

I cannot review this movie honestly without sharing my thoughts on the CGI, and to be frank, I didn’t like most of it. Over time, the Conjuring universe has increasingly relied on CGI and similar techniques to make its antagonists appear scary or uncanny. Lately, it feels like it’s reached a point where the effects are too heavy and don’t blend naturally with the real-world settings. At times, the renderings look more like high-quality video game graphics than something that belongs alongside live actors, which can be distracting and pull you out of the story.

That said, I do think there can be tactful use of CGI, but heavy reliance or complete replacement of practical effects doesn’t always work. It’s a very delicate balance.

Story

Despite some downsides, I did genuinely like the story; it was a good mix of humor, romance and, of course, horror. Whether or not you believe the events on which the film is based, the narrative itself is enticing.

As I mentioned earlier, though, the style of the film makes some events fairly predictable. I wouldn’t say you could guess the entire plot from beginning to end, but many scenes and plot points aren’t hard to figure out, especially if you’re familiar with the rest of the franchise.

Also, if you aren’t familiar with the franchise, I don’t think you'll be lost. I dragged along my roommate, who had never seen any of the series’ films, and she said the plot was easily understandable and enjoyable without any background knowledge.

This isn’t to say the film is completely devoid of references to past movies; as I’ve noted, it certainly includes them. But familiarity with the franchise isn’t essential to enjoying its final addition.

Overall, I think this was a good movie. It delivered on what audiences have come to expect while still leaving its own final mark. While it isn’t without flaw, it was an enjoyable watch, and I’m glad I got to see it.