Serving as a sequel to 2021’s The Devil Made Me Do It, The Conjuring: Last Rites closes the doors on one of horror’s most popular franchises. Sadly, instead of a thrilling farewell, the film delivers a weak and cluttered conclusion.
The series’ signature strength—the bond between paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga)—remains central, but the spark has dimmed. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that both the flesh and spirit of the franchise are running out of energy,
The Warrens, who have fearlessly stepped into countless haunted homes (the number “a thousand” is even thrown around here), deserved a much more powerful exit. Instead, the narrative feels overstuffed and unfocused. Too many characters, too many threads, and too little tension leave the demon-fighting moments rushed and unimpressive.
Because this is the franchise’s swan song, the script also shifts focus to the Warrens themselves.
Meanwhile, Ed’s declining health and the Warrens’ semi-retirement add a sense of fragility. Inevitably, their paths cross with the Smurls in a tangled storyline that never fully comes together.
Director Michael Chaves delivers a few atmospheric touches, but nothing that matches the earlier intensity of the franchise. What once set The Conjuring films apart—the slow-burn dread, emotional weight, and believable family dynamics—feels diluted here.
Verdict: The Conjuring: Last Rites is more farewell tour than fright fest. Despite strong performances by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, the film lacks suspense, coherence, and memorable scares.
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy
Director: Michael Chaves
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