Review: THE CONJURING: LAST RITES is Heartfelt Final Chapter for Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga

For the last 12 years, newer horror fans haven't seen Freddy or Jason dominating the box office. And in terms of total franchise earnings, it wasn't Michael or Jigsaw either. Instead, it was The Conjuring franchise, anchored by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren. Playing fictional versions of the real-life and controversial paranormal investigating duo, Wilson and Farmiga had an instant chemistry that propelled the excellent James Wan-directed first film into a horror franchise juggernaut, especially with worldwide audiences. But every franchise eventually runs its course, and The Conjuring: Last Rites is being billed as the last film for Wilson and Farmiga. If that truly is the case, Last Rites stands as a fitting tribute, celebrating their remarkable 12-year journey with a story that has as much heart as scares.

Not too dissimilar from The Conjuring 2, the story of Last Rites doesn't just focus on a single "haunting." Instead, we follow the impact of an early investigation for the Warrens before jumping to 1986, where Judy Warren is now starting to show more advanced abilities like her mother. At the same time, a family in Pittsburgh is desperate for help when they are plagued by the supernatural in their home. Of course, you'll have to watch for yourself to see how it all ties together.

Wilson and Farmiga continue to deliver fantastic performances, energizing every scene they share. While audiences come for the scares, they stay for the undeniable bond between these two, which they make seem effortless. Even after 12 years, you'll still find yourself concerned for them, despite knowing the outcome. However, Last Rites isn't just about Ed and Lorraine. It’s also a story grounded in family, with two families defending themselves against the supernatural: the Warrens, including their daughter Judy, and the Smurl family in Pittsburgh, being terrorized by forces beyond their understanding. It’s no small feat to stand out beside Wilson and Farmiga, but Mia Tomlinson as Judy impresses, proving she’s a natural star. I’d love to see the franchise continue with her and Ben Hardy, who also feels like a natural addition to this universe. The cast that makes up the Smurl family does a great job of setting the stage for the events that happen later in the film, but, to be fair, the Warrens, along with Ben Hardy, are the main focus of the story.

Director Michael Chaves continues to sharpen his skills as a filmmaker, and it shows that he's learned from his experiences on The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II. There's a level of confidence in this film when it comes to how Chaves scares and unnerves the audiences that really impressed me, along with some gags that franchise fans will certainly appreciate. The film is packed with non-stop supernatural events that will leave less seasoned horror fans on edge. Still, Last Rites doesn’t quite hit the scare benchmarks set by films like The Conjuring 2 or the fun of Annabelle Comes Home. Where it excels, however, is in character. Chaves lets the film breathe with genuine, personal moments between Wilson and Farmiga, including an awkward conversation with Judy’s boyfriend and a playful ping pong match at a family gathering. I found myself surprised at how much I was enjoying scenes that had no supernatural elements whatsoever, which is a rarity for this type of film. In this case, Last Rite’s extended runtime feels not just well-earned, but necessary.

Ultimately, The Conjuring: Last Rites is more than just another haunting movie. It’s a testament to the chemistry between Wilson and Farmiga and the creative vision of Chaves and the entire team that leaves us eager to spend more time with these characters. You may leave the film a little sad that this may be the last we see of Wilson and Farmiga in these roles, but more than that, I felt incredibly thankful that we were able to spend the last 12 years with them and these passionate, talented creators (especially James Wan, Michael Chaves, and Gary Dauberman) in a horror universe that is filled with scares and heart.

Movie Score: 3.5/5