THE CONJURING: LAST RITES Interviews with Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mia Tomlinson, and Ben Hardy

The Conjuring: Last Rites is now in theaters and I had an opportunity to take part in a press day with a handful of other journalists, catching up with the cast and creator of the film. For the next installment of this feature series, here are choice quotes from our conversations with Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mia Tomlinson, and Ben Hardy, talking about research, paranormal activity, and much more:

How much research did you do into this case and how it affected the Warrens?

Vera Farmiga: I had spoken quite a bit to Lorraine about the Smurl case back in the day. They were very public with it and there were a lot of interviews they [the Warrens and the Smurl family] had given, so there is a lot online to take in. It was really [about] focusing on what is our story that we're telling this time around. Yes, there's this family haunting, but really it's just [about] this entity that wants the Warrens and it's using the Smurls to get at them.

I always just watch every interview that Lorraine did on the Smurl case, and it informed us in terms of even the clothes that I'm wearing in this one and the tone of voice that [Lloraine] uses.

Having immersed yourself in this world, the franchise, and also the real-world story behind it, how has this impacted your personal views on the supernatural?

Mia Tomlinson: I was already like a believer, quite a strong believer anyway. The film obviously deals with the dark paranormal, which is the part that you don't want to draw in. The real Judy Warren very kindly came over to visit and she gave me a bracelet that she made. She makes these bracelets that have pieces of Lorraine's jewels on them from her clothing.

It's a bracelet that I have on and it's also in the dinner scene when Lorraine touches my hand. I wanted to put it in as a little gem and an honor to her. So, for me, during the filming process, I wore this bracelet relentlessly, even if it wasn't needed in a scene, I'd have to tuck it up my sleeve or have it on my side table and touch it before I go on because I just felt very protected by it. And that's because I am a believer of ghosts and all things very scary.

Ben Hardy: I'm not a believer, but I'm not a non-believer either. My mind's open to it, but maybe I am more cynical about it. Throughout this process, I heard a lot more of the stories, like Vera's got stories about having a bruises in the shape of the crucifix. And, and so that kind of stuff is mad. But I think for me personally, I think I need to experience it myself. Not that don't believe these other people, but for me to truly believe, I need to experience something myself. Definitely doing these films has opened my eyes to the possibility of it more so.

What memories do you have of seeing the first film and how did that impact you?

Ben Hardy: I maybe I look more youthful than I am potentially, but I saw it at the cinema and I remember finding it absolutely spine-chilling. It's surreal almost to have been seeing it as a viewer of the very first film and now to be here talking to you as an actor as part of the franchise. So it's definitely a real pinch-me moment for sure.

Mia Tomlinson: I didn't actually see it [originally], admittedly. I seemed to wait until I was auditioning for the role. I was a bit more scared, but my agent is a mega fan of The Conjuring film. So when this audition came through, I remember he called me and he was like, "Mia, seriously, you need to get this role." It was more about him than it was about me [laughs].

So I watched the films the night before I went in for my casting, which wasn't the best idea. I watched [the first] Conjuring and Annabelle Comes Home. I ended up showing up to my casting, not having slept. I'd spent the whole night up sweating. You know that feeling of being under your covers and you're coming up for a little bit of air every now and then. I was so terrified and I walked in. I think I instantly said, "Congratulations guys, you've done your job. I am absolutely terrified." I've now arrived and I am very, very tired. I think I was gray with massive eye bags.

Commenting on the paranormal activity they've experienced over the years:

Patrick Wilson: Yeah, we've had our share. I mean, my God, we shot the first film on location at in Wilmington. You feel the weight of those things. The weird thing is when it really does happen, you don't want to talk about it. Of course, in this situation with you guys, it makes for great stuff, but it's very difficult when it does [happen], because we're people. And so when things really happen, it's uncomfortable. It's not great. So we don't typically like to talk about it. I'm not going to lie. Vera's had plenty of things, which she could discuss, but I'm not going to.

Vera Farmiga: [Sharing a photo] Look at that. These are real bruises and real bizarre shapes on my body, and it happens every film, time and time again. It doesn't happen to him. I guess I'm the susceptible one. I'm the vulnerable one that gets hammered by whatever is trying to nail us time and time again. It happens all the time. And I mean, you can look at those shapes and it's like three crosses. Whether I show you my thigh upside down, it could be upside down or right side up.

[It makes for] great press, but it's not fun when it happens to you and it's completely inexplicable. I don't sit there pressing my thigh [trying] to create a good story... the stuff has happened to me time and time again. Lorraine would be the first one to tell you: don't give it so much attention.

Which one of you is actually better at ping pong? (Minor Spoilers)

Ben Hardy: Oh man, I feel like Patrick didn't really give me his like 100%. I would have loved to have actually had to play the real game, but we were playing for the purposes of filming. We had the director sort of shouting out: "Patrick, you win, you score." One of the hardest parts of this filming process, Aaron, was having to lose that match. That's what really cut me. That was the hardest part of this job [laughs].

What are you most proud of having accomplished as characters individually and together since first appearing in The Conjuring?

Vera Farmiga: We have made casting out demons together romantic. How do we bring even more love and even more goo? These are two people who finish exorcisms together, but they also finish each other's sentences. In the middle of all the chaos and the terror is this really unwavering, really tender connection between them.

I think we figured out very early on that the special effects weren't going to be the ghosts and the scares. It was going to be in the glances between him and me. I think it's just something wildly sexy and romantic about saving each other from possession.

Patrick Wilson: It's such a weird thing that we've achieved with these two characters. I think that's really special... we're very conscious of that. When you start talking about those kinds of memorable [horror] performances, and to feel like your bond with your co-star has become that recognized because of the amount of people that have seen these films, that is very special and we wear that with gratitude. If I could rewind to 2011 before getting this and seeing that logline, with the character description [of playing] a demon-hunting soulmate, like... what does that even mean? How are we going to deliver that? And who knew that it would honestly be the most emotionally demanding role of my career.

[Editor's Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]