A Legacy of Horror That Changed the Game
When The Conjuring debuted in 2013, few could have predicted that it would grow into the most successful horror cinematic universe of all time. With over $2 billion at the global box office, the series has redefined how modern horror works on a large scale. It has balanced deeply human storytelling with some of the most terrifying set pieces ever put to screen. James Wan and Peter Safran built this world carefully, weaving in spinoffs like Annabelle and The Nun while keeping the heart of it all centered on Ed and Lorraine Warren. Now, after years of demons, cursed objects, and restless spirits, The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives as both a ninth installment and the Warrens’ swan song. It carries the weight of legacy while still managing to scare the living daylights out of you.
An IMAX Experience That Heightens Every Shadow
From the moment the film begins, you realize that watching Last Rites in IMAX makes a world of difference. This movie thrives in the dark, with extended sequences lit only by candlelight, shadows, or the faintest glow of a flashlight. The cinematography forces you to lean in, daring you to question whether you really saw something moving in the corner of the frame. Sometimes you did. Sometimes you didn’t. That game of perception is one of the film’s greatest strengths, and the sheer clarity of IMAX projection amplifies every detail. The way the camera pulls in tight with close-ups, then blurs its focus to hide and reveal horrors, makes the viewing experience relentless. It is proof that horror works best when your eyes are straining for certainty, and here, the big-screen format guarantees every flicker lands with force.
The Smurl Haunting and the Warren Family Bond
Based on the real-life Smurl haunting of 1986, this final chapter takes Ed and Lorraine into territory that feels familiar yet more personal than ever. Once again they are prisoners of their chosen path, tied to a field of research and investigation that has cost them comfort, peace, and sometimes even sanity. But Last Rites isn’t just about the Warrens confronting a new evil. It’s also about their daughter Judy, played with strength and sensitivity by Mia Tomlinson.
For years Judy has lived in the shadow of her parents’ work, but in this story her arc blossoms into something vital. At first it feels like the film is simply exploring Judy’s perspective on her parents, but it quickly grows into a much larger reflection on the bond of the entire Warren family. By the time the third act erupts, the stakes feel different than any other Conjuring film because it’s not just about survival or defeating a demon. It’s about the Warrens facing down the totality of their history together, their faith in one another, and the cost of a life spent battling evil.
Relentless Terror with Perfectly Timed Relief
For longtime fans of this universe, the nods and returns hit hard. The infamous artifact room makes a chilling reappearance, filled with cursed relics from over 1,000 past cases. Some old faces show up, deepening the sense of this being the end of an era. And then there’s Annabelle. She isn’t just a background Easter egg here. She is back, and her presence is felt in a way that reconnects the finale to the roots of the franchise. Combined with stock footage of the real Warrens and Smurl family over the credits, the film blurs the line between the cinematic story and its historical inspiration. It’s a reminder that this franchise has always lived in the shadow of “based on a true story,” which makes the scares all the more potent.
Craft, Style, and Scares
What really elevates Last Rites is the craft on display. The cinematography grows bolder as the film deepens, making use of blurred lenses, off-kilter framing, and vivid bursts of color when the story demands it. The low-light photography is especially impressive, turning darkness into a character in its own right. The sound design and score keep nerves raw, alternating between eerie silence and sharp sonic stings that jolt your system. The effects work leans heavily on practical techniques, with CGI used sparingly. This grounds the film’s most terrifying moments and makes them feel tactile. By the time the third act arrives, Last Rites is firing on all cylinders. It is the most intense finale the Conjuring universe has ever delivered, pushing Ed, Lorraine, and Judy to their breaking point in a showdown that feels both exhausting and cathartic.
A Final Case File Worth Remembering
At its heart, this film is about bringing the Warrens’ story full circle. The closing sequences tie their first cases to this last one, making the arc feel complete. Watching Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson here is a reminder of why these movies worked in the first place. Their chemistry, banter, and emotional depth have anchored the franchise for years, and this time around they give their most heartfelt performances yet. Mia Tomlinson’s Judy adds a new dimension that makes the family bond the emotional anchor of the story. By the time the credits roll and the stock footage of the real Warrens plays, it feels like a proper goodbye. The Conjuring: Last Rites is not just a scare machine, though it excels at that. It is also a family drama disguised as horror, a film that leaves you rattled but strangely satisfied.
If this truly is the end, then the Conjuring series has gone out on top. And if there is more to come in the wider universe, this chapter ensures the Warrens’ legacy is sealed. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself checking the shadows on your way out of the theater.
Editor-in-Chief | Owner
I’m a dedicated aficionado of all things movies, pop culture, and entertainment. With a passion for storytelling and a love for the silver screen, I’m constantly immersed in the world of cinema, exploring new releases, classics, and hidden gems alike. As a fervent advocate for the power of film to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought, I enjoy sharing my insights, reviews, and recommendations with fellow enthusiasts.