Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) are back from retirement to fight the supernatural in “The Conjuring: Last Rites.” The film, laden with jump scares, disembodied voices and depictions of demonic entities, strikes fear into even the most seasoned horror movie watcher.
The ninth installment offers the final cherry on top of an iconic horror movie franchise, featuring films such as “Annabelle” and “The Nun.” Written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg and directed by Michael Chaves, the Warrens return to fight “evil unlike they’ve ever encountered,” complete with their psychic daughter and a malevolent mirror.
The film is loosely based on the true story of the Smurl hauntings. The family moved to a house in suburban Pennsylvania, expecting a fresh start. Instead, Jack (Elliot Cowan) and Janet Smurl (Rebecca Calder), along with their four daughters, were met with spirits that pushed the family down the stairs, shattered light fixtures and threw their dog against the wall.
“Last Rites” focuses more on the family dynamic of the Warrens rather than the facts of the real-life case, featuring the sweet wedding of their daughter, Judy. It displays the on-screen chemistry of Ed and Lorraine and encourages viewers to root for their story of enduring love through many trials and tribulations. Before the audience can arrive at that point, however, the movie proves that there must be blood (and jumpscares).
The film itself proved somewhat less frightening than its predecessors, relying heavily on haunted dolls (how many does a girl need?) and bloody gore. Past films in the franchise had a sense of bone-chilling demonic fear that clings to the spirit, but “Last Rites” felt almost lackluster in comparison. Perhaps it was the happy ending, but like Ed and Lorraine Warren, this film felt ready to be retired.
Judy Warren (Mia Tomlinson) has inherited her mother’s psychic abilities and becomes involved in the case. The trio team up to fight the entities, resulting in maybe one too many creepy music boxes and somewhat anti-climactic jumpscares.
The film ends on a sweet note, celebrating the Warrens’ everlasting love for one another, which is a nice send-off to an iconic franchise. However, with the introduction of Warren’s daughter Judy fully equipped with psychic ability, it’s likely this isn’t the last of it.
3 shards of broken glass out of 5
