Verdict: 3.5/5
‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ is the final epic battle to close out the ‘Conjuring’ universe.
Being a long time fan of this franchise, I was eager to witness the case that allegedly made Ed and Lorraine Warren hang up their crucifixes for good.
The story has two plots, one centred around the relationship between Lorraine Warren and her daughter Judy, and the other detailing the paranormal activity taking place at the Smurl family residence. These two storylines collide when an object from Ed and Lorraine’s past pulls them into a battle against the devil once more.
The story itself is engaging to watch, however I would’ve liked more focus on the Smurl family haunting rather than Lorraine and Judy. Their story is meaningful and adds an emotional element to the film, which I appreciate, however I was there to be scared – and I was.
Just going into the cinema knowing I’m about to watch a ‘Conjuring’ film sends a chill down my spine. This was the first ‘Conjuring’ film I had seen in a cinema, and the experience did not disappoint. Though the jump scares were predictable, that doesn’t mean they weren’t scary. This franchise does a great job of building tension and scaring you even when it’s expected. The visual effects were well done and assisted in creating the overall feeling of fear and confusion the characters experienced in the film.
Some aspects of the film however seemed needless and at points silly, and left me wondering why I needed to see a porcelain doll contort and transform into a giant version of itself. All in all the film was entertaining and had me engaged the entire way through.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga put on a stunning performance once again as Ed and Lorraine Warren, their chemistry palpable. I feel they’ve truly brought the stories of the Warrens to life and have inspired a generation of people to learn about their cases, real or otherwise.
When it comes to movies dealing with the occult, you have to take them with a grain of salt. There is controversy surrounding the Warrens, but if you suspend your belief, it doesn’t take away from the experience of the film.
See this movie at Event Cinemas Parramatta.
Madeline Dantier is the author of the Experience Parramatta series, hosted by Parra News.