The Conjuring: Last Rites

GoMovieReviews Rating: ★★★

Rated: MA15+

Directed by: Michael Chaves

Screenplay by: Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick

Story by: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, James Wan

Based on Characters by: Chad Hayes, Carey W. Hayes

Produced by: James Wan, Peter Safran

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy, Rebecca Calder, Eliot Cowan, Kila Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, Molly Cartwright, John Brotherton, Shannon Kook.

We don’t run from fights, right?

In true, based on a true story, The Conjuring style, Last Rites begins with a recording of an interview between Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson), and Victoria Granger who needs their help.

‘There’s something in there.’

Noted as their final case, Last Rites origins are set in 1964.

Young and pregnant Lorraine braves the calling of what’s on the other side of the veil, to come up against a threat to her family.  Her unborn child.

Fast forward to 1986 and the Smurl family of eight are a multigenerational family living under the same roof.  After their youngest daughter, Heather’s (Kila Lord Cassidy) confirmation, the infestation of their home begins.

The devil has come to Pennsylvania.

But Ed and Lorraine have retired.

The Warrens don’t chase away the devil anymore.  They want a quiet academic life and time spent with their daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson).  Now growing up, Judy has a boyfriend, Tony (Ben Hardy) she wants to introduce to the family.

So there’s a difference here, to the previous Conjuring instalments.

Ed and Lorrain have turned a chapter in their lives.  They’re getting older.  They don’t want to face anymore evil.

Meanwhile, the evil attacking the Smurl family increases in intensity until they can no longer ignore what’s happening in their home: a spirit is trying to kill them.

Writing this review, and thinking back to the presence making itself know, the film seems scarier than when I was watching.

I’ve been trying to figure out why this Conjuring instalment didn’t get a genuine scare – for me, I think because I didn’t relate to the characters this time.

Some of the scares I could see coming.  And the basement of a house features again.  As does Annabelle.

Apart from the Warrens growing as a family, the formula of, Last Rites felt well-rehearsed in this final instalment.

Final, yet, I can see potential for a continued journey, so wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an offshoot, another Conjuring universe coming.

But this feels final for the characters that we know as Ed and Lorraine.

And I hope the team come up with something fresh and different because the premise feels overdone here, with an added flavour of nostalgia.

It was a disappointing farewell for me.

Not saying the film was all bad.

The suspense did rise as the film progressed, but it took a long time to warm up.  And a lot of family drama to get there.