With Halloween coming up fast, you may be looking for a spooky, but more adult alternative to trick or treating. “The Conjuring: Last Rites” meets that need by combining jump scares and the paranormal, supernatural horror while continuing the story that began in the original “Conjuring” movie which came out in 2013.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is a supernatural horror movie and a classic Halloween fan favorite. The movie has had many previous sequels, with the first movie of the series being created in July of 2013.
Both the original and its sequel, 2016’s “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” are supposedly based on real-life events that took place from 1974 to 1989 in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. A man named Jack Smurl and his family claimed to be experiencing demonic occurrences, such as violent apparitions, eerie sounds, and ghostly attacks.
The first movie opens with two paranormal investigators named Ed and Lorraine Warren, a couple known for examining supernatural cases. At the beginning of the original movie, we see them giving a lecture on their past cases, then begin talking about a creepy doll called “Annabelle.” It sets a dark and scary mood.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” takes place at the end of the Warrens’ cinematic saga. This movie was highly anticipated because it gave “Conjuring” fans the closure and emotional balance that was lacking in the second movie. All three movies are similar in how they portray spiritual warfare, faith, and salvation. When one character is possessed, her soul is in spiritual peril, leading to the “last rites” part of the movie’s title.
This movie wasn’t the scariest out of the “Conjuring” series, as the others had less focus on family drama. Still, “Last Rites” does bring back some nostalgia from the original movies, blending paranormal investigation and family drama.
The actors have real chemistry between the two main characters, Ed and Lorraine Warren, giving the sequel a special touch. There are a lot of Easter eggs. The Annabelle doll from the first “Conjuring” makes an appearance, while there are numerous call-backs relating to the first two movies.
Unlike some B movies, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” has quality production values, a solid soundtrack, and welcome jump scares. The wedding dress mirror room scene provides the scariest jump scare of all the movies.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is not the best “Conjuring” if you’re looking for something that will have you on the edge of your seat, as it does have some dull moments. But overall, it is a fun, kick-back, and nostalgic experience if you like horror movies and appreciate some horror movie classics and jump scares.
I give “The Conjuring: Last Rites” 7 out of 10 stars. I had high expectations, which weren’t quite met, especially in that I was hoping for more demonic elements. Still, it was a good watch. You can still find “The Conjuring: Last Rites” out in theaters and available for purchase or rental on video-on-demand platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
