Saying Goodbye to the Warrens: My Thoughts on The Conjuring: Last Rites
So, I finally got to see The Conjuring: Last Rites, and wow. As a huge fan of this franchise, I’ve been waiting for this one, especially since it’s supposed to be the final case for Ed and Lorraine Warren. And I’m happy to say, it really felt like a proper farewell.
This time around, the story is based on the famous Smurl haunting from the 1980s. But what made it so good was how they tied it into the Warrens’ personal life. We get to see them come out of retirement, and there’s a big focus on their daughter, Judy, who’s got her mom’s special “sight.” This made the whole thing feel so much more personal and emotional, not just another ghost-hunting mission.
As always, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are fantastic. It’s just so easy to believe they’re a real couple who’ve been through so much. You can really feel how tired they are of fighting demons, but they can’t walk away when a family is in trouble. And a big shout-out to Mia Tomlinson, who plays Judy. She was a great addition to the story and her character arc was super interesting—it even felt like a hint at where the series might go next.
Now, for the scary stuff. This movie relies a lot on jump scares, and a lot of them got me, especially in the first half. There’s this one part with a creepy mirror and the Smurl family that had me on the edge of my seat. I have to admit, it didn’t have that constant, bone-chilling tension that the first movie had, and the pacing felt a little slow in the middle. The final fight with the demon also felt a bit rushed, but it was still an epic conclusion to their journey.
Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. It’s a solid horror flick with some great scares, but it’s the emotional story about the Warrens and their family that really makes it special. If you’ve been with them since the beginning, this is a must-watch and a perfect way to say goodbye to Ed and Lorraine.
My Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars