The Conjuring: Last Rites Review — A Culmination of James Wan's Decade With The Paranormal
Release Date: September 5th, 2025
Director: Michael Chaves
Writer: Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick
Story: James Wan
Producer: James Wan, Peter Safran
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mia Tomlinson
Studio: New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster
There's no denying the sheer force of brilliance of creativity that James Wan has been outputting since him and longtime collaborator Leigh Whannell took cinema and horror by the horns with the illustrious SAW back in 2004. Since then, both Wan and Whannell have gone on to do a multitude of high profile projects both in and out of horror, as partners and individuals, but there's no mistaking that horror is where their strong suit lies, with a unique vision and passion clearly exuding from each subsequent film. Come 2013, and The Conjuring enters the scene once again implementing a new wave of horror in a time the genre was having a renaissance, with complementary releases such as Sinister, It Follows, Evil Dead (2013), Tusk, Creep, The Babadook, The Purge, and As Above So Below to name a few. James Wan's vision to adapting a case from the famous Ed and Lorraine Warren to the big screen would become captivating in ways we hadn't seen in a long time, and this was also due in part to its stellar casting which helped realize his vision tenfold. I think it's safe to say, however, that the biggest surprise wasn't just the fact that it spawned multiple sequels now covering the course of more than a decade, but create its own universe of films spanning all sorts of different objects and demonic entities that the Warrens had acquired and confronted over the years.
The beauty of the horror genre is that they can come in all different shapes and sizes, and its flexibility is what lends itself to such mass appeal where seeing a film isn't just a visual experience - you feel it from head to toe as your heart races, your brain thinks, your body shivers, and your mind is on edge. It's a rollercoaster that becomes a scenic delight by the end when you're sitting in a theater or in a dark room at home putting on that next attempt at survival. It's a thrill that, unlike a lot of other genres throughout a multitude of mediums, is consistently exciting when executed correctly. Solely focusing on The Conjuring, the films have also come in a variety of weight classes that aim to punch above their expected targets, and these have worked to various degrees. The first (like most films) is arguably the most beloved and is continuously talked about to this day, with its excellent writing, edge-of-your-seat sequences, tasteful jump scares, and a production value that most horror movies wish they could attain. It was an introduction into the world of possession and the demonic through the eyes of Ed and Lorraine Warren that gave way to the universe we know of today, but while doing so gave the idea anything and everything could - and likely will - happen. The Conjuring (2013) set the foundation for what we would know now to be The Conjuring Universe, which includes the likes of The Nun and Annabelle (with an "inspired by" Insidious on the side—though this isn't directly related), and each succeeding film would expand on the foundation in a variety of ways, for better or for worse. One thing that has been consistent throughout, however, is that they do a good job at keeping the story beats fast-paced and to the point where the viewer likely doesn't have a chance to breathe. The Conjuring: Last Rites kind of flips the formula on its head, though, and personally it's what made me love it and become my second favorite of the Conjuring films.
The Conjuring: Last Rites is a surprisingly sentimental and emotional story that is, believe it or not, done in a slow-burn type of way. While The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It tried to keep the scares at a rapid pace while telling the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren's battles and how it deeply affects the families being tormented and the people around them (all true stories, mind you), The Conjuring: Last Rites very much felt like the culmination of every film before it, celebrating those moments (despite their traumatic experiences) as they overcome and grow from each paranormal confrontation, the sheer palpable love Ed has for Lorraine and her reciprocation of that love through thick and thin, and doing its best to put on a neatly tied bow at the top once the credits roll. This was done in such a beautiful way that I was so emotionally invested thanks to the great cinematography and performances that I had genuine tears sporadically throughout the film. It touched the heart in ways most horror movies don't because they're hyper-focused on the scares, murders, killers, or whatever the case may be that makes a horror movie exactly that, and while The Conjuring: Last Rites undoubtedly made some sacrifices with its scares and climax in order to make the two-hour film what it ultimately became, I do believe it's better off for it, because this film doesn't just feel like "yet another case" and it feels more adult and rich because of it.
Though The Conjuring: Last Rites is certainly the most mature of all of the films, showing the growth on-screen and off, with those aforementioned sacrifices, it does mean that Last Rites becomes also the least fear-inducing, despite being their most personal and last case to be portrayed on screen from their real life confrontations. Some of the scares can be clever (there's one that occurs with a bed frame that surprisingly got me as it baits the viewer to look elsewhere), but unfortunately a good portion fall flat, though I'm still glad they didn't overdo them with loud arbitrary bangs like most movies tend to do, instead letting the situation instill the scare on its own. In addition, the climax doesn't really feel like much of one, and it can teeter on borderline corny as you get this feeling of "the power of friendship will overcome all" type of comical nonsense during its last moments of the hauntings. A few plot holes unfortunately also trail throughout, though it's not detrimental to the enjoyment of the film. There are just a few questions I would've liked to have answered, especially given that it is purportedly the last time we'll be joining Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as Lorraine and Ed Warren.
No spoilers here, but there are moments during the final act where it's revealed exactly why the family in question is facing these horrible events, and it also extends to how many spirits there are and the involvement of each, but there is an orchestrator behind these events, despite the information, that is never really talked about and is completely glossed over. It was here where things especially began to become uninteresting, as it all just ultimately felt like "well it's happening 'just cause'" and we just have to accept that. I do feel it's worth mentioning that I also am a firm believer that not *everything* needs to be explained, and in a lot of cases I do feel some stories are better off for it, but when it's based off a true story in a grounded setting, it certainly leaves the viewer feeling empty and unfulfilled.
Despite a lackluster finale, however, the sequences following are rather heartfelt, and if you've been following these films since the beginning and have found an affinity for the supernatural and paranormal following the works of Ed and Lorraine Warren on and off screen, the emotional impact is rather strong and "feel good" in this regard. It's here especially where you really begin to see the entire universe come together as "one last hoorah", and you can't help but smile and feel that love and attachment once the final text appears and credits begin, even with its eerie backdrop.
Now, it would be remiss of me to finish this assessment without mentioning the performances, because Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson once again prove why they are the heart and soul of The Conjuring franchise in Last Rites. Their portrayal of Lorraine and Ed Warren is steeped in emotional depth and lived-in chemistry that has been evident since their first shared frame in The Conjuring back in 2013, bringing a sense of gravitas to the film’s haunted narrative. Farmiga’s performance is especially powerful, capturing Lorraine’s psychic vulnerability with subtle intensity, while Wilson balances Ed’s stoic resolve with flashes of tenderness and weariness. Their scenes together—whether confronting demonic forces or simply sharing a glance—carry the weight of a decade-long journey, making this final chapter feel like a true culmination of their characters’ arc.
Though Farmiga and Wilson have had illustrious careers with projects that continue to prove why they’re some of the best in film, it’s also worth mentioning that newcomer Mia Tomlinson, stepping into the role of Judy Warren, delivers a breakout performance that holds her own alongside the veteran leads. She brings a fresh energy and emotional sincerity to the film, portraying the inherited psychic abilities from her mother with a mix of fear, curiosity, and courage. A personal standout moment in the film from Mia Tomlinson comes during a chilling sequence in a mirrored fitting room, where her subtle expressions convey dread all while she attempts to calm herself down simultaneously. Her dynamic with Farmiga and Wilson adds a compelling generational layer to the story, suggesting that the legacy of the Warrens may continue—if not in sequels, then certainly in spirit.
As someone who feels a deep attachment to the horror genre, whether they're games, movies, manga, books, and so on, it's bittersweet to see The Conjuring come to a close, and though that doesn't necessarily mean the universe won't continue to expand or Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson can't reprise their roles elsewhere, it’s still an emotional goodbye to a corner of horror that understood the psychological as well as the supernatural — a reminder that the genre can teach as much as it terrifies. In its own way, Last Rites embodies the yin and yang of horror: darkness and light, fear and hope, endings and new beginnings.
