JustWatchWhat is The Conjuring: Last Rites About?
This is the latest movie in the Conjuring cinematic universe, the horror franchise based on the experiences of two real-life paranormal investigators. It’s 1986, and Ed and Lorraine Warren reluctantly investigate a case where demonic forces torment a Pennsylvania family.
The Warrens are getting older, and Ed’s health is under stress, but after a family friend dies, they can’t look away. Will the case that became known as the Smurl Haunting prove to be their last?
Our Honest The Conjuring: Last Rites Review
We should probably pre-empt this by stating that we don’t believe in ghosts. You can call us sceptics, but we find it very difficult to believe that the events depicted in the Conjuring series are genuine. They might be based on alleged real-life cases, but we strongly suspect they’ve been injected with a hefty dose of imagination.
That being said, we really enjoy these movies. The Conjuring: Last Rites delivers another thrilling spooky story, and we had lots of fun, even if it was predictable. It’s a good old-fashioned, things-go-bump-in-the-night genre piece, and if you enjoy seeing nervous people shining torches into dark corners and getting jump scares, this is mandatory viewing.
What Do the Critics Think of The Conjuring: Last Rites?
The Conjuring: Last Rites received mixed reviews from critics. It wasn’t regarded as the best movie in the Conjuring franchise, but the two leads were both praised, and the scares were described as effective. It currently holds a 59% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- “Thanks to Wilson and Farmiga, who know the exact register of intensity to play these characters, it’s easy to remain invested in Ed and Lorraine, their work and their love slightly out of time.” – Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic.
- “It might not conjure something phenomenal, but, for longtime fans, it’s a mostly fitting curtain call for a franchise that always believed in its own ghosts.” – Maxwell Rabb, Chicago Reader.
- “Such subtlety has largely vanished by the final reel, sadly, but this is still a suitably shiver-inducing farewell to the Warrens.” – Ed Potton, The Times.
- “I don’t mind bunk. But what I mind is 135 minutes in which half of it is sub-Poltergeist Oompa Loompa Ugabooga schlock and the other half is ‘oh, the Warrens’… let’s be real about this: The Warrens were at best kooks and at worst, conmen.” – Mark Kermode, Kermode And Mayo’s Take.
- “As it stands, the film is a disappointing send-off; more an eccentric family drama than a real chiller.” – Beatrice Loayza, New York Times.
What Awards and Nominations did The Conjuring: Last Rites Receive?
The Conjuring: Last Rites hasn’t been nominated for any awards yet. However, we’ve looked into the history of the franchise and are confident it’ll pick up at least one of these:
- Best Horror Movie at the Saturn Awards.
- Favourite Thriller at the People’s Choice Awards.
- Best Director for Michael Chaves at the Fright Meter Awards.
- Best Horror Movie at the IGN Awards.
- Best Horror Remake/Sequel at the iHorror Awards.
Director & Cast of The Toxic Avenger
Michael Chaves has built his career in the horror genre and has established himself as a crucial part of The Conjuring Universe. He directed The Curse Of La Llorona, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and The Nun 2, so we have a feeling his next film won’t be a romantic comedy.
The more we learn about Vera Farmiga, the more we think she might be one of the coolest women alive. Aside from being the star of a major horror film series, she’s also fought Godzilla and sings in a Goth rock band called The Yagas. They’re really good too.
Patrick Wilson has not, to the best of our knowledge, ever sung for a Goth rock band, so he’s not as cool as Vera is. He wins points though, for shouting, “You can call me Ocean Master” in Aquaman (2018). Plus, he’s in Watchmen (2009), which is a better movie than some people would have you believe.
Mia Tomlinson doesn’t have many film or TV credits to her name, but she’s already impressed us. She had a standout role in The Beast Must Die (2021), and we think she’s a great choice to inherit the part of Judy Warren.
Ben Hardy is an English actor who got his first break by playing Peter Beale in EastEnders (1985 – present), a rare example of a character in the show being recast. He’s played Archangel, one of the most underrated X-Men characters, and appeared as ‘Skywalker’ in 6 Underground, which we think was a cheeky way to be linked to the Star Wars franchise without ever appearing in it.
Fun Facts About The Conjuring: Last Rites
- The real Tony Spera and Judy Warren can be seen during the birthday party scene.
- As of 2025, this film holds the record for the highest opening weekend gross for a horror movie. It took in $194 million worldwide; the previous record holder was It (2017) with $190 million.
- Series creator James Wan has a cameo as a wedding guest.
- Heather has a Queen poster on her bedroom wall. Her co-star Ben Hardy previously starred in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) as Queen drummer Roger Taylor.
- The case depicted in this movie was previously portrayed in the 1991 TV movie The Haunted.
Themes of The Conjuring: Last Rites
Like the other films in the series, The Conjuring: Last Rites revolves around supernatural themes. This is a movie about demonic possession and otherworldly forces, but there is a little more to it than jump scares and spookiness.
It’s also a film that’s heavily rooted in familial themes. The pressure of life as paranormal investigators has taken a toll on the Warrens, with Ed’s health in jeopardy, and they’re keen to retire. Their past decisions come back to trouble them however, and to right the wrongs of the path, they have to put themselves at risk. This is paralleled with the Smurl family, whose experiences are comparatively normal, but who come into danger because of issues that the Warrens didn’t resolve years earlier. This is a film where actions have consequences that resonate through history and impact the lives of loved ones and strangers alike.
How Does The Conjuring: Last Rites Compare to Michael Chaves’s Other Work?
The film is incredibly similar to his previous movies. If you’re a fan of The Conjuring universe, you’ll recognise Chaves’s style immediately. His previous projects are full of characters exploring haunted houses and attempting to contact the spirit world, and this film is no different. It is familiar territory for the director, and while it is predictable, he does a grand job.
Iconic Scenes from The Conjuring: Last Rites
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- This is the first Conjuring movie not to star Sterling Jerins as Judy Warren. The film depicts Judy as a grown adult, and while Jerins was 21 at the time, the producers felt she looked too young for the role. Mia Tomlinson takes over the part.
- This is said to be the last film in the franchise to focus on Lorraine and Ed Warren, but Patrick Wilson has expressed interest in returning in the future. In an interview with the Bloody Disgusting website, he said: “We’re in our 50s, and Lorraine lived into her 90s while Ed was in his 70s, so we’re still around.” Mia Tomlinson has also shown interest in reprising the role of Judy.
- Composer Benjamin Wallfisch created the film’s score, replacing series regular Joseph Bishara. Wallfisch previously worked on the music for Annabelle: Creation (2017).
- This film has several Easter eggs for fans of the series. Keep an eye out, and you’ll spot characters from the first three movies.
Best Quotes from The Conjuring: Last Rites
- “Eight people live in this house. Eight people have experienced this. Eight people are not crazy. We’re asking… for help. Someone, anyone, help us.” – Janet Smurl makes a desperate plea to save her family.
- “We’ve been waiting so patiently for little Judy to come back to us.” – We’re not telling you who says this as it’s a spoiler, but it made us jump out of our seats.
- “Once we start, there’s no going back. Anything can happen. And most likely anything will.” – Ed Warren explains his reluctance to investigate the Smurl Haunting.
- “Don’t touch anything. Everything you see in here is either haunted… cursed… or been used in some sort of ritualistic practice. Nothing’s a toy. Not even the toys.” – Ed Warren gives a tour of the occult museum.
- “The Devil has come to Pennsylvania!” – A news reporter treats the Smurl Haunting with all the subtlety and nuance that you’d expect.
- “Saint Michael, defend us, be our safeguard against the Devil.” – Ed prays for protection.
What People Are Asking About The Conjuring: Last Rites
The Conjuring: Last Rites was released in Australia on September 4th 2025.
It is very likely. The franchise has done very well at the box office, and a prequel movie was reportedly in development as of 2025.
Technically speaking, it’s both. It’s the fourth film in the Conjuring series, but there is a wider ‘Conjuring Universe’ that incorporates the three Annabelle movies and The Nun and its sequel. All of the films with ‘Conjuring’ in the title focus on the Warrens, while the others are about linked cases that they weren’t directly involved in.
If you want to watch the films in sequential order (not release dates), the correct way to watch The Conjuring universe is:
The Nun (2018)
Annabelle Creation (2017)
The Nun 2 (2023)
Annabelle (2014)
The Conjuring (2013)
Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
The Conjuring: Last Rites
Yes! The nine listed above could be considered the main series. However, a few characters from those films also show up in Wolves At The Door (2016), The Curse Of La Llorona (2019), and Revenge of La Llorona (TBA). So that’s your Halloween movie marathon sorted.
