After twelve years and eight films spanning the Conjuring Universe, Ed and Lorraine Warren are finally hanging up their crucifixes. The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives as the purported finale for Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s beloved portrayal of America’s most famous paranormal investigators, tackling the infamous Smurl haunting case that allegedly ended their demon-hunting careers in 1986.
The film opens in 1964 with a pregnant Lorraine investigating a cursed mirror at a curio shop, experiencing a terrifying vision that sends her into early labor. We then jump ahead over twenty years to find the Warrens in semi-retirement—Ed recovering from a heart attack, both weary from decades of confronting supernatural evil. But when the Smurl family in West Pittston, Pennsylvania begins experiencing violent paranormal attacks, the Warrens reluctantly take on one last case that will test not only their faith but their family bonds.
It’s a finale that aims for emotional resonance over pure terror, prioritizing family drama and character closure above scares. Whether that’s the right choice depends entirely on what you want from a Conjuring movie.
Record-Breaking Box Office, Mixed Critical Reception
Let’s get the elephant in the room addressed immediately: Last Rites became a massive commercial success, earning the biggest global opening weekend ever for a horror film with $194 million worldwide. It dominated markets like the Philippines (91% box office share) and Indonesia (83% share), ultimately grossing nearly $500 million to become the highest-grossing entry in the entire franchise.
Critics, however, were far less enthusiastic. With a 59% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film earned mixed reviews that praised the performances while criticizing the formulaic approach and diluted scares. The consensus suggests this is an underwhelming climactic chapter that works better as fan service than as standalone horror.
A Love Letter to the Warrens (And Their Fans)
What becomes immediately clear is that Last Rites was crafted specifically for devoted fans of the Conjuring Universe rather than casual horror audiences or newcomers. This is the franchise’s equivalent of Avengers: Endgame—a sentimental victory lap filled with callbacks, cameos, and emotional payoffs for those who’ve followed the journey from the beginning.
The film features a wedding finale where characters from previous Warren cases make cameo appearances, unabashed fan service that either delights or feels gratuitous depending on your investment in the franchise. Home movies of the real Ed and Lorraine Warren play during the credits, a touching tribute that reportedly had audiences crying. Wilson and Farmiga deliver their warmest, most vulnerable performances yet, cementing their status as “Horror Mom and Horror Pop” for an entire generation of genre fans.
Michael Chaves, directing his fourth entry in the Conjuring Universe after The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II, steps somewhat out of James Wan’s shadow to craft what feels like his most personal vision yet. The film emphasizes generational family values, exploring the mother-daughter relationship between Lorraine and adult Judy Warren while introducing Judy’s fiancé Tony Spera, played by Ben Hardy as a charming, supportive partner who accepts his soon-to-be wife’s demon-adjacent lifestyle.
Horror Takes a Backseat to Heart
Here’s where the film becomes divisive. Unlike the first two beloved Conjuring films, Last Rites spends significantly more time on family drama than supernatural terror. The screenplay balances two families—the Warrens and the Smurls—giving extensive screen time to emotional arcs, relationship dynamics, and character development.
For some viewers, this approach enriches the story and makes the stakes feel personal. The film explores Ed and Lorraine’s desire for a peaceful retirement, their complicated relationship with their now-adult daughter, and their struggle with whether to continue risking their lives confronting evil. These quieter moments have genuine warmth and sincerity.
For others, the expanded focus on drama makes the horror feel secondary, even diluted. Multiple reviewers noted the film feels more like a family drama with horror elements rather than a horror film with family elements. At 135 minutes, the runtime drags as the film takes its time bringing the two families together, and the pacing suffers from what some called unnecessary filler.
The exorcism doesn’t arrive until the third act, which frustrated viewers expecting the intense supernatural confrontations that defined earlier entries.
Scares: Effective But Familiar
When Last Rites does commit to horror, it delivers competent if predictable scares. The Smurl family experiences the full demonic playbook: levitations, bile-spewing, violent attacks, mysterious odors, and unexplained physical phenomena. There are a couple of genuinely freaky set pieces that showcase Chaves’ growing confidence as a horror director.
But fans of James Wan’s signature style will notice something missing. The film lacks what one reviewer called that special sense of creativity with scares. The jump scares feel telegraphed, the demonic manifestations follow familiar patterns, and there’s little innovation in how terror is constructed. It’s scary enough to satisfy mainstream audiences but won’t traumatize genre veterans.
Compared to the terrifying originality of the 2013 original, Last Rites plays things safe. It’s appropriately frightening on a scene-by-scene basis and an improvement over the unfocused third film, but it never reaches the heights of the first two entries. The demon threatening the Smurls never achieves the iconic status of Valak or the Crooked Man.
Chaves’ Visual Experiments: Ambitious But Distracting
One consistent criticism involves Chaves’ directorial choices. After helming multiple Conjuring Universe films, the director appears eager to experiment with cinematography and visual techniques. The film features what some described as attempts at visual artistry, with one reviewer noting focus more on camera work and visuals than emotional storytelling.
These experimental flourishes sometimes distract from the narrative rather than enhance it. Certain scenes employ unnecessary visual techniques that pull viewers out of the story rather than deepening immersion. The film occasionally feels like Chaves showcasing technical skills at the expense of emotional connection and pacing.
That said, there are moments of beauty. The film’s brightest sequences, focusing on the Warrens embracing ordinary life, feature warm cinematography that contrasts effectively with the darker horror elements.
The Smurl Case: Underutilized Potential
The real-life Smurl haunting is considered one of the most terrifying cases in paranormal investigation history, comparable to Amityville in its intensity and cultural impact. The family reported eighteen months of escalating supernatural activity including physical attacks, sexual assault by demons, and phenomena witnessed by multiple people.
Disappointingly, the film never fully capitalizes on this notorious case’s potential. While the Smurl family’s ordeal provides the backbone of the story, the screenplay treats it more as backdrop than centerpiece. The focus remains firmly on the Warrens’ personal journey rather than deeply exploring the family’s suffering or the specifics of the haunting.
For those hoping the infamous case would receive the full terrifying treatment, the film underwhelms. It settles for generic demonic activity rather than the unique, deeply disturbing elements that made the real case legendary.
The Warrens: Heroes or Complicated Figures?
One reviewer raised a fascinating criticism: the film treats Ed and Lorraine Warren as untouchable heroes despite their controversial real-life legacy. The actual Warrens faced significant skepticism about their claims, were accused by critics of exploiting vulnerable families, and their investigations often lacked scientific rigor.
Last Rites, like every Conjuring film, presents them as unambiguous forces for good—faithful, compassionate, and heroic. It’s pure hagiography rather than complex character study. The film had an opportunity to engage with their legacy more critically or add nuance to their portrayal but chose instead to double down on the warm, heroic version established across the franchise.
For some, this is disappointing brand management. For others, it’s exactly what a crowd-pleasing finale should be—celebration rather than interrogation.
Who Will Enjoy Last Rites?
This film rewards:
- Longtime Conjuring Universe fans seeking closure
- Viewers who love Wilson and Farmiga’s chemistry
- Those prioritizing emotional storytelling over pure horror
- Audiences who appreciate family drama alongside scares
- Anyone who enjoyed the sentimental aspects of previous entries
This film frustrates:
- Horror purists seeking intense, innovative scares
- Newcomers unfamiliar with the franchise
- Viewers wanting deep exploration of the Smurl case
- Those expecting James Wan-level terror
- Anyone seeking a tightly paced horror experience
The Verdict: A Gentle Goodbye
The Conjuring: Last Rites is exactly what it promises to be: a fond farewell to characters we’ve grown to love over twelve years. It’s sentimental, safe, and more interested in warming hearts than stopping them. For devoted fans of the Warrens, it provides satisfying emotional closure even if the horror elements disappoint.
Wilson and Farmiga remain the franchise’s greatest assets, bringing genuine warmth, chemistry, and gravitas to roles they’ve inhabited for over a decade. Their performances elevate material that might otherwise feel rote. Ben Hardy makes a delightful addition as the supportive son-in-law who represents the next generation.
But as a horror film, Last Rites plays it too safe. It’s the weakest of the mainline trilogy in terms of scares, trading terror for tears. Michael Chaves delivers his most accomplished work in the franchise while still falling short of the standard James Wan established. The film feels less like a bold finale and more like a polished greatest hits album—familiar, comforting, but lacking innovation.
For casual horror fans, there are far scarier options available. For Conjuring devotees, this is the sweet, emotional sendoff you’ve been waiting for, complete with nostalgia and closure. The film succeeds as fan service while falling short as groundbreaking horror.
After $2 billion in box office and nine films, the Conjuring Universe could continue (a prequel is already in development following this film’s success). But for Ed and Lorraine Warren specifically, Last Rites provides an appropriate if underwhelming farewell—one that prioritizes heart over horror and family over fear.
Watch it if you:
- Have followed the Warrens through all their adventures
- Love Wilson and Farmiga’s performances
- Prefer emotional horror over pure terror
- Want closure for the franchise
- Appreciate family-focused storytelling
Skip it if you:
- Need innovative, terrifying scares
- Haven’t seen previous Conjuring films
- Want the Smurl case fully explored
- Expect James Wan-level horror direction
- Need tight pacing and minimal filler
The Conjuring: Last Rites is now available on Digital HD, DVD, Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray, and streaming platforms including Prime Video.
Have you visited the Warrens one last time? Did the emotional farewell work for you, or do you wish the film had prioritized scares over sentiment? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Rating: 3 out of 5