When James Wan and Peter Safran first created “The Conjuring,” their goal was simple: make one great supernatural thriller and bring the genre back into the spotlight.
Fourteen years later, with nine films under their belt, the franchise has become the highest-grossing horror universe ever and it is now saying goodbye with “The Conjuring: Last Rites.”
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“We just wanted to make one great movie,” Safran, producer of “The Conjuring: Last Rites” and the previous eight films, said.
“And so, we’re really proud to be here 14 years later, with all of the tremendous commercial and critical successes that these films have had… I believe you’re always conflicted by the end of something beautiful – I feel happy and sad. But with the series, I’m happy to have been involved with such an amazing group of artists, and that we’ve all gotten to end this journey on a high note,” he added.
Wan, who directed the first two films and has produced the rest, echoed the sentiment.
“’The Conjuring: Last Rites’ is pretty much the end of an era and, because of that, it’s somewhat bittersweet,” he said.
“We’ve had such a good time making these films, because it feels like such a family unit. But like all good things… I think we’re finishing up at the right time. It feels like this movie is a good way to wrap up the world, at least for now. It’s been over a decade with the ‘Conjuring’ Universe. I’ve made many acquaintances who’ve become long-term friends,” he added.
This month, “The Conjuring” universe comes to a chilling close with a send-off that seals the legacy of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The final chapter delves into their last case—the haunting of the Smurl family in their Pennsylvania home, one of the most disturbing and well-documented cases in the Warrens’ history.
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite to deliver spine-chilling performances as Lorraine and Ed.
James previously thanked the two actors, who reprise their roles as paranormal investigators.
“Vera and Patrick have always been the center of these movies. They have such a great relationship, onscreen and off – they’re such good friends, James said.
“I think that really comes across and the audience sees how authentic it is. I think it brings much more reality to the characters that they play. It’s a big part of why fans out there love these films. I have always said, ‘They come for the fright and the scares, but they really stick around for Vera and Patrick,'” he added.
They are joined by Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy, who portray the Warrens’ daughter, Judy Warren, and her boyfriend, Tony Spera. These two injected a fresh layer of tension and heightened the terror with their performances.
Returning cast members include Steve Coulter as Father Gordon, alongside Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, John Brotherton and Shannon Kook.
The haunting atmosphere is further intensified by the introduction of cursed items, such as the Smurl family’s eerie mirror, Suzy the doll, and, of course, the return of the infamous haunted doll, Annabelle.
Michael Chaves masterfully directs the latest film, based on a screenplay by Ian Goldberg & Richard Naing and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. The story, penned by Johnson-McGoldrick and Wan, draws on characters created by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes. The film weaves a compelling narrative that explains why the Smurl family’s haunting was dubbed the final case handled by the Warrens.
The executive producers are Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Natalia Safran, John Rickard, Hans Ritter, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. Chaves is supported by a talented creative team behind the camera, including director of photography Eli Born, production designer John Frankish, editors Elliot Greenberg and Gregory Plotkin, and visual effects supervisor Scott Edelstein. Visual effects producer Eric Bruneau and costume designer Graham Churchyard contribute to the immersive atmosphere, while casting was handled by Rose Wicksteed and Sophie Kingston-Smith.
Adding to the eerie mood, the striking visuals and haunting musical score work in tandem to amplify the tension, drawing viewers deeper into the chilling world of the Warrens.
As the filmmakers bid farewell to “The Conjuring” franchise, Chaves, who also helmed “The Devil Made Me Do It” and “The Nun II,” describes the ending of the series as emotional.
“I’ve been so lucky to be part of the Conjuring Universe. Saying goodbye to this experience – and to the friends I’ve made along the way – has been really emotional. Vera and Patrick have always been our secret weapon. They’re the heart and soul of these films, and it’s their talent and who they are as people that have shaped these movies from the start,” Chaves said.
“These films ended up being family stories in a way not a lot of people expected – big family stories with plenty of scares,” he added.
For this, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” successfully delivers scares while bringing closure to one of horror’s most haunting sagas with an emotional farewell that fans won’t soon forget.
Dark and unsettling, it serves as a fitting “last rite” for the franchise, leaving audiences eager to dive deeper into the Warrens’ case files.
For the ultimate experience, IMAX viewing is highly recommended, as every haunting detail hits harder, intensifying the film’s terrifying atmosphere.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
