September 6, 2025-
The Conjuring: Last Rites — A Spine-Chilling Finale to the Warren Saga
Release Date: September 5, 2025
Director: Michael Chaves
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga
The Conjuring: Last Rites, directed by Michael Chaves, hit theaters worldwide on September 5, 2025. It stands as the ninth — and possibly final — entry in the iconic Conjuring Universe. The film stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, the beloved paranormal investigators who have been the heart of the series since 2013. Inspired by the terrifying Smurl family haunting, this installment delivers a horror experience that is both bone-chilling and deeply emotional — a fitting conclusion to a franchise that has terrified audiences for over a decade.
A Cinematic Farewell
When The Conjuring premiered in 2013, no one expected it to spawn a global horror franchise. Over the years, we’ve seen spin-offs like Annabelle, The Nun, and The Curse of La Llorona, creating a connected world of ghosts, demons, and cursed objects.
With Last Rites, Warner Bros. and Michael Chaves deliver a powerful send-off. The film explores not just supernatural horror, but also the emotional cost of decades of spiritual warfare.
Story & Premise
The narrative is set in 1986.
Ed and Lorraine Warren have stepped back from active investigations, choosing a quieter life after years of facing demonic forces.
Their daughter, Judy, is now an adult, preparing for a life of her own with her fiancé, Tony Spera.
But their peace is soon shattered.
The Smurl family — Janet, Jack, and their children — come to them in desperation.
Their Pennsylvania home has become a living nightmare, plagued by:
- Foul stenches
- Phantom voices
- Shadowy figures
- Violent assaults
Reluctantly, the Warrens return to the field.
What follows is one of their most intense investigations yet, filled with séances, exorcisms, and moments of heart-stopping terror.
The screenplay, written by James Wan and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, is more layered than a typical haunted-house story.
It blends past and present, revisiting the Warrens’ earlier cases through flashbacks that reveal how deeply their work has shaped — and scarred — them.
This isn’t just a battle against an external evil.
It is also a confrontation with their own mortality, fears, and doubts.
The narrative’s emotional depth elevates Last Rites beyond a simple horror film, turning it into a meditation on love, sacrifice, and legacy.
Cast & Performances
The heart of the Conjuring films has always been the chemistry between Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga — and here, they deliver perhaps their finest performances yet.
- Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren):
Wilson plays Ed as an older, physically weaker man, carrying the weight of decades of trauma. His vulnerability adds emotional power to the film’s most heartfelt moments. - Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren):
Farmiga once again shines as Lorraine, whose psychic visions are more disturbing than ever. Haunted by premonitions of death — including her own funeral — she becomes the emotional anchor of the story. - Mia Tomlinson (Judy Warren):
Judy finally steps into the spotlight. Her psychic abilities are crucial to the climax, hinting at a possible continuation of the franchise with Judy as the next-generation investigator. - Ben Hardy (Tony Spera):
Brings warmth and humor to the narrative, balancing the darker themes and reminding viewers of the human cost of living in the Warrens’ world. - The Smurl Family:
The actors playing Janet, Jack, and their children bring raw fear and desperation to the screen, making their ordeal feel painfully real and emotionally gripping.
Fans will also enjoy special cameos — Carolyn and Cindy Perron (The Conjuring), Peggy and David Glatzel (The Devil Made Me Do It), and even a clever cameo by director James Wan at Judy’s wedding — a symbolic farewell to the first era of the Conjuring Universe.
Direction, Cinematography & Atmosphere
Michael Chaves delivers his most polished Conjuring entry yet.
- Direction: Builds dread through silence and shadow rather than cheap jump scares.
- Cinematography: Vishal Sinha uses muted 1980s colors, making every scene feel claustrophobic and tense.
- Score: Benjamin Wallfisch’s chilling music uses choirs, low strings, and sudden bursts of sound to keep viewers on edge.
- Sound Design: Every knock, whisper, and creak adds to the immersion.
Box Office Performance
India Collections:
- Day 1: ₹17–18 crore net (record-breaking opening for a Hollywood horror film)
- Day 2: ₹5.9 crore net
- Total so far: ~₹23.4 crore
- Tickets Sold: Over 2.27 lakh on Day 1 across PVR, Inox & others
Worldwide Performance:
- Thursday Previews: $8.5M — biggest in franchise history
- Current Total: ~$8.53M globally
- Outlook: Analysts predict it may become the highest-grossing film in the Conjuring series and push the franchise past $2.5B worldwide.
Critical & Audience Reception
- Rotten Tomatoes: 64% critics’ score
- Audience Reaction: Overwhelmingly positive — many calling it “the perfect send-off”
Fans are praising its mix of scares and emotional storytelling, saying it feels like a true farewell to the Warrens’ saga.
The Real Smurl Haunting
The Smurl case is one of the Warrens’ most infamous real-life investigations.
- Reported between 1974–1989
- Included smells, voices, levitating objects, and physical attacks
- Warrens claimed four spirits were involved, including a demon
- Inspired the book The Haunted and a 1991 TV film
Skeptics argued the events had natural explanations — which only adds to the eerie fascination.
Legacy & Future of the Conjuring Universe
Last Rites ties together over a decade of storytelling while planting seeds for the future through Judy Warren.
Producer James Wan has hinted at a Phase Two of the Conjuring Universe, meaning we may not have seen the last of this world.
Final Verdict
The Conjuring: Last Rites isn’t just a horror sequel — it’s an emotional farewell.
Must-Watch for Fans – Delivers scares, closure, and a heartfelt tribute to Ed & Lorraine.
Perfect Entry Point – Newcomers can enjoy it as a standalone horror story.
Whether or not this marks the true end, the Warrens’ legacy remains one of the most significant contributions to modern horror cinema.
