Movie Review: The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
Synopsis: Ed and Lorraine Warren are retired from paranormal investigating because of Ed's heart issues. However, after their long-time friend, Father Gordon, dies while trying to help a family, the Smurls, their 22-year-old daughter, Judy, who shares Lorraine's psychic gifts convinces them to help. However, as they conduct the investigation, they discover a link to their past and go face-to-face with the demon that nearly took Judy's life and is now seeking to finish the job.
Who's in it? The movie stars Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy and Steve Coulter.
Review: While I've never been a huge fan of The Conjuring movies, my wife is. So, when we came across The Conjuring: Last Rites on HBO Max this evening, we ended up watching it. After doing so, I have to say it was a good choice.
I think the thing that impressed me most with this film is it was genuinely scary. Not to the point I will have nightmares or be afraid to walk into a dark room but enough where it did have me on the edge of my seat and yelling at the various members of the Smurl household to get out. And I'm serious about that last one. If I had something yanking a phone out of my hand, I certainly wouldn't be sticking around, especially with kids in the house.
Also, while it did take some time to get around to it, I did find I liked the tie-in to an earlier Warren investigation, conducted while Lorraine (Farmiga) was pregnant and resulting in Judy (Tomlinson) nearly dying in childbirth. While the demon's motivations did seem a bit convoluted and there was no explanation as to why it took so long to strike again, it did add some additional drama to the film, making things much more personal.
Ed's (Wilson) heart issues added a nice wildcard element to the film as well, with the movie doing a good job making it very clear he was not in good health. This made it more believable when it became a problem later in the movie, though he did seem to bounce back surprisingly fast as well.
My only real complaint about the movie is the timeline seemed a bit choppy at times, making it a little difficult to tell how much time had passed between events and if it was a matter of days, weeks, months or years. It wasn't anything that made a major difference in the movie, but it wouldn't have hurt to have some clarity about that.
Final Opinion: It was a solid (final?) installment in this movie series and may have been the one I enjoyed watching the most. I'd recommend taking the time to watch it if you get a chance.
My Grade: A
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Here are some reviews of other supernatural horror movies:
Movie Review: Bonejangles (2017)
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