The Conjuring: Last Rites 

(dir. Michael Chaves)

By Dave Hughes

For over a decade, The Conjuring franchise has stood as one of the defining additions to the occult horror subgenre. The investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren have captivated audiences and spawned a web of spinoffs, prequels, and imitators. What began as a grounded haunted-house story grew into an interconnected universe that helped revive mainstream supernatural horror in the 2010s. Few modern franchises have managed to blend genuine scares with emotional storytelling as effectively. Patrick Wilson (Watchmen) and Vera Farmiga (The Departed, Orphan) remain the emotional anchors of the saga, grounding the supernatural chaos with empathy and conviction. Though the real-life Warrens’ legacy is complicated, Wilson and Farmiga’s chemistry ensures Last Rites ends the series with heart and reverence.

Described as “the case that ended it all,” Last Rites unfolds in rural Pennsylvania during the 1980s, where Ed and Lorraine Warren are semi-retired and coming to terms with age and exhaustion. Their peace is short-lived when a haunting tied to one of their earliest investigations draws them back into the darkness. This time, the terror centers on a mirror infused with violent, demonic energy that turns lingering spirits into aggressors. Both the setting and the premise fit neatly into The Conjuring universe, maintaining its familiar blend of faith, fear, and family.

Farmiga and Wilson’s return as the Warrens feels like catching up with old friends whose battles have left visible scars. Their chemistry carries the emotional weight of a decade’s worth of stories, grounding the film’s supernatural chaos in something deeply human. Longtime followers will feel that history, while newcomers may simply appreciate the warmth and trust between the two. This time, they’re joined by their grown daughter Judy (Mia Tomlinson) and her boyfriend Tony (Ben Hardy), giving the story a sense of generational continuity. As ever, faith, love, and resilience remain the cornerstones of the Conjuring world.

Director Michael Chaves(The Nun II) steps in again for franchise creator James Wan(Insidious, Saw), maintaining many of the stylistic choices that define the series. His use of methodical camera movements, tense framing, and long menacing silences builds the familiar sense of unease fans expect from The Conjuring films. While Chaves captures the spirit of Wan’s direction, some of the scares lack the same precision and impact. Still, when the tension pays off, the results are genuinely unsettling, reminding audiences why the series became a modern horror staple.

After carefully building tension and emotional stakes, the climax feels rushed and less impactful than expected. The conclusion still carries emotional weight, especially for longtime fans invested in the Warrens’ story, but it lacks the chilling resonance that defined earlier installments. The film begins with promise but loses momentum in its final act. Even so, Last Rites offers enough closure to feel like a fitting farewell, balancing heart, faith, and fear in true Conjuring fashion.

Target Score 7/10: The Conjuring: Last Rites delivers a heartfelt and atmospheric conclusion to one of horror’s most enduring franchises. It may not reach the terrifying highs of its predecessors, but it gives the Warrens a meaningful sendoff that will satisfy longtime fans and remind audiences why this series has endured for over a decade.