‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Review: Last Rodeo, Last Fumes

Have you ever driven a roller coaster so often that it loses its sensation? I wouldn’t know – I hate roller coasters.

Yet it felt so it felt like looking ‘the conjuring: last rites’.

“Last Rites” marks the fourth and final “call” film of 12 years and the ninth Access in the so -called “magic” universe (there were five spin -offs, so clearly a fertile franchise for Warner Bros.). The films follow real-life paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren, again played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, with each film based on one of their business. “Last Rites” focuses on their final case.

We visit the Warrens again in 1986 and give a lecture about their work in an almost empty auditorium. The few students who took the trouble to participate were more fixed on making “Ghostbusters” jokes. At this point in their career, the Warrens had abandoned investigations – Ed says it is only a “hiatus”, but it hates to admit that it is a new heart attack.

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However, the film actually starts with a flashback in 1964, when Ed and a very pregnant Lorraine pursue their first demonic business and they find in an antique shop where they come across a spooky mirror with three creepy babies at the top. Lorraine feels a bad presence and gently touches the glass that bursts immediately, and she immediately goes into early work. They hurry to the hospital and Lorraine delivers a stillborn child. Moments later, as Lorraine desperately prays to God with her lifeless baby in her arms, the baby suddenly lets out a cry. Ed and Lorraine welcome their prodigy, Judy.

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In the meantime, in “current” West -Pittston, Pennsylvania, the life of the Smurl family is turned upside down after grandma and grandpa have unintentionally given their adolescent granddaughter the same possessed mirror for her confirmation gift, and still with the crack no less! However, don’t worry, they say that the glass can be replaced. Why they did not replace the glass themselves before they pour the mirror or hand over their granddaughter some money instead is a gamble.

Like any haunted house film, the paranormal activity starts subtly; A candle that blows out, a toy doll that moves automatically, a mysterious figure lurking in the shade, but when the light turns on, it’s just a poster by John Wayne. You know, the usual things. It gets worse for the Smurls after the two teenage daughters throw away the ugly mirror (or at least try to throw away).

Kila Lord Cassidy as Heather Smurl in New Line Cinemas “Conjuring: Last Rites”, a release of Warner Bros. Pictures. (Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

“Last Rites” has a bloated duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes, but the Warrens doesn’t even arrive in West Pittston for almost an hour and a half in the film. That is because much of them focuses on Judy (Mia Tomlinson), who has the same gift/curse to find out spirits and demons as her mother, but lacks the skills to ward off. This ultimately leads to Judy and her parents “Avengers: Endgame” style working together to beat the demon that they and the Smurls have chased once and for all in a non -so -climbing battle. We also spend a lot of time with Judy’s friend Tony (Ben Hardy) because he desperately seeks the approval of her parents, but don’t count much on him as far as the hunt for demons goes. He is quite useless.

Farmiga and Wilson remain the heart of the “The Conjuring” franchise and wear “last rites” over the finish line – just hardly. Here Farmiga brings more emotional weight as Lorraine struggles with the constant burden of protecting Judy against the literal demons that chase them. But the increased family drama was a costs.

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Good horror depends on memorable fears. The first “magic” film nailed to his dread -inducing “Hide and Clap” scene. ‘Last rites’, on the other hand, produces half -hearted fears that you have to remember as soon as the credits roll.

You could rise to bad writing – or uninspired direction. Michael Chaves returns to the chair of the director (after 2021’s “The conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” and the 2023 Spin -Off “The Nun II”), who lives in the shadow of his franchise predecessor James Wan, who is only credited as a producer. Wan was a visionary commander behind the camera while Chaves was simply on the autopilot.

Vera Farmiga like Lorraine Warren and Mia Tomlinson as Judy Warren in New Line Cinemas “The Conjuring: Last Rites”, a release of Warner Bros. Pictures. (Giles Keyte, Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

The verdict:

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” serves to complete the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren, but it is not the epic conclusion that it is being invoiced. The absence of real vessels also leaves their last chapter the weakest. For horror fans who are there, only the first two episodes are worth it.

★★ – Skip it over

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is assessed R for bloody/violent content and terror. Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes. Now in theaters.

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