There’s a moment early in The Conjuring: Last Rites where Ed and Lorraine Warren sit in a half-empty lecture hall, their once-captivated audiences now dwindled to a handful of curious stragglers. It’s a quietly devastating scene that mirrors what we’ve all been feeling: time catches up to everyone, even legends. But here’s the thing nobody expected—this final chapter isn’t about watching heroes fade into obscurity. It’s about watching them burn brightest when everything’s on the line.
After twelve years and eight films, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are hanging up their crosses and holy water for good. And honestly? I wasn’t ready. This franchise has been the backbone of modern supernatural horror since 2013, spawning a universe that’s grossed over $2 billion worldwide. But more than that, it gave us something rare in horror: characters we actually cared about living to see another day.
The Final Case
Released on September 5, 2025, The Conjuring: Last Rites brings us what director Michael Chaves has called “a finale” to the stories that came before. The film is based on the real-life Smurl haunting case from West Pittston, Pennsylvania—a case that actually captivated the nation back in 1986 when the Smurl family went public with their claims of demonic possession.
What struck me most about this film is how personal it feels. Unlike previous entries that focused primarily on the families being haunted, this one puts the Warrens themselves at the center of the terror. The story opens with a gut-wrenching prologue set in 1964, where we witness Lorraine giving birth to a stillborn baby, only to have her prayers miraculously revive the child—Judy. It’s a deeply emotional opening that immediately establishes the stakes: this demon has been hunting Judy since before she was even born.
A Story About Family and Legacy
Twenty-two years later, we find the Warrens in a different place. Ed’s deteriorating heart condition has forced them into retirement, and their once-packed lectures now draw sparse crowds. There’s something achingly real about watching these legendary figures face their mortality and obsolescence. It humanizes them in a way the franchise hasn’t quite done before.
The film centers on the Smurl family’s terrorization by three spirits—an elderly woman, a younger woman, and a man with an axe—all controlled by a demonic entity trapped in an antique mirror. Yes, that same mirror from the Warrens’ first investigation in 1964. The demon has been playing the long game, and Judy is the ultimate prize.
When Judy (now played by Mia Tomlinson, taking over from Sterling Jerins) secretly investigates the case herself after a priest’s death, the film shifts into high gear. Her parents reluctantly come out of retirement for one last case, and the movie becomes a race to save their daughter from the entity that’s been stalking her entire life.
The Real Smurl Haunting
The true story behind the film is equally fascinating and disturbing. The real Smurl family moved into their duplex on Chase Street in West Pittston in 1973, after losing their previous home to flooding. What started as minor disturbances—cold spots, strange noises—escalated over the years into full-blown terror.
By 1986, when they went public and the Warrens got involved, the family claimed they had endured 18 months of unrelenting attacks. Ed Warren confirmed the home was possessed by what he called a “very powerful” demon. The case made national headlines, with news crews and curiosity seekers descending on the small Pennsylvania town.
The Warrens spent months investigating, collecting audio evidence and conducting two exorcisms—both of which reportedly failed. The family eventually moved out in 1987, though they claimed the entity followed them. Like many Warren cases, skeptics questioned the validity of the claims, but the psychological impact on the family was undeniable.
Box Office Phenomenon
What really surprised me—though maybe it shouldn’t have—is how massive this film became at the box office. With an $84 million opening weekend in North America alone, it shattered franchise records and became the third-biggest horror opening of all time. Globally, it’s pulled in $362 million, making it the highest-grossing film in the entire Conjuring Universe.
The film absolutely dominated in international markets, particularly in the Philippines where horror has a devoted following. It broke multiple records there, including the highest-grossing opening weekend for a horror film and claiming a staggering 91% share of the total box office during its first weekend. In India, it surpassed Final Destination: Bloodlines to become the highest-grossing American horror film ever released there.
These numbers tell us something important: audiences were hungry for this finale. There’s a genuine emotional investment in seeing how Ed and Lorraine’s story concludes.
Critical Reception and My Thoughts
The critical response has been decidedly mixed, and I think that’s fair. Rotten Tomatoes shows 58% positive reviews, with Metacritic landing at 54/100—right in that “mixed or average” territory. The general consensus seems to be that while it doesn’t reach the heights of the original Conjuring, it’s a solid, emotionally satisfying conclusion that maintains the franchise’s ability to deliver scares.
Audiences gave it a “B” CinemaScore, which is actually decent for horror, though noticeably lower than the first film. I’ve seen some critics argue that the franchise has lost steam, that the scares feel formulaic now, and you know what? They’re not entirely wrong. But I think they’re missing something important.
This film isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel or deliver the groundbreaking experience of the 2013 original. It’s a farewell letter to characters we’ve spent over a decade with. The emotional weight of watching Ed, despite his failing heart, fighting to save his daughter… there’s something genuinely moving about that. When Lorraine encourages Judy to embrace her psychic abilities instead of shutting them out—reversing the protective instinct she’s had throughout Judy’s life—it’s a powerful moment of letting go.
The Craft Behind the Scenes
Director Michael Chaves returned for his third Conjuring Universe film (after The Curse of La Llorona and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It), and by now he understands the language of this world. The screenplay came from a team effort: Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing completed rewrites on David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick’s original draft, based on a story by Johnson-McGoldrick and James Wan.
Filming took place in London between September and November 2024—a surprisingly quick turnaround for a September 2025 release. The production clearly knew they had a tight window to work within.
One interesting creative choice: Benjamin Wallfisch replaced Joseph Bishara as composer. Bishara had scored the first three Conjuring films and created such an iconic soundscape for the franchise. Wallfisch, who previously scored Annabelle: Creation, brings a different energy—perhaps appropriately so for a film meant to feel like an ending.
Easter Eggs and Fan Service
The film is packed with callbacks for longtime fans. Characters from all three previous Conjuring films make appearances: Lili Taylor and Mackenzie Foy return as Carolyn and Cindy Perron from the first film, Frances O’Connor and Madison Wolfe reprise their roles as Peggy and Janet Hodgson from the second, and Julian Hilliard comes back as David Glatzel from the third.
Even better, the real Tony Spera (Judy Warren’s actual husband) and Judy herself make cameos at Ed’s birthday party. And if you stick around, James Wan—the creator of this entire universe—has an uncredited appearance at the end. These touches show a franchise that respects its history and its fans.
The Emotional Core
What makes The Conjuring: Last Rites work, despite its flaws, is the relationship at its heart. Wilson and Farmiga have incredible chemistry—they’ve joked that their “fake marriage lasted longer than many real ones”—and it shows in every scene. When the film lets them just be Ed and Lorraine, worried parents and aging partners facing their final battle together, it soars.
The ending, with Judy walking down the aisle with Ed at her wedding, followed by Ed and Lorraine embracing as Lorraine shares a vision of their peaceful future, gave me chills. It’s a happy ending for characters who’ve spent their lives confronting darkness. They’ve earned it.
Final Thoughts
Is The Conjuring: Last Rites a perfect film? No. Does it match the raw terror of the first movie? Not quite. But as a conclusion to this saga, it succeeds at what matters most: giving Ed and Lorraine Warren—and by extension, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga—a worthy sendoff.
The film opened strong at the box office, word of mouth kept it performing well through subsequent weeks, and it’s already slated for digital release on October 7, 2025, just in time for Halloween season. For a franchise that began with a relatively modest $20 million budget back in 2013 and has grown into a sprawling universe worth billions, this feels like a triumphant final bow.
Whether you’re a hardcore Conjuring fan or just someone who appreciates well-crafted horror with heart, The Conjuring: Last Rites offers closure, scares, and genuine emotion. It’s not trying to be the scariest film in the franchise—it’s trying to be the most meaningful. And in that mission, I’d say it largely succeeds.
The Warrens can finally rest now. And so can we, knowing their story was told with respect, affection, and just enough demonic possession to keep things interesting.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is now playing in theaters and debuts on digital platforms October 7, 2025.
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The Conjuring: Last Rites (Blu-ray + Digital) on Amazon.com
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