The Conjuring: Last Rites Movie Review: Less horror, more drama, and drama

Star cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy, Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan

Director: Michael Chaves

Over the years, The Conjuring Universe has garnered a humongous fan following across the globe, especially among horror fans. While the franchise, which also includes movies like The Nun and Annabelle, has experienced a rollercoaster ride, with some films impressing the audience and others turning out to be disappointing affairs.

Talking about The Conjuring: Last Rites, it is a sequel to 2021’s The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and the ninth and final instalment of the first phase of The Conjuring Universe. While the expectations are sky-high for this film, let’s find out whether it lives up to them or not.

The plot starts in 1964, when paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga) are expecting a child and encounter a demonic mirror. While they narrowly escape, Lorraine gives birth to a stillborn baby. However, in a miraculous moment, she is brought to life with Lorraine’s prayer and faith in god. The couple keeps the name of their baby girl, Judy. As she grows up, Judy (Mia Tomlinson) starts encountering disturbing and horrifying visuals, and it intensifies when she goes for the trial of her wedding dress.

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On the other hand, in Western Pennsylvania, the demonic mirror comes as a gift to the Smurl family on the occasion of one of the members’ birthdays. Soon, the demonic mirror starts haunting the Smurl family, along with three ghost spirits. Will Ed & Lorraine come to save them? How will Judi play a critical role in this fatal process?

The Conjuring: The Last Rites is based on the true-life investigations of the Smurl haunting made by the Warrens. Being the final part, it was expected to be a haunting and spine-chilling affair, but it turned out to be a dull, melodramatic and exhausting experience.

The story evokes the clichéd 90s horror movies of Bollywood, with the first half focusing more on family drama than on horror visuals. The jump scares are very predictable with underwhelming BGM, which does hamper the overall cinematic experience.

Michael Chaves’ direction looks fine, but it fails to bring out that haunting experience, which the audience craves.

Talking about the performances, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are good as Ed & Lorraine and shine especially in the emotional scenes. Mia Tomlinson as Judy brings out innocence with her complex and layered portrayal. On the other hand, Ben Hardy is decent in his limited screentime.

On the whole, The Conjuring: Last Rites fails to scare you and exhausts you with its clichéd family drama.

Rating: 2 (out of 5 stars)

The Conjuring: Last Rites is playing in cinemas