You walk into a dark theater, brimming with excitement. You’re about to watch the final chapter in the saga of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s controversial career, “The Conjuring: Last Rites.” But as the movie unfolds, you begin to ask yourself: Is this a horror story or a family drama?
Since its debut in 2013, “The Conjuring” franchise has established itself as one of the defining horror series of the 2010s. Created and directed by James Wan, the original film set a high bar for the genre of supernatural horror. Wan’s signature style of atmospheric dread and expertly timed jumpscares combined with a ‘based on a true story’ narrative made the series a hit among horror fans and casual moviegoers alike.
Film critic Ian Buckwalter from “The Atlantic” said about the first film, “There were moments where it seemed the entire theater was holding its breath. We were united in one feeling: terror.”
Over the past decade, the franchise has expanded into a full-blown cinematic universe, with spinoffs like “Annabelle,” “The Nun” and “The Curse of La Llorona” riding the coattails of “The Conjuring’s” initial success. With “Last Rites,” we not only bear witness to the end of the Warrens’ story, but to an era of horror filmmaking as well. That being said, this final installment feels like a departure from everything that came before.
Unlike its predecessors, “Last Rites” leans heavily into themes of family, forgiveness and self-acceptance. The film centers on the Warrens’ daughter, who finds herself caught between the weight of her family’s legacy and her pursuit of a ‘normal’ life. While it still includes the usual barrage of demonic possessions and haunted artifacts, the horror elements of “Last Rites” often feel secondary to the emotional arcs of the characters. The monsters shown on screen seem less like threats and more like representations of the internal struggles of the Warren family.
“New York Times” film critic Beatrice Loayza said, “As it stands, the film is a disappointing send-off; more an eccentric family drama than a real chiller.”
This was definitely a bold choice, and one that has divided audiences. While some appreciate the more uplifting end to “The Conjuring” saga, others feel betrayed that the finale strayed so far from its roots.
Aside from confusion over the tonal shift, one of the most common criticisms of “Last Rites” is its overreliance on CGI. While Wan’s earlier films made strategic use of practical effects and cinematography to build tension, director Michael Chaves, who took over for the third and fourth movies in the series, relies heavily on digital effects. While the resulting movies may appear more polished, they often lack the grittiness that made Wan’s previous movies so terrifyingly captivating.
Audiences have also harbored complaints that the movie’s jumpscares felt formulaic and predictable. This isn’t the first time Chaves has faced criticism for his direction; his previous film, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” also suffered from an overuse of CGI and a diluted narrative.
As critic David Nusair said, “[‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ was] a decent-enough piece of work that falls right in line with its hit-and-miss predecessors.”
Whether you loved the movie or left the theater disappointed, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” marks a significant moment in horror history. It’s an emotional farewell to both the Warrens and a series that has helped redefine the horror genre.
But while their journey ends here, the universe they helped pioneer is far from over, as there are many more supernatural tales currently in the works.
