THE CONJURING: LAST RITES Trailer Brings the Saga to an End

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Similar to the other Conjuring films (and the third Annabelle movie), this film portrays a supposed “real” haunting/possession/demonic incident involving the self-proclaimed demonologists, Ed and Lorraine Warren. In the movies, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga respectively, the Warrens are depicted as both a loving, religious couple and essentially superheroes. Lorraine, who has psychic abilities, and Ed, armed with the Bible, serve as protectors of good. This combination makes them compelling characters in the films.

In essence, Ed and Lorraine Warren, during that time, were savvy individuals who exploited the Satanic Panic frenzy and a wave of reported hauntings for their own gain. The movie is set in 1986, focusing on the “Smurl Haunting” incident, one of the last significant demonic activity claims during the era, which took place in Pennsylvania. Similar to other cases like Enfield and Amityville, both later proven to be hoaxes, the Warrens got involved in this case as well, collaborating with the Smurl family on a book about it.

I want to clarify that I’m not trying to discourage you from watching or enjoying these films. They are over-the-top fictional horror productions, effectively scary within their genre. However, as the series has evolved, it seems to me that it has moved away from being entertaining ghost stories and ventured too far into using real-life horrific incidents excessively. The movie that stands out the most for me in this regard is “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It“, which was based on the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson. Johnson, who had killed his landlord with a knife, defended himself by claiming that a demon had possessed him. Previously, Johnson had been involved in helping his girlfriend and the Warrens perform an exorcism on her brother’s demon-possessed sibling.

I found it rather questionable that this event was incorporated into the “Aren’t the Warrens Wonderful” film universe. Therefore, if you’re interested, by all means, watch Last Rites. Just be aware that the phrase “based on actual events” is carrying a significant burden in this case.

The Conjuring: Last Rites will hit cinemas September 5.

Kyle Anderson serves as the Senior Editor at TopMob, where he also hosts the weekly podcast, Laser Focus, delving into the world of pop culture. His insightful film and television reviews are available here. Keep up with him on Letterboxd.

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2025-08-01 16:38