It’s not a terrible ending to a franchise that already contains 10 movies. But even though it’s a little better than average, it doesn’t provide the memorable ending that fans deserve.
‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ (IMDb)
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is the final installment in the fictionalized story of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.
For decades, the Warrens researched thousands of cases of hauntings, including the famous Amityville case. The Warrens were controversial even at the zenith of their popularity. Many skeptics pooh-poohed the Warrens’ claims of clairvoyance and demonology expertise, saying the hauntings either never happened or that the Warrens invented the incidents.
The movies, which are based on many incidents the Warrens said were real, culminate in a well-known case of haunting that the Warrens investigated in 1980s Pennsylvania, where the Smurl family said strange, terrifying occurrences – including levitation – frightened the family. The Smurl case is the basis for this final film.
This one focuses on the Warrens’ daughter Judy (played as an adult by Mia Tomlinson, “Lost Pirate Kingdom” series.) Judy, like her mother, is a clairvoyant and has visions that her mother has taught her to quell with the recitation of a nursery rhyme.
The problem is the film is full of tropes horror fans have seen time and again: A ghastly hag who appears, a haunted object has incredible staying power, and there are jump scares galore.
Farmiga and Wilson have great chemistry, and that’s a plus throughout a movie that feels overly long and intentionally drawn out.
I do like the idea of Judy and her husband (Ben Hardy) possibly carrying on the work of Judy’s parents (this is not announced, but does remain an option to continue the franchise.)
My favorite part is a montage of actual clips and photos of the Warrens during the credits. And you’ll see some enjoyable cameos from the previous films.
It’s better than average, but still just a ghost of the original movie that continues to haunt horror aficionados.
2 1/2 stars
Rated: R for blood, terrifying images, scenes of suicide, and ghoulish apparitions.
Running time: Two hours and 15 minutes.
In theaters.
Watch the trailer here.
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