The Conjuring: Last Rites — A Haunting Farewell to the Warrens
In 2025, The Conjuring saga reaches what is billed as its emotional and supernatural climax with The Conjuring: Last Rites. Directed by Michael Chaves and written by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson‑McGoldrick, the film brings back Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren — paranormal investigators whose careers have long fascinated horror fans.
A Story Rooted in Real Hauntings
At its heart, Last Rites taps into the notorious Smurl haunting case from Pennsylvania in the 1980s — one of the more unsettling episodes the Warrens ever tackled. The narrative weaves flashbacks, a possessed mirror, and tortured objects as Ed and Lorraine confront a force that defies their past methods.
In one reviewed sequence, the mirror becomes an instrument of horror, distorting reflections and echoing the characters’ inner fears. Chaves and cinematographer Eli Born also lean into 1980s-era surveillance footage and grainy home video aesthetics, which makes every shadow feel threatening.
Return of Familiar Faces, Passing the Torch
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise their roles with gravitas, anchoring the film with emotional depth. reviewers noted Lorraine’s intuitive presence and Ed’s steadfast resilience as standouts. The film also signals a shift toward future protagonists: Judy Warren (played by Mia Tomlinson) and her partner Tony Spera (Ben Hardy) emerge as possible heirs to the paranormal legacy.
Box Office & Reception
Last Rites hit theaters in the U.S. on September 5, 2025. It opened with a staggering 84 million domestically, marking the best opening weekend yet for the franchise. [4] Globally, the film has already grossed about 473 million, becoming the most financially successful Conjuring film to date.
Critics’ reviews have been mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, Last Rites scores about 59%, while audience feedback appears warmer. Some viewers appreciate the emotional closure it brings to the Warrens’ arc, while others point to overreliance on jump scares and a slower middle stretch as weaknesses.
What Makes This Finale Stand Out
- Legacy and closure: The film doesn’t just haunt houses — it reckons with the Warrens’ past, their faith, and the idea of moving on.
- Balance of horror and humanity: While supernatural threats drive the plot, the film’s emotional core revolves around family, sacrifice, and fear of what lies beyond. [2]
- Visual style: The use of low-fidelity video artifacts, fragmented lighting, and distortion lets terror build slowly before it strikes. [3]
A Bittersweet Goodnight
If The Conjuring: Last Rites truly serves as the swan song for Ed and Lorraine Warren's story, it does so with respect rather than spectacle. It may not reinvent the wheel for horror, but it brings the saga full circle. And while not every scare feels new, the emotional weight — the farewell to the Warrens as legends — gives it lingering power.
For fans who’ve followed the journey from the first film onward, Last Rites feels like more than a final case. It feels like turning off the lights in a house that’s seen decades of nightmares.
Watch the trailer below and tell me what you think about this movie.
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