As a huge fan of The Conjuring Franchise from day one, I was looking forward to watching this farewell since its announcement. The Conjuring: Last Rites feels like both a chilling finale and a heartfelt tribute to one of the most iconic horror franchises of the last decade. Directed with a clear love for the series’ legacy, this chapter honors the spirit of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s stories while giving fans the emotional and supernatural payoff they’ve been waiting for.

In The Conjuring films, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga bring the Warrens to life with warmth, conviction, and an undeniable chemistry that grounds the franchise in humanity even when the supernatural terror escalates. Since the release of the first film in 2013, the Conjuring universe has grown into one of the most successful horror franchises ever, spawning spinoffs such as Annabelle, The Nun, and The Curse of La Llorona. What sets these films apart from other haunted house stories is the blend of spine-tingling scares with an emotional throughline rooted in the Warrens’ marriage, faith, and commitment to helping others.

For those unfamiliar, Ed and Lorraine Warren were real-life paranormal investigators who rose to prominence in the mid-20th century. Their case files inspired some of the most famous hauntings in history, including The Amityville Horror.  While their legacy is complicated and not without controversy (IYKYK), their stories make for GREAT movies. 

The Conjuring: Last Rites leans into everything fans love about the series. There is a ton of atmospheric tension, bone-chilling scares, and heartfelt character work. Rather than relying solely on jump scares, the film builds dread with quiet unease, with unsettling imagery, and an ominous sense of finality. What makes Last Rites so effective is its balance of horror and heart. 

Yes, the demons are terrifying and the exorcisms gripping, but the true strength lies in how much it feels like a love letter to fans and to the Warrens’ legacy. Longtime fans will notice clever callbacks to earlier films and emotional payoffs that tie the saga together. 

The film does leave the door open for a possible continuation with more prequels exploring the Warrens’ early investigations or by shifting focus to their daughter Judy and her husband as the next generation of paranormal defenders. Personally, I hope this universe isn’t done yet. But if The Conjuring: Last Rites truly is the final chapter, it serves as a perfect farewell. If not, it’s proof that this franchise still has plenty of chilling stories left to tell. 

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