After nine films and countless cursed objects, The Conjuring: Last Rites creeps in as the franchise’s final fright, nostalgic, emotional, and just spooky enough to make you sleep with the lights on.

Marketed as the final chapter for Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), this film doesn’t just close a door, it creaks it shut with style, sentiment, and a few solid scares.

When the past haunts the present

Set in 1986, the Warrens are semi-retired, with Ed’s heart condition keeping him away from ghost-hunting and Lorraine is trying to enjoy a quieter life. But peace is short-lived when their daughter Judy (Mia Tomlinson) and her fiancé Tony Spera (Ben Hardy) stumble into a haunting tied to a cursed mirror, an artifact from the Warrens’ early investigations that was never truly dealt with.

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This isn’t just another demonic possession. The mirror has been watching Judy since she was a child, feeding off her psychic energy. The story loosely draws from the real-life Smurl haunting, but the film takes creative liberties, turning the mirror into a malevolent centrepiece that’s more than just a spooky antique, and is a symbol of unresolved trauma and generational fear.

As the haunting intensifies, the Warrens are pulled back into the fray, not out of duty, but out of love. This time, it’s not about saving strangers, it’s about saving family. That focus gives Last Rites its emotional core, grounding the supernatural in something deeply human which is the fear of losing those we love, and the ghosts we carry from our past.

Image Credit: Warner Bros

While Last Rites doesn’t reinvent the horror wheel, it delivers effective scares, especially in its final act, where the demon manifests in multiple forms and the Warrens face their most personal battle yet.

But what sets this entry apart is its emotional weight. The film isn’t just about defeating evil, it’s about letting go and not running away from a fight.

Acting with spirit

Patrick Wilson delivers one of his most grounded performances as Ed Warren. Gone is the bravado of earlier films, here, Ed is older, slower, and painfully aware of his mortality. Wilson leans into the vulnerability, giving us a man who’s haunted not just by demons, but by the fear of leaving his family unprotected.

Vera Farmiga, as Lorraine feels more maternal than ever. Here, Lorraine isn’t just a medium, she’s a mother, a mentor, and a woman trying to shield her daughter from the same darkness she’s spent decades fighting. 

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Meanwhile, Mia Tomlinson steps into Judy Warren’s shoes with surprising emotional depth. In this movie, Judy is front and center, torn between her inherited gift and the trauma it brings. 

Our verdict

The Conjuring: Last Rites isn’t the scariest in the series, but it might be the most heartfelt. It’s a love letter to fans, a tribute to the Warrens, and a reminder that horror can have heart. 

Whether you’ve been following the Warrens since their first eerie encounter in The Conjuring, or you just came for the jump scares and cursed antiques, Last Rites delivers a send-off that feels earned. It’s not just the end of a franchise, it’s the end of an era.

Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros