‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ – A Heartfelt Farewell to Horror’s Beloved Couple
As the curtain prepares to fall on one of horror cinema’s most successful franchises, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” readies itself for a September 5 release, promising fans a fitting conclusion to the supernatural journey of Ed and Lorraine Warren. This final installment has generated significant buzz among horror enthusiasts, with early reviews suggesting a departure from the franchise’s usual formula – focusing more on the emotional journey of the Warrens themselves rather than just the terrifying case they’re investigating. The film centers around what’s portrayed as the final paranormal investigation in the Warrens’ storied career, and while the trailer hints at possibly the most frightening entry in the series, critics are highlighting something unexpected: the emotional resonance at the heart of this farewell.
Early reviews paint “The Conjuring: Last Rites” as a balanced blend of scares and sentiment. Critic Ashlee Pradella notes that the film surprisingly emphasizes Ed and Lorraine’s relationship over the Smurl haunting at its center, describing it as “a slow burn, but once it kicks in, there are solid scares, strong emotion, and a real sense of finality.” This sentiment is echoed by Nick Zednik, who praises it as “a solid and fitting conclusion to one of horror’s best franchises,” emphasizing that the film still delivers the jump scares and dread that fans expect while adding an unexpectedly emotional layer. He specifically commends Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga for putting “their heart and soul into a satisfying finale,” though he mentions the film feels “a little too long” despite its overall impact.
Critics seem aligned in their assessment that while “Last Rites” may not be the scariest entry in the franchise, it compensates with emotional depth and closure. Screentime’s review summarizes this consensus succinctly, calling it “a fitting sendoff for the Warrens” that “isn’t as exciting or scary as previous efforts, but delivers a touching finale.” Empire Magazine awards the film 3 out of 5 stars, highlighting the thoughtful callbacks to previous installments and even a cameo from series creator James Wan that helps “tie everything together neatly at the end.” Their review wryly acknowledges the horror genre’s tendency for unexpected resurrections, noting that “with a series like this, things often come back to life unexpectedly” but concludes that “it seems right to leave the Warrens going out on their own terms.”
Deadline’s review delves deeper into the film’s thematic substance, identifying it as “the most wholesome chapter of the bunch” in what they describe as “a series that is admirably earnest.” They suggest the film’s heavy emphasis on faith and religious themes borders on “religious propaganda” while simultaneously acknowledging that “the approach is undoubtedly effective, with a climax that is as scary as it is emotionally resonant.” Perhaps most tellingly, Deadline observes that unlike some previous entries in the franchise, “many of the film’s scariest moments are tied seamlessly to the emotional stakes of the characters” – suggesting a more mature, character-driven approach to horror than the series has sometimes employed in the past.
While “The Conjuring” franchise has never positioned itself as award-season material, it has consistently excelled at dramatizing the extraordinary careers and relationship of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The films have always walked a fine line between purported “based on true events” authenticity and Hollywood supernatural spectacle. What emerges from the critical consensus around “Last Rites” is that this final chapter succeeds not just as a horror film but as a heartfelt conclusion to the dramatized story of two paranormal investigators who have become beloved characters in their own right. The reviews suggest that fans of the franchise will likely appreciate this emotion-driven finale that honors the characters’ journey as much as it delivers the supernatural thrills they’ve come to expect.
As “The Conjuring: Last Rites” prepares to close this chapter of horror cinema history, the early critical response points to a satisfying conclusion that balances scares with substance. In a genre often criticized for prioritizing shock over story, it appears the franchise has chosen to end its run by doubling down on the human connection at its core – the relationship between Ed and Lorraine Warren. For the devoted audience that has followed their supernatural adventures across multiple films, this emotional farewell may prove to be the most fitting end to their journey through the darkness, offering both chills and a touching sense of closure to one of horror’s most successful franchises.
