The Conjuring franchise remains one of modern cinema’s most acclaimed and beloved horror sagas. Now, the chilling chronicles of Ed and Lorraine Warren reach a haunting conclusion with The Conjuring: Last Rites.
Set in 1986, the Warrens have retired from confronting the paranormal. But when the Smurl family becomes tormented by a malevolent force, they are drawn back into the field for the darkest—and final—case of their career.
Early screenings have already generated strong reactions from audiences. Here’s our High Five Movie Review of The Conjuring: Last Rites.
Pure Terror and Talent
Still from Warner Bros. Pictures
The Conjuring: Last Rites delivers the scares. You might see the jump scare coming, but it still rattles you to your core. You can cover your eyes (like I did), but you won’t escape the horror. Just when you think it’s safe to look, a frightening revelation hits. It’s an absolute scream fest—heightened by a cast whose performances give the story real weight.
Orion Smith as Young Ed, Madison Lawlor as Young Lorraine | Still from Warner Bros. Pictures
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return as Ed and Lorraine Warren, whose final portrayal in the film further cements their legacy in horror cinema. The actors portraying their younger selves were spot-on, from voice to delivery.
Meanwhile, Mia Tomlinson takes on the Judy Warren role with ease, staying true to the character while making her presence felt. Ben Harding brings a natural charm to Tony—Judy’s boyfriend—seamlessly fitting into the Warren family, which is at the forefront of the story this time.
The Warrens Take the Lead
Stills featuring the Warren family | Photos from Warner Bros. Pictures and Entertainment Weekly
Stills featuring the Warren family | Photos from Warner Bros. Pictures and Entertainment Weekly
Stills featuring the Warren family | Photos from Warner Bros. Pictures and Entertainment Weekly
Stills featuring the Warren family | Photos from Warner Bros. Pictures and Entertainment Weekly
What sets The Conjuring: Last Rites apart from previous entries in the saga is that it truly feels like a film about the Warrens—not just them tackling a supernatural case. We’ve seen them help people and families in need, and we’ve watched their story unfold alongside the stories of those they help. While this film does that again, its core narrative focuses on the Warren family itself—which is fitting, given that this is the final chapter.
“Out of all the films, Last Rites puts the most focus on the Warrens with Ed and Lorraine’s career turning into a bit of a family business in this installment since Judy Warren and her partner are involved.” – Kraken Mae, writer, event host, and content creator
The case in this film also isn’t a simple haunting—it’s a confrontation with a force determined to finish what it started with the Warrens themselves. They have no choice but to face it together as a family, and in doing so, their story comes full circle, ending where it began—in their past.
The End is the Beginning
The Conjuring: Last Rites brings the Warrens back for one final case—one that reaches back to the very first evil they ever faced. For the first time, we see them in the earliest days of their career, confronting an entity so malevolent it nearly destroyed their family. The film establishes just how grave the threat is—to them, to the people they must protect, and to their past, which now becomes their greatest enemy. By delving deep into their history, the story raises the stakes, threatening not only their lives but the very legacy of their family.
This time, rather than fleeing, Ed and Lorraine must confront the demon once and for all—but they’re not alone. Their daughter joins them, making The Conjuring: Last Rites the most frightening and emotionally powerful story yet in the saga of the Warrens.
It Transcends Horror
Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Beyond being a truly horrific film, The Conjuring: Last Rites goes further than scares alone. The story tugs at your heart as much as it makes it race, blending emotional weight with intense supernatural tension. Every aspect comes together to create a well-rounded cinematic experience.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites balances its scares with the emotional heart of the Warren family, especially through Judy’s bond with her parents and the lengths Ed and Lorraine go to protect her.” – Shiela Mae Naraga, moviegoer from Makati
Although the film is not a biographical take on the real-life Warrens and their paranormal investigations, it reaffirms that Ed and Lorraine share one of the greatest love stories ever told. Seeing them receive a proper send-off is the ultimate reward for fans who have followed the series from the start.
A Finale That Delivers
Last rites are traditionally given to those on the brink of death, but for The Conjuring: Last Rites, this isn’t the death of a franchise—it’s a powerful conclusion. The narrative unfolds in a way that justifies why this is “the case that ended it all,” tying up all loose ends by the time the credits roll.
“People should watch ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ because it is the best ‘Conjuring’ film.” – Katrina Ochoa, RMT & Content Creator
The film is also packed with callbacks to the entire Conjuring universe, featuring cameos of familiar faces—both human and supernatural. It offers a remarkable look back at the Warrens’ journey, the people they helped, and the lives they changed along the way.
Though it is bittersweet to say goodbye, the franchise ends in the best way possible. It even provides a glimpse of life beyond the Warrens’ final case, leaving fans with a sense of closure—and hope.
“It is rare for horror franchises to end on a high note, but this one does. It honors what came before. It delivers everything fans love about the franchise. By the end, you feel like you have truly reached the final chapter of their story. It does not just end, it concludes.” – The Red Door Podcast PH
The time has come to witness the Warrens’ last stand in The Conjuring: Last Rites, showing in cinemas nationwide with a local MTRCB rating of R-16.
SEA Wave rates The Conjuring: Last Rites 4 out of 5 waves. Let us know what you think of the movie and share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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