The long-awaited sequel, The Conjuring: Last Rites, is finally streaming on HBO. The movie is hailed as “the darkest thing we’ve ever seen in the series,” by its director, Michael Chaves. But is it? Let’s talk about it.
In this desperate final encounter, the Warrens confront a malevolent darkness that has consumed the Smurl family. Set in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s, the film follows Janet and Jack Smurl and their family of eight. Their life on Chase Street descends into a violent, supernatural nightmare. Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Larraine (Vera Farmiga) reluctantly sign on to help the family.
The Last Mission
The movie opens with a very pregnant Lorraine on a case involving a mirror. The encounter causes Lorraine to go into labor, and they almost lose their daughter. Fast-forward to when Judy (Mia Tomlinson) is an adult, having haunting visions of her own. Together, the family faces off with the entity and the mirror that almost killed Judy for their last mission.
Unlike the previous films of the franchise, Last Rites is as much about Judy as it is about Ed and Larraine. We see her struggling with terrifying visions as she goes through major milestones, such as getting engaged. Chaves aimed to bring in drama along with the scares, as we see Ed having heart problems and the couple facing the fact that their daughter is no longer a little girl. Chaves successfully positions this entry as a torch-passing finale. The increased focus on an adult Judy—her engagement to Tony (Ben Hardy), her struggles with frightening visions—feels less like a subplot and more like a deliberate setup for a future spin-off.
I’ll admit it, while the focus on Judy is appreciated, her arc suffered from a frustrating narrative detour. The constant emphasis on her fragility and Lorraine’s overbearing insistence that she block her visions felt like an unnecessary emotional drag, making her eventual decision to embrace them feel unearned and late. This aspect of the story was a complete waste of time, except for showing Lorraine’s overbearing intentions.
Drama and Demons
The Smurl haunting is chillingly rendered, featuring some truly imposing and unique moments. It’s a shame that this central, visceral terror sometimes takes a back seat to the more melodramatic family conflicts. I would have liked to see more time devoted to the haunting and less to the drama. Let’s be honest, the creepy stuff is what we’re all here for.
Yes, there are some seriously action-packed moments; however, the movie is mostly about family relationships, including the Warrens and the Smurls. The film is inspired by a true story, with Smurls being both one of the Warrens’ most well-known cases and their last.
Move Over Annabelle
In The Conjuring: Last Rites, we see the return of Annabelle overshadowed by a newer, creepier contender: a second doll that eschews the cartoonish look for something more unsettlingly lifelike. She crawls and disturbingly calls out ‘Momma!’—a detail that made me officially declare my home a doll-free zone, except for my Chucky doll; he can stay. After all, he is my “friend till the end.”
Killer VFX
The special effects, from subtle moments to full-on demonic assaults and deaths, do impress. To dive headfirst into the effects, watch our interview with Alex Millet, Digital Domain’s VFX Supervisor. Watch as he talks about bringing the movie and its demons to life.
To Sum It Up
Is Last Rites “the darkest thing we’ve ever seen in the series?” No, the original still holds that crown. But as a final chapter, The Conjuring: Last Rites is a successful, emotionally resonant farewell. It trades relentless scares for character depth and effectively passes the baton, wrapping up the main Warren saga in a neat, satisfying box.
If you’re upset about Last Rites being the end for the Warrens, don’t be; we’ll likely see more spin-offs like Annabelle, The Nun, and more. Also, there are other projects in the works already, including a spin-off series from HBO and another movie. So, this isn’t really the end.
Watch The Conjuring: Last Rites now on HBO or get your copy on Blu-ray or DVD on November 25.
