The Conjuring: Last Rites Movie Review: A Disappointing End to a Beloved Franchise?
The Conjuring: Last Rites : Finally, the farewell film of the Conjuring series, The Conjuring: Last Rites, has been released in theaters. This time, it felt like this last installment would be scarier and more terrifying than the rest of the series, but that didn’t happen. Let’s find out the reasons why.
The Plot: A Familiar But Faltering Formula
Just like the previous parts of The Conjuring, this film also shows the Warren family solving a paranormal case. The film is based on a real-life case of paranormal experts, the Warrens. The story shows the Warren family has retired from their work because Ed has a heart condition, which, incidentally, is what led to his real-life death. The story begins when the Smaral family moves into a new house in Pennsylvania. They bring an antique, haunted mirror for their daughter, and from there, the eerie and terrifying game begins.The Warrens learn about this case when their daughter, Judy, who has superpowers like her mother Lorraine, starts having nightmares about the ghostly events happening to the Smaral family. The Warrens realize that these events are connected to them, and just like every time they have tangled with spirits, the connection becomes deeply personal. Now, to find out how they will deal with it, you will have to watch the movie.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The first half of the film is very slow, taking a long time to set the stage. The film picks up the pace a bit in the second half, where the real ghostly games begin. The film introduces a new, very powerful demon that proves to be a formidable opponent for the Warren family. Annabelle also makes a brief appearance to give you a few scares.
The film is directed by Michael Chaves, who has directed some parts of the Conjuring series and other horror films like The Nun. However, while watching this film, it feels like the genuine fear that the Conjuring series was known for is missing. The horror scenes feel a bit too common. Perhaps the filmmakers also thought, “We’ve shown everything; what new can we show the audience, and how can we scare them?” In my personal experience, there wasn’t much that was scary. The film’s climax is good, but it lacks suspense and has a happy ending.
As always, Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson have played their roles well. One of the “wow” moments in the film is a scene where Judy Warren is standing in front of the mirror, and a hand reaches out and grabs her neck. It’s not a particularly terrifying scene, but the sound effects make it quite effective.
Speaking of the BGM, which is most important in horror films, it’s good and successfully makes the horror scenes effective. The film has the right atmosphere for a horror movie, and the psychological elements are also properly set. However, the first half, which is a bit boring, makes the film feel weak.
Overall, the film is a one-time watch. Horror film enthusiasts can definitely give it a try.
Ratings
Filmikaar Bhai – 6.5/10
IMDb – 6.6/10