What began in 2013 with ‘The Conjuring’ has reached its supposed conclusion in 2025 with ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’, Warner Bros.’ swan song to the chilling cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Over the last 12 years, the franchise has spawned nine films, each inspired by the Warrens’ most notorious encounters with the supernatural.

The latest installment, released worldwide this Friday, was positioned as both a farewell to the beloved couple and a climactic chapter in one of horror cinema’s most successful sagas. Expectations were sky-high—but did the film and its makers deliver the haunting finale fans hoped for? Sadly, no. In this review, we explore why ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ may be the franchise’s weakest entry yet.

Unfolding the narrative:

‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ is a story that’s centred on the first case of Ed and Lorren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), which also happens to be the last case for the journey as paranormal investigators. It begins with showing the couple as retired from their job, yet giving out lectures on paranormal investigation, while also working together on a book they’re writing about their countless experiences and encounters with the supernatural.

On the other hand, a family in Pennsylvania, the Smurls, begins to face a series of disturbing and inexplicable events within their home. What starts as strange disturbances soon escalates into something far more sinister, forcing the family to confront the terrifying reality that an evil presence resides with them. The Smurl family reaches out to the Church but receives no help.

Eventually, it’s the Warrens that come to their rescue, as the case becomes personal for them with the life of their daughter Judy at risk.

Strengths of the film:

One of the biggest strengths of this film—and indeed the entire franchise—lies in the performances of its leading pair, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Their chemistry and conviction once again breathe life into the narrative, grounding the supernatural chaos with genuine emotion. True to the franchise’s reputation, ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ packs in more jump scares than one might anticipate, and several of them land effectively. What elevates these moments beyond mere tricks of the genre is the hauntingly powerful background score. Time and again, the music has been the franchise’s secret weapon, amplifying tension and making the horror feel visceral. In fact, across all nine films, few elements have been as consistently outstanding as the score, which turns the fear into something far more palpable and lasting.

Where it stumbles:

One of the biggest disappointments with this film is its overwhelming predictability. While the intention behind ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ was clearly to offer a heartfelt farewell to the Warrens, the execution falls short. It simply doesn’t live up to the benchmark set by the original ‘The Conjuring’, which established a high standard for the entire cinematic universe.

The first half is dedicated almost entirely to setting up the premise. Although hints of paranormal activity appear early on, the narrative is weighed down by prolonged drama, with very little active involvement from the Warrens. By the time the real story finally takes shape in the second half, it feels rushed, and before the audience can fully settle into it, the film is already over.

What makes this even more underwhelming is the treatment of elements that the franchise is best known for—its chilling possessions and spine-tingling exorcisms. In this installment, both feel like fleeting afterthoughts, with the exorcism sequence in particular lacking any real sense of terror. Ultimately, the film gives the impression of being hurriedly wrapped up, and in doing so, sacrifices the very qualities that once made the series stand out. The result is a finale that struggles to even come close to the impact of its predecessors.

Final verdict:

‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ is a decent one-time watch, but definitely the weakest film of the franchise. Watch it for the love of horror and the franchise, but don’t have too many expectations from it, unless you want to be left disappointed.

  • Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
  • Director: Michael Chaves
  • Screenplay: Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick
  • Story: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and James Wan
  • Producer: James Wan and Peter Safran