Sometimes the only way to understand unfamiliar terrain is to walk it yourself. Despite the mixed reactions surrounding The Conjuring: Last Rites, I chose to experience the film firsthand—partly because of my long-standing appreciation for the franchise, and partly because this installment was positioned as the closing chapter of a story I had followed for years. That alone was reason enough to step forward.
Foundations
The film introduces Ed and Lorraine Warren at a much earlier point in their lives—young, hopeful, and expecting their first child. Their growing family does little to slow their mission. In the midst of one investigation, they encounter an unspeakable evil that forces Lorraine into premature labor and nearly claims the life of their unborn child. The child is revived not through medical intervention, but through faith, prayer, and love. This moment serves as both an origin and a turning point, setting the emotional foundation for everything that follows.
The Branching of the Tree
From there, the narrative shifts to another family, one whose home becomes the latest target of a malevolent force. What unfolds is a dual narrative: one that tracks Ed and Lorraine as they navigate parenthood alongside their calling, and another that focuses on life after retirement. With their daughter grown and their active investigations limited by health concerns, the story pivots—placing their daughter, Judy, at its center.
Gifted from a young age and long haunted by nightmares, Judy becomes the film’s true protagonist. While Last Rites is ultimately about the Warrens and their final confrontation with the supernatural, it is also Judy’s story: a young woman learning to confront what has followed her all her life, to understand her gift, and to move forward in power rather than fear.
Faith, Fear, and Family
The film weaves multiple storylines into a single conclusion. Viewers must track the Smurl family and their haunting, Judy’s coming-of-age struggle, and the Warrens’ attempt to reclaim some sense of normalcy after decades of spiritual warfare. These threads converge as the film works to connect this final installment to earlier entries in the franchise. From lecture halls in the original The Conjuring to Annabelle and The Devil Made Me Do It, the callbacks and connective tissue are deliberate and largely effective, grounding the film in the broader mythology.
Last Rites does not lack frightening moments. Nightmares, jump scares, and the overwhelming dread of confronting forces beyond one’s depth remain firmly intact. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga deliver the performances audiences have come to expect, anchoring the film with emotional continuity and credibility.
Grounding the Work
As a conclusion, the film succeeds in closing a franchise inspired by the real-life cases of Ed and Lorraine Warren. While the series never relied on strict narrative continuity, it evolved into a shared cinematic universe that left a lasting mark on a generation of horror fans. One of the film’s strengths lies in its willingness to shift focus. Rather than centering on investigation alone, Last Rites emphasizes legacy—who the Warrens were beyond their cases, and what they leave behind.
For some viewers, this tonal shift may feel misaligned with expectations. The film humanizes Ed and Lorraine, stripping away any notion of them as untouchable figures and grounding them as people gifted, faithful, and committed to helping others. For those open to that perspective, it serves as a meaningful and fitting sendoff.
Authenticity as Finality
The closing sequence, which incorporates real archival footage, adds a final layer of authenticity and emotional weight. It reinforces the sense of closure—not just for the Warrens’ story, but for a cinematic chapter that has reached its natural end.
For viewers who have yet to see The Conjuring: Last Rites, the film is currently streaming on Max.
Uncut Diamonds 