‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Trailer

A teaser for “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” produced by New Line Cinema and featuring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, has been released by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film is set to hit theaters on September 5, 2025.

It’s been quite a while—12 years since the last installment in this franchise filled with supernatural occurrences. If you follow the series, you know that this is the ninth entry, joining five spinoffs in a flourishing Warner Bros. franchise. Once again, we delve into the lives of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Wilson and Farmiga, who continue to navigate their harrowing cases. This particular story focuses on what is billed as their final case.

The narrative revisits the Warrens in 1986 as they deliver lectures about their investigations. Interestingly, a few attending college students seem more interested in cracking “Ghostbusters” jokes rather than the serious matter at hand. By this point, the Warrens had stepped back from active research, with Ed claiming there’s just a “rift” in their work, though he seems reluctant to confront the real implications of that decision.

As the film opens with a flashback to 1964, we find a very pregnant Lorraine and Ed diving into their first encounter with the demonic, coming across a hauntingly reflective mirror that disturbs Lorraine. When she touches it, chaos ensues, culminating in a stillbirth. Yet, against all odds—and after a moment of fervent prayer—she gives birth to their miracle baby, Judy.

Fast forward to present-day West Pittston, Pennsylvania, where the Sumar family faces turmoil. After receiving a cursed mirror as a confirmation gift for their teenage granddaughter, they end up regretting their decision. It’s puzzling why they didn’t just exchange it for something less ominous, but there it is, a strange plot device that begins the story.

The paranormal activity creeps in slowly, with the typical unsettling occurrences—a blown-out candle here, a doll that moves on its own there, and shadows lurking in unexpected places. But of course, what appears to be a sinister presence often turns out to be nothing more than a familiar poster on the wall. It escalates when the daughters attempt to dispose of the cursed mirror, and things spiral from there.

Clocking in at a lengthy 2 hours and 15 minutes, “Last Rites” takes its time before the Warrens even arrive on the scene, spending a considerable part of the film focused on Judy (played by Mia Tomlinson). Like her mother, Judy has inherited the ability to see the supernatural, but she struggles with her gifts. This predicament leads to a showdown reminiscent of “Avengers: Endgame,” though, frankly, the execution leaves much to be desired. We also meet Judy’s boyfriend Tony (Ben Hardy), who doesn’t bring much to the table, to say the least.

Wilson and Farmiga maintain their dedication to the “Conjuring” series, effectively carrying the narrative as it unfolds. Farmiga particularly showcases emotional depth, portraying Lorraine’s persistent anxiety over safeguarding Judy from lurking demons. Unfortunately, the familial tension feels somewhat overshadowed by the horror elements.

Good horror thrives on memorable fright. The first film in the series excelled in this regard. In contrast, “Last Rites” seems to deliver muddled scares, making it tough to recall them once the credits roll.

It’s easy to point fingers at either lackluster writing or uninspired direction. Michael Chavez, returning as director after his work on “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” and the spinoff “Nun II,” seems to have been running on autopilot here, unlike the earlier, visionary direction of his predecessor.

Verdict:

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” wraps up the saga of Ed and Lorraine Warren, but it doesn’t deliver the grand finale it’s positioned to be. The absence of genuine fright renders this closing chapter the weakest of the series. For horror enthusiasts, I’d suggest only investing time in the first two films.

★★ – Skip

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is rated R for violent content and frightening scenes. It runs for 2 hours and 15 minutes and is currently showing in theaters.