The Conjuring: Last Rites Review – Emotional Conclusion but Flimsy Horror Conclusion

The Conjuring franchise has stood at the vanguard of contemporary horror cinema for over a decade. From James Wan’s initial The Conjuring (2013), setting a new standard in supernatural tales, to its numerous spin-offs and sequels, The Conjuring franchise has been more than mere jump scares. At its core, it’s always been about Ed and Lorraine Warren, a pair who battled darkness not just with their faith but with their unbreakable love as well.

Now in 2025, director Michael Chaves brings us The Conjuring: Last Rites, the last installment of this franchise. The film will provide us with closure to the Warrens’ adventures but has its own strengths and weaknesses. Although the emotional intensity is poignant, the horror aspect is less intense than its predecessors.

The Conjuring: Last Rites Story – A Personal and Emotional Struggle

Whereas in earlier reports the Warrens examined cases of strangers, The Conjuring: Last Rites puts the fear in their immediate family. Lorraine is haunted by nightmares, wherein she’s not just witnessing Ed but her daughter and son-in-law as well under threat. The nightmares break the boundary between paranormal research and survival, and thus this case becomes their most personal and tragic so far.

This personal element gives a new depth to the story. It makes one understand that actual horror does not necessarily rest in demonic possessions or haunted objects, but the terror of losing the ones we love. Keeping the stakes so personal, the film has an emotional impact that makes it stand out even when the frights are familiar.

Performances That Hold the Film Together

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga again demonstrate why they are the heart of this series. Wilson is Ed with a serious and quiet demeanor augmented by good humor, and his character is both commanding and accessible. Farmiga gives a richly layered performance as Lorraine. She walks the fine line between vulnerability and strength in a manner that is believable and affecting.

Their on-screen chemistry remains the greatest asset of the Conjuring movies. Ed and Lorraine’s relationship is not just believable but also serves to become the emotional center of the movie. Even when the script falls apart, they keep the viewer engaged till the end.

Horror in the First Half – Atmosphere Done Right

One of the locations where director Michael Chaves excels is the generation of atmosphere. The initial half of Last Rites is able to generate tension through dark corridors, creaking hallways, shadowy individuals, and oppressive silences. All of these details will bring fans instantly back to what made the previous films so iconic.

The suspense buildup makes you interested and wish for a frightful ride. Sadly, the energy starts to lose steam when the film reaches the second half, where emotional closure is more of an emphasis than innovative horror.

Predictability Bogs Down the Second Half

While the franchise’s previous movies set the bar with creative terrors and superbly mounted scenes, The Conjuring: Last Rites tends to opt for the more risk-free option. Overused clichés such as possessions, exorcisms, and visions of demons prevail in the latter half. They work to a point, but they feel stale and predictable.

For longtime fans who expect new layers of mythology or shocking twists, this predictability may feel disappointing. The movie leans too heavily on what we’ve already seen before, instead of exploring new directions in the Conjuring universe.

The Climax – A Letdown Compared to the Build-Up

The climax of The Conjuring: Last Rites is its biggest weakness. With all the emotional build-up, we expect a thrilling and spine-tingling conclusion. What we get instead is a rushed and underdeveloped culmination.

Though the stakes are undoubtedly high, the execution falls short of the edge-of-the-seat tension that previous films provided. Rather than leaving shaken and frightened, audiences can sometimes feel that the ending is fairy-tale rather than horror, which doesn’t do the franchise justice.

Michael Chaves' Direction – Heartfelt but Less Scary

Michael Chaves obviously set out to make The Conjuring: Last Rites a goodbye, not just another horror tale. His intention is to bring out the Warrens’ emotional experience, and he succeeds at doing so. The movie focuses more on love, religion, and perseverance than it does on scary horror.

Whereas this method injects the film with heart, it also loses some of the fear factor. In contrast to The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2, which were chock-full of edge-of-your-seat sequences, this ending feels considerably softer in its scare factor.

Nostalgic Cameos and a Heartfelt Goodbye

Although the scares are a letdown, fans will enjoy the retro elements in Last Rites. Several cameos throughout the Conjuring franchise are featured within the movie, making it feel connected and like deja vu. These scenes remind spectators of how far the Warrens and the audience have come over more than a decade.

The post-credits scene provides yet another emotional touch. Using archival footage of the actual Ed and Lorraine Warren, it honors their memory and brings the fictional tale back to the actual couple that it is based on. It leaves the fans pondering the influence of their tale.

Nostalgic Cameos and a Heartfelt Goodbye

As a horror movie, The Conjuring: Last Rites is uneven. It offers instances of tension and atmospheric fear, particularly in the first half, but the scares are predictable and don’t quite deliver to the same creative heights as the previous movies.

As a conclusion, however, it is perfect. It gives Ed and Lorraine’s journey closure with warmth, nostalgia, and emotional resonance. To fans who have been with the franchise for so long, this is a good goodbye, even if it isn’t the frightening experience they could have wished for.

Should You Watch The Conjuring: Last Rites?

If you are a fan of the Conjuring series, then you should surely watch this movie. It might not scare you as much as The Conjuring 2 did, but it will give you a sense of closure. The chemistry between Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, along with the emotional narrative, makes it worth watching on the big screen.