Critics Have Seen The Conjuring: Last Rites, And They Have Mixed Opinions About The Horror Franchise’s Sentimental Swan Song

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As Halloween approaches, it seems that the 2025 movie schedule has been favorable for horror enthusiasts thus far. Fans anxiously awaiting the next installment of the Conjuring series, specifically “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” which is expected to be this year’s top horror flick, are eagerly listening to the critics’ opinions before its September 5 theater release. So, what’s the buzz?

Five years after “The Devil Made Me Do It,” the Warrens (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), who were contemplating retirement, encounter the Smurl family, who have a mirror with an evil history connected to the Warrens’ daughter Judy (Mia Tomlinson). According to TopMob’s review of “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” Eric Eisenberg concludes that the movie offers a fitting end to the series. However, returning to the haunted house storyline does not deliver the same impact as previous films. He assigns it 3.5 out of 5 stars, expressing this in his review:

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” effectively brings the series to a satisfying conclusion, but its focus on the traditional haunted house narrative doesn’t quite recapture the magic of earlier installments.

In contrast to many horror series in Hollywood that tend to fade away due to reduced ticket sales, The Conjuring Universe is choosing to conclude on its own merits, and it’s been deemed a successful ending. Although the peak of this franchise was arguably in 2016/2017 with James Wan’s The Conjuring 2 and David F. Sandberg’s Annabelle: Creation, it serves as a heartfelt farewell to two iconic characters who have firmly established their place within the genre.

Meagan Navarro from Bloody Disgusting rates the movie 3.5 out of 5 skulls, stating that “Last Rites” delivers a handful of chilling, fear-inducing scenes, and effectively taps into the emotional bond audiences have built with the Warren family. In her review, she notes:

In an appropriately eerie manner, Last Rites delivers chilling moments that stick with you long after viewing, along with a higher-than-normal dose of gore for a Conjuring film. However, it stands out due to its emotional depth as Wilson and Farmiga deliver heartfelt performances, marking their final appearances as Ed and Lorraine Warren. This poignant, emotional farewell serves as a touching conclusion to one of modern horror’s most prominent franchises. The film will undoubtedly make you jump several times and may even bring tears to your eyes as it says goodbye to these beloved horror icons and marks the end of an era.

Matt Zoller Seitz from RogerEbert.com rates the film 3 out of 4 stars, commending that Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson’s performances have consistently elevated “The Conjuring” horror movie series to one of its kind. In particular, he praises their performances in this final chapter as well. Regarding the film as a whole, Seitz finds it to be well-done.

In this movie, The Conjuring series isn’t particularly distinguished by its supernatural aspects early on, as the characters Ed and Lorraine don’t venture into the haunted location until halfway through the narrative. However, once they arrive, they are fully immersed. The finale of Last Rites delivers an intense, nerve-wracking, and chilling experience, but it also offers a heartwarming and inspiring message. Unlike many films that merely suggest families are stronger when united, this one genuinely embraces the concept and conveys it powerfully with all its emotional intensity.

According to Travis Hopson from Punch Drunk Critic, while he appreciates the familial emotional elements in the movie, he feels they overpower the scary aspects a bit. On the positive side, the appearance of characters from earlier films serves as a nod to the longstanding impact of this horror franchise on the genre. In his review, Hopson assigns the film 2.5 out of 5 stars.

In essence, The Conjuring series, including Last Rites, lacks originality and creativity, as they’ve become overly reliant on standard horror tropes instead of showcasing the director’s unique style. Instead of evoking a genuine sense of dread or terror from each case, which often threatened to destroy the Warrens, the films present a repetitive formula that fails to offer a fresh take. The franchise seems stuck in a rut, and it feels as though if it were to continue for another ten years, there would be no significant change.

According to Frank Scheck of THR, the ninth movie in The Conjuring series isn’t just its floorboards that seem old or worn-out. In Director Michael Chaves’ fourth film in the franchise, titled Last Rites, the scares appear stale and the film seems to be struggling with fatigue. Scheck further notes…

Farmiga and Wilson still captivate viewers, and their effortless camaraderie keeps audiences engaged. However, the overall experience seems somewhat repetitive due to director Michael Chaves not introducing many new or invigorating elements. This sense of antiquity is further emphasized when compared to modern horror films like Sinners, Weapons, and Jordan Peele’s entire body of work, which push boundaries and offer fresh perspectives on the genre.

Last Rites will be released in theaters on Friday, September 5.

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2025-09-05 15:39