‘The Conjuring’ franchise has always balanced genuine chills with heartfelt storytelling, and ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’—the fourth and final entry in the Warrens’ saga—leans into that emotional core more than ever.
While it may not be the scariest installment, it delivers a farewell that feels poignant, sincere, and worthy of its legacy.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga once again shine as Ed and Lorraine Warren. Their chemistry remains the franchise’s anchor, and here it’s infused with an extra layer of tenderness. The Warrens are no longer just battling demons—they’re grappling with age, family, and the weight of a lifetime of cases.
This shift gives the film a bittersweet, almost elegiac tone. Their performances elevate even the quieter moments, and for longtime fans, their goodbye is what makes the film resonate.
The scares themselves are serviceable, though not groundbreaking. Director Michael Chaves sets up eerie sequences—mirrors, shadows, sudden apparitions—but many of the jump scares feel familiar, even predictable. Some fans wished the spirits had deeper backstories, which might have given the horror elements more weight. Still, there are moments of genuine tension, and the atmosphere is effectively unsettling.
Where the film falters is in its pacing and climax. The middle act drags, burdened with multiple subplots, and the final showdown—though ambitious—lacks the punch of the series’ strongest entries. The CGI-heavy ending feels more like a generic supernatural battle than the tightly staged terror James Wan established in the first two films.
Yet, despite these flaws, ‘Last Rites’ succeeds in what it sets out to do: give the Warrens a heartfelt send-off. Surprise cameos from across the ‘Conjuring’ universe, as well as a moving post-credits sequence featuring real-life archival footage of Ed and Lorraine, reinforce the sense of closure.
For fans, this is a must-watch. It’s not the scariest ‘Conjuring’ film, but it may be the most emotional. For casual horror viewers, it’s a decent watch—creepy enough, though perhaps not as memorable without the full franchise context.
Rating: 3.9/5
A flawed but fitting finale—less about demons in the dark, more about the enduring light of love, faith, and family.
