The Conjuring: Last Rites Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

When a demonic entity from their past reappears, the Warrens are forced out of retirement to face the evil. But can this last chapter conjure its audience? 

Genre: Horror

Director: Michael Chavez

Cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy, Steve Coulter, Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kia Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon & Peter Wright.

Run Time: 135 min.

US Release: 05 September 2025

UK Release: 05 September 2025

German Release: 04 September 2025

Big thanks to my wonderful girlfriend, who took me to see this one on opening night for my birthday. We had a blast together at the cinema, though not for obvious reasons.  Now, if you didn’t know, horror is my preferred genre, with The Conjuring movies being some of my favourites - not so much the whole franchise. The first two films directed by James Wan are among the best supernatural pictures ever made, filled with incredible suspense. The third one, with Chavez taking over the reins, was less fulfilling, though still enjoyable. This one, unfortunately, is my least favourite of the bunch.

So, grab your rosaries, open your Bibles and let's start reviewing The Conjuring: Last Rites!

Based on the real-life Smurl haunting case from the 1980s, retired paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren are pulled back into action for one last terrifying case in Pennsylvania. Together, the family must face a demonic entity tied to their past.

A little over a year after the release of The Devil Made Me Do It, production started on this fourth instalment of the series, with Chaves returning as regisseur. Shooting began in September of last year, wrapping up by the end of November.

Last Rites is plagued by narrative issues that affect the flick from beginning to end. For one, the runtime is simply too long, with the first half dragging considerably, as it focuses on the Warrens' private life with soapy drama. A few jump scares are sprinkled throughout, though this unfortunately dilutes the fright factor. The screenplay is also overstuffed with B- plus C-plot lines, exploring the lead’s past, their daughter, retirement, Father Gourdon’s own paranormal investigation, as well as the Smurl haunting itself.

This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its merits. The last half of the flick kicks into gear with high-octane horror, utilising its jump scares to great effect, though the overall tone is more sombre than its predecessors. It also provides a bittersweet conclusion to the Warrens’ storyline, giving them an emotional send-off. Finally, the character-driven focus not only fleshes out the leads but also gives depth to the victims of the demonic entity.

The dialogue is another mixed bag. While it adds credible, as well as surprisingly funny lines, such as Ed being protective of his daughter when she introduces her new boyfriend, most of the conversations end up sounding too formulaic.

The true central character of this last chapter is Judy Warren, daughter of Ed and Lorraine. Mia Tomlinson, the third actress to take on this persona, brings heart plus warmth to the role. Unfortunately, her acting can become somewhat clichéd, especially during the more intense scenes.

Vera Farmiga returns alongsidePatrick Wilson as Lorraine and Ed Warren, respectively. Both actors maintain their fabulous chemistry, making their marriage believable. Wilson brings a surprising amount of humour to his role, while Farmiga balances out the horror with her dramatic presence as family matriarch. Together, they grounded the feature’s supernatural elements that could quickly become cartoonish.

Ben Hardy as Tony, the newest member of the clan, has solid chemistry with Tomlinson, just as with Patrick Wilson. Tony is likeable, though unfortunately underexplored, but Hardy himself delivers a solid performance.

Cinematographically, The Conjuring: Last Rites is gorgeous to behold. The washed-out visuals, with sepia filters, add flair to the 80s aesthetics. The inclusion of grainy, low-res video footage reinforces the setting. The utilisation of camera trickery is well handled, adding to the build-up of suspense plus tension. That said, some of the lighting could have been improved, as the excessive darkness occasionally makes it hard to make out what is happening on screen.

A large portion of the movie blends practical effects and VFX successfully, though the visuals are hampered by some cheaper-looking CGI, particularly during the final act. The set design and wardrobe, on the other hand, efficiently capture the film’s 80s setting.

The music, composed by Benjamin Wallfish, helps set the mood, creating a chilling soundtrack. Unfortunately, it sounds like a modernised blend of familiar cues.

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Verdict: The fourth instalment in the Warren’s cinematic series is, sadly, a disappointing one, especially when compared to the brilliantly executed first two. The screenplay is hit and miss, with a painfully slow first half that takes too long to build momentum. The family drama borders on soap opera levels, while the abundance of subplots detracts from the main story. That said, its character-driven story fleshes out many of the figures. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga share their usual excellent chemistry, grounding the supernatural components in emotional realism. Newcomer Tony is a pleasant addition, though left uncharted. Mia Tomlinson gives a warm rendition as Judy, though her acting can be frustrating, especially during shocking moments. The cinematography captures the 80s style beautifully, though uneven CGI occasionally breaks immersion. The Conjuring: Last Rites earns a mediocre 5.5 out of 10.

Have you seen this last instalment? Are you planning on watching it? If so, please leave a comment with your thoughts below. Thank you, as always, for reading. Don’t forget to share & subscribe!