The Conjuring Movie Review

The Conjuring redefines haunted house horror with heart, faith, and genuine fear. Wan releases a new supernatural flick, based on real-life ghost hunters Ed & Lorraine Warren. 

Genre: Horror / Mystery

Director: James Wan

Cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Lily Taylor, Ron Livingston, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Sterling Jerins & Steve Coulter.

Run Time: 112 min.

US Release: 19 July 2013

UK Release: 02 August 2013

German Release: 01 August 2013

Welcome back to my site. Today, as a lead-up to The Conjuring 2, which is set to release later this year, I decided to revisit the first entry. Back in 2013, when The Conjuring came out, I had no clue about it. I didn’t even watch the trailers, and I only went to see it because a friend dragged me along. Ironically, after the film ended, he was furious because the trailers had spoiled most of the scares. Out of curiosity, I checked them when I got home and… wow, I got why he was mad. The marketing team really showed far too much! Luckily, I went in blind, and honestly, that was the best way to watch it.

— WARNING, THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS! —

Set in 1971, the story follows Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and Roger Perron (Ron Livingston), who move their family into a dilapidated farmhouse in Harrisville. Soon, strange and unexplainable events begin to plague the family. The clocks stop at the same time every night, doors slam shut on their own, and the children begin to notice a sinister presence. Desperate, Carolyn reaches out to paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga). When the Warrens arrive, they discover that the Perrons are not dealing with a simple haunting, but a deeply rooted, malevolent entity that tied itself to the family. What transpires is an escalating battle between faith, love, and pure evil.

Written by twin brothers Chad and Carey Hayes, the script smartly takes its time to establish the Perron family before unleashing the supernatural chaos. The slow build-up is one of the movie's greatest strengths, allowing the audience to form a connection with the characters before the terror begins. When the haunting finally intensifies, it hits closer to home, like something that could happen to anyone. It’s proof that characters mattered as much as scares.

Wan doesn’t rush into the scares; he lets tension slowly wind up, letting it creep under your skin. The first half is almost a family drama, and then… BANG… the second half explodes into a non-stop sequence of supernatural evil. What makes it work so well is the balance between psychological horror with trademark jump scares. The scares are not cheap; they play on anticipation and silence.

If there is a negative, it is that The Conjuring steps on familiar territory. Many of the genre’s tropes have been done before. So while this feature is masterfully executed, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. That said, what it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for in atmosphere.

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga deliver magnificent performances as Ed and Lorraine Warren. Their on-screen chemistry is believable, bringing warmth plus humanity to the story. The Warrens could have easily been portrayed as standard “paranormal investigators,” but Wilson and Farmiga give them depth, vulnerability, and perseverance. The quiet moments together, especially as they discuss the toll their work takes on their family, gives the film genuine emotional weight.

Still, the real standout is Lili Taylor as Carolyn Perron. Her performance is gut-wrenching, especially during the possession scenes where she conveys both terror and exhaustion. There is a physical intensity in her portrayal that feels legitimate and deeply disturbing. Ron Livingston gives a solid rendition as Roger, grounding the ensuing chaos with a fatherly desperation. The child actors, too, deserve praise for their believable reactions,  something that can easily turn into cliché.

On the technical side, The Conjuring is brilliant. The cinematography is stunning, blending handheld and steady camera to great effect. The use of brown-washed hues and muted lighting perfectly captures the early 1970s aesthetic, while the gothic production design amplifies the film’s creepy, oppressive tone. Wan’s preference for practical effects over CGI adds realism to the scares, like when a door slams or a spirit manifests, it feels true.

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Verdict: Ultimately, The Conjuring is proof that James Wan knows exactly how to craft fear. Whether it’s the bloody gore fest of Saw or the slow-burning supernatural terror of Insidious, he understands pacing, just like he knows how to create atmosphere and tension like few other horror directors. Here, he returns to the old-school haunted house subgenre but elevates it through honest emotions, as well as masterful direction. The cherry on top is the fantastic portrayal by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who have impeccable chemistry, plus the show-stealing performance by Lili Taylor. This was one of 2013's highlights. I dug the crap out of this flick, immediately bought it on Blu-ray once it was released on that format. It’s an 8.5 out of 10. 

What did you think of The Conjuring? Is it one of your favourite horror movies? Leave a comment to let me know. Thank you very much for reading, & look out for my review of the sequel, later this year.