The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It Movie Review

The third Warren adventure recounts the 1981 real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed to have been under the influence of a demon when slaughtering his landlord. 

Genre: Horror / Mystery

Director: Michael Chaves

Cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ruairi O’Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook, Julian Hilliard, Steve Coulter, Shannon Cook, Sterling Jerins, John Noble & Eugenie Bondurant.

Run Time: 112 min.

US Release: 04 June 2021

UK Release: 26 May 2021

German Release: 01 July 2021

It’s Throwback Thursday, meaning it's time to finally finish my reviews of the Warrens' supernatural encounters. This second sequel was released in 2021, still in the midst of the pandemic, with rules as well as regulations affecting moviegoing. As such, I wasn’t keen on going to theatres during that time, only venturing out for features that I absolutely needed to see on the big screen. The Devil Made Do It wasn’t one of them, so I waited until it hit streaming. It isn’t as gripping as Wan’s previous two flicks; however, I thought this third instalment still had a solid premise going for it.

So, come down with me to court as we review the account of this demonic trial. 

— WARNING, THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS! —

After the Warrens save eight-year-old David Galtzel from demonic possession, the entity attaches itself to his sister's boyfriend, Arne Cheyenne Johnson, also causing Ed to suffer a heart attack, meant as a warning. Months later, Arne, under the influence of that demonic presence, kills his landlord and is arrested for first-degree murder. The Warrens step in to help, pleading the court to consider that a demonic being curses the young man. In the process, they uncover a more sinister secret: an occult witch is behind a recent string of possessions, pulling the strings from the shadows.

The exit of James Wan, as well as writers Chad and Carey Hayes, has clearly left a mark. Although still enjoyable, especially thanks to the departure of the haunted house element, replaced by an investigative, procedural outline, preventing narrative repetitiveness. The mystery surrounding the Johnson case feels urgent, plus it is well-executed, while the drama strengthens the family subtext.

That said, the story is messy due to its episodic structure, overstuffed with side arcs that ultimately make it feel longer than its predecessor, even though it is twenty minutes shorter. The courtroom angle, which had real potential, is completely wasted, never getting the focus it deserves. Meanwhile, the jump scares are too few and far between, half of them relying on cliché fake-outs that lack originality.

The dialogue slows the pacing even further, leaning too heavily on exposition. It occasionally drifts into generic territory, yet it is redeemed by the intimate conversation between the two paranormal investigators at its core.

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga continue to deliver strong lead performances as the married couple Ed plus Lorraine Warren, remaining the picture's most compelling focal point. Their chemistry feels genuinely lived-in. Ed’s health issues shift Lorraine into the primary investigative role, allowing the filmmakers to explore her abilities in ways not previously seen.

Ruari O’Connor gives a likeable rendition as Arne Cheyenne Johnson, the real historical figure the plot revolves around. Sarah Catherine Hook, as Debbie Glatzel, Arne’s girlfriend, is another solid addition to the cast, selling her moments with O’Connor, as well as making their relationship feel relatable. Regrettably, neither of them gets the attention they deserve.

When it comes to the villain, this sequel finally presents a physical evil pulling the strings. That said, Isla the witch receives too little screen time to properly flesh out her motivations. Most of her backstory is delivered through an exposition-heavy conversation with her father, played by a criminally underused John Noble, during the final act.

Cinematographically, it is a technical marvel, incorporating dynamic camera movements plus effective execution, especially in the tunnel sequence, which not only generates a claustrophobic atmosphere but also includes a stylistic callback to The Shining. At the same time, the opening scene frames a specific moment to pay visual homage to The Exorcist. The interplay of light and shadow is well-used to heighten the frights. Unfortunately, it has an overpolished look that gives the final product a somewhat synthetic feel.

The practical, body-contortion scenes were reportedly done largely for real, according to the director. The practical effects, like the bathtub moment, create a sickening sensation. The computer-generated imagery is mostly solid, looking high-budgeted; sadly, some blatantly artificial green-screen shots, such as the cliff sequence, break immersion.

The sound design includes the clichéd loud-noise scare, which is unnecessary. The score, on the other hand, uses restraint to help build the tension effectively.

---

Verdict: I wasn’t keen on this third chapter in the Warren segment of the franchise, but it did manage to subvert my expectations. The change in tone, shifting from a “haunted house” piece to a supernatural police procedural, gives the instalment enough distinctiveness. The moments of heartfelt emotions do land when they hit. Nonetheless, Wan’s absence is clearly noticeable. The story is unstable, due to the many subplots it tries to cram in, with the episodic structure not doing it any favours. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga continue to be a steady strength for the series, maintaining their natural chemistry, delivering believable performances as the married demonologists. The villain, on the other hand, is underused. The camera captures terrifying elements well, but unfortunately, unneeded fake jump scares have been implemented in this third flick. The overly polished look hurts the final product. It is entertaining, though not as strong as its predecessors. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It receives a 7.0 out of 10. 

This marks my final review for these movies. I hope you enjoyed it. So what do you think? Do you agree with my review? Which Conjuring movie is your favourite? Leave a comment below & thank you for reading.