Charles Salom | Contributing Writer
The Conjuring series has been a horror staple since its inception with 2013’s “The Conjuring.” Since then, multiple spin-offs and an expanded horror universe have been successfully launched, leading to one of the highest-grossing horror franchises of all time.
While financially successful, I question the quality of many of these “based on a true story” horror films.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” once again reunites us with paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, set in the early 1980s.
Ed and Lorraine have slowed down on taking cases and are being scrutinized by the public for their past investigations. But the Warrens jump back into action for one final investigation after learning of a high-profile haunting involving an antique mirror.
The Warrens, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga respectively, are the heart and soul of this franchise. Their chemistry as an on-screen married couple is heartwarming, and the film is an effective send-off for their characters. But outside of the earnest moments of a husband and wife growing old, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth.
In a franchise full of cliches like a demonic doll and evil nuns, “Last Rites” gives us a haunted mirror with a backstory so generic that ChatGPT would be horrified by its lack of creativity.
The threat is barely personified, so any fear or tension that could be built up results in a stock horror story.
The scares are repetitively constructed jump-scare sequences, where the camera slowly zooms and ominous music plays, as if the film is trying to yell at you, “Here comes the scary part.”
The tension of the horror film comes from the unknown or lack of knowledge of a threat or a deep sense of care for the protagonist. Here, “Last Rites” conjures up neither, as the Smurl family, who are affected by these paranormal circumstances, is a background stand-in to the primary Ed and Lorraine story that barely has stakes in itself.
Director Michael Chaves lacks a unique visual style that has followed him throughout his career.
Directing two previous Conjuring projects, including “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” and “The Nun 2,” his inability to do anything creative with the camera other than telegraph scares has held back this franchise even beyond its poor writing.
The one addition worthwhile that Chaves adds to the franchise is the gore elements that can somewhat excite a viewer, but with the lack of tension, the blood spilling out becomes a disposable visual element with no staying power.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” desires to be a terrifying sendoff to a franchise that has scared audiences for more than a decade.
In reality, it goes out with a whimper, reminding us that the last film in the Conjuring universe that was any good was “The Conjuring 2” in 2016.
4/10
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