The fourth and final installment of the famous horror franchise “The Conjuring”, titled “The Conjuring: The Last Rites”, is scheduled for release on September 5th. Horror fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting this film, especially as it marks the official conclusion of one of the most successful horror series of the past decade.
The new film is based on the real-life “Smurl case” from 1986, where an American family faced terrifying demonic events that lasted for ten years. In this installment, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on the case, only to discover that what they are facing this time goes beyond their previous experiences. They encounter an unprecedented demonic force that specifically targets Lorraine, leading to horrifying events within their own home.
The official trailer, which has garnered over 26 million views, revealed the film’s intense and terrifying atmosphere. It also hinted at the reason for this being the series’ final installment: the “Smurl case” was, in fact, the last one Ed and Lorraine truly pursued before their retirement.
As the concluding chapter of the franchise, the filmmakers were keen to deliver a high dose of suspense and horror. They also included a special tribute to the legendary horror film “The Exorcist” (1973), by reviving the famous “spider-walk” scene and channeling the film’s atmosphere in the final half-hour, all while enhanced with modern visual and technical elements.
The film stars Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, and Mia Tomlinson, and is directed by Michael Chaves, who also helmed “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It”, as well as “The Curse of La Llorona” and “The Nun 2”. The acclaimed director of the first two installments, James Wan, is involved only as a writer and producer this time.
The first film in the series, released in 2013, grossed nearly $320 million worldwide, while the second part in 2016 surpassed $322 million globally. The third film, released in 2021, collected $206 million but did not receive the same critical acclaim as its predecessors.
Thanks to the huge success of the first two films, several spin-offs were launched within the same cinematic universe. The most notable are “The Nun” (2018) and its sequel (2023), in addition to “Annabelle Comes Home” (2019), making “The Conjuring” one of the most successful and influential horror franchises in modern cinema.
