The Conjuring Last Rites Review

 

If you’ve been following my blog (and if you haven’t, shame on you and your haunted house), you already know I have a soft spot for horror films—especially the ones that claim to be “based on true events.” Give me a cursed mirror, a possessed child, and a priest who’s clearly in over his head, and I’m all in. So when I heard that Ed and Lorraine Warren were back for one last ghost-hunting hurrah in The Conjuring: Last Rites, I grabbed my popcorn, my emotional support crucifix, and settled in.

Let’s start with the power couple of paranormal investigation: Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return as Ed and Lorraine Warren, still serving up that spooky marital chemistry like it’s their side hustle. Honestly, if ghostbusting doesn’t work out, they could pivot to couples therapy—because the way they communicate while dodging flying glass shards is aspirational.

This time, the haunting centers around the Smurl family, who are being tormented by a demon with a flair for dramatic entrances. Think cursed mirror, Catholic confirmation gone wrong, and a kitchen sink scene that had the entire theater gasping. Beau Gadsdon plays Dawn Smurl, and let me tell you—when she starts puking up glass, you know it’s not going to be a lighthearted romp through the suburbs.

But the real twist? The Warrens’ daughter Judy, played by Mia Tomlinson, finally gets her moment. She’s grown up, clairvoyant, and not here for your “stay out of the demon business” advice. Judy’s fiancé Tony Spera (Ben Hardy) tags along, and while he’s not exactly exorcism-ready, he brings a sweet awkwardness that balances the chaos. Judy’s arc gives the film its emotional core, and her scenes with Lorraine are some of the most grounded moments in a movie otherwise filled with shrieking spirits and holy water showers.

Director Michael Chaves (yes, the same guy behind The Devil Made Me Do It) keeps the tension tight and the jump scares frequent. There’s one scene—no spoilers—that had everyone in the theater clutching their armrests. It’s the kind of scare that doesn’t just make you jump—it makes you question your life choices, like watching this movie alone at night.

What I appreciated most was how the film wove the Warrens’ family life into the horror. It wasn’t just about battling demons—it was about legacy, faith, and letting go. The scares were solid, but the emotional beats hit just as hard. And while the franchise may be wrapping up (allegedly), this felt like a fitting sendoff. Not perfect, but satisfying. Like the last slice of cake at a haunted birthday party.

So if you’re into horror with heart, ghosts with grudges, and a family that fights evil together, this one’s worth the watch. Just maybe don’t look in any mirrors afterward. Especially if they were gifted to you. By anyone. Ever. 

I give the film 5 out of 5 acorns.