At 3:22 PM +07 on Friday, August 1, 2025, anticipation is building to a fever pitch as Warner Bros. ramps up marketing for The Conjuring: Last Rites, the ninth installment and purported final chapter of the iconic Conjuring franchise. Set to premiere exclusively in theaters on September 5, 2025, this supernatural horror film promises to deliver a spine-chilling conclusion to the saga of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Centered around a haunting tale that has captivated audiences for over a decade, the movie’s narrative and its status as the series’ endpoint have sparked intense speculation and excitement, marking the end of an era for one of horror’s most successful franchises.
A Haunting Farewell on the Horizon
The announcement of The Conjuring: Last Rites as the franchise’s finale came with a striking tagline: “The End is Near,” accompanied by the hashtag #TheConjuringLastRites, which has already garnered over 12 million views on social media platforms like X by early August. The film, directed by Michael Chaves and produced by James Wan and Peter Safran, is scheduled to hit theaters just in time for the fall horror season, a strategic move following the franchise’s tradition of summer releases for its first three entries. This shift to September aligns with the success of spin-offs like The Nun, suggesting a calculated effort to maximize its impact as a cinematic swan song.
Filming concluded in late 2024, with the first trailer dropping in May 2025, teasing a narrative that promises to be the darkest yet. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return as Ed and Lorraine Warren, the real-life paranormal duo whose cases have inspired the series since 2013’s The Conjuring. The trailer’s ominous tone, featuring shadowy entities and the Warrens’ reluctant return from retirement, has set the stage for a climactic showdown, with the film’s marketing emphasizing its status as the last mainline entry in the Conjuring Universe.
The Storyline: The Smurl Family Haunting
The Conjuring: Last Rites centers on the Smurl family haunting, a notorious case from 1986 that the Warrens investigated in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. The plot follows Ed and Lorraine, now contemplating retirement after decades of battling supernatural forces, as they are drawn back into action by a desperate plea from the Smurl family. Janet and Jack Smurl, portrayed by Rebecca Calder and Elliot Cowan, report a home invaded by four spirits, including a violent demon, marked by chilling events such as objects moving, foul odors, and physical assaults—claims that gained national attention in the 1980s. The film introduces their grown daughter, Judy Warren, played by Mia Tomlinson, alongside her boyfriend Tony, enacted by Ben Hardy, adding a personal dimension to the investigation.
The narrative unfolds five years after the events of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), with Ed recovering from a heart attack and the couple scaling back their work. The Smurl case, one of the Warrens’ most controversial investigations, serves as a fitting capstone, blending real-life elements with dramatic embellishments. Reports suggest the film will depict the Warrens confronting these entities in a final, emotionally charged battle, with Judy’s inherited psychic sensitivity—echoing her mother’s clairvoyance—playing a pivotal role. This focus on family dynamics, a recurring theme in the series, aims to provide a heartfelt closure, contrasting with the franchise’s earlier emphasis on jump scares and demonic spectacles.
Why This Marks the End
The decision to designate Last Rites as the finale stems from multiple factors, both creative and practical. Patrick Wilson has publicly stated his desire to move on, telling Entertainment Weekly in 2022, “I didn’t want to be on death’s door for the final movie—Ed lived until 2006, so retirement felt right.” Vera Farmiga echoed this sentiment, noting the challenge of escalating fear in each installment, suggesting a natural endpoint. Director Michael Chaves reinforced this in a 2023 SlashFilm interview, describing the film as a “finale” to the Warrens’ arc, a sentiment later clarified by New Line Cinema president Richard Brener in April 2025 as the close of the franchise’s “Phase One.”
The series’ longevity—spanning over a decade since 2013—has seen diminishing returns in critical reception, with The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It receiving mixed reviews compared to the acclaim of the first two films. Fans and analysts argue that concluding the main series preserves its legacy, avoiding the risk of quality decline seen in some spin-offs like The Curse of La Llorona. The introduction of adult Judy and the Smurl case offers a narrative full circle, tying back to the Warrens’ early days and their personal stakes, making it a logical stopping point. Moreover, the franchise’s $2.2 billion global gross provides a strong financial foundation to pivot to new projects, with a Max streaming series and potential spin-offs like The Crooked Man in development for a “Phase Two.”
Production Insights and Cinematic Ambition
Filming took place primarily in Ireland, a shift from Romania’s gothic settings, with locations like the Wicklow Mountains enhancing the film’s eerie atmosphere. The production, wrapped by September 2024, utilized a $30 million budget, modest for a franchise giant, reflecting a focus on character-driven horror over CGI-heavy spectacles. Chaves, who also directed The Devil Made Me Do It and The Nun II, aimed for a personal story, abandoning initial ideas of an epic demon showdown in favor of emotional resonance, as he told Empire in 2021.
The cast includes returning stars Wilson and Farmiga, whose chemistry has been a franchise cornerstone, alongside newcomers Hardy and Tomlinson. The script, penned by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick with contributions from Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing, draws on the Smurl haunting’s documented details—poltergeist activity and alleged demonic possession—while adding fictional flourishes. The September 5 release, avoiding Halloween competition, leverages the franchise’s late-summer success, with The Nun and its sequel performing strongly on similar weekends.
Public Reaction and Cultural Impact
Social media is alight with #TheConjuringLastRites, with fans expressing a mix of excitement and nostalgia. One X post, “The end of an era—can’t wait for one last scare with Ed and Lorraine,” has garnered 5 million likes. Others debate the finale’s necessity, with some arguing, “Why end it when the spin-offs keep going?” The trailer’s release, featuring haunting visuals of the Smurl home and Judy’s psychic visions, has boosted hype, with 8 million YouTube views in its first week. Critics, however, caution against overhyping, noting the series’ mixed recent reception, though the promise of a personal conclusion has tempered skepticism.
The cultural impact is significant, with the Conjuring Universe grossing over $2 billion, making it the highest-grossing horror franchise. Last Rites could solidify this legacy, with merchandise like Warren-inspired artifacts and Judy-themed dolls already in production. The film’s real-life basis, amplified by media coverage of the Smurl case, adds authenticity, though some question the Warrens’ credibility, a debate reignited by the trailer’s tagline, “Discover why this case was their last.”
The Human Impact and Future Prospects
For Wilson and Farmiga, Last Rites is an emotional farewell. Wilson’s reflection on missing Farmiga’s collaboration, shared with EW, underscores their bond, while Farmiga’s portrayal of Lorraine’s maternal fears adds depth. Tomlinson, a horror enthusiast since her teens, finds the role a “360 moment,” and Hardy, new to the genre, brings fresh energy. The crew, including Irish locals, benefits economically, with set visits drawing tourism.
The stakes are high for the franchise’s future. A successful finale could launch the Max series and spin-offs, with The Crooked Man in pre-production. A misstep might stall “Phase Two,” but the Warrens’ exit offers a clean break, preserving their story’s integrity. The September 5 release will be a defining moment, balancing closure with new beginnings.
A Haunting Legacy Concludes
As of August 1, 2025, The Conjuring: Last Rites stands as a poignant end to the Warrens’ cinematic journey. With the Smurl haunting as its core and a focus on family, it promises a chilling yet heartfelt finale, set to captivate audiences when it arrives in theaters on September 5.
