The Conjuring: Last Rites, set to premiere on September 5, 2025, marks the final chapter in the mainline Conjuring series, concluding the saga of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Directed by Michael Chaves and produced by James Wan and Peter Safran, this ninth installment of The Conjuring Universe promises to deliver a chilling finale rooted in the real-life Smurl family haunting of the 1980s. With a runtime of 135 minutes, the film combines supernatural horror, emotional depth, and a return to the franchise’s classic haunted house roots. This analysis delves into the film’s content, cast, and potential plot twists, drawing on available information from web sources and promotional materials.
Content: A Return to Classic Haunted House Horror
The Conjuring: Last Rites centers on the Smurl family haunting in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, during the 1970s and 1980s, one of the most controversial cases investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Smurl family reported terrifying phenomena, including foul odors, disembodied voices, shadowy figures, and violent physical attacks, attributed to four spirits, including a demonic entity. The Warrens described this case as one of their most disturbing, and the film adapts this real-life account into a dramatized narrative that emphasizes faith, family, and sacrifice.
The film returns to the franchise’s signature haunted house aesthetic, moving away from the thriller-like, supernatural serial killer elements of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021). Director Michael Chaves has emphasized a “back-to-basics” approach, focusing on the relatability of a working-class family with limited resources, mirroring the Warrens’ role as protectors of those with nowhere else to turn. This focus on emotional stakes and atmospheric dread, rather than gore or excessive jump scares, aligns with the franchise’s strengths, as seen in the original 2013 film. The story explores themes of faith versus evil, the lengths one goes to protect loved ones, and the personal costs of confronting darkness.
The screenplay, penned by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, with a story co-authored by Johnson-McGoldrick and James Wan, is designed to be both terrifying and emotionally resonant. Chaves has cited Logan (2017) as an inspiration, aiming for a focused, intimate narrative that prioritizes the Warrens’ relationship and their legacy over a spectacle of demons. The film’s teaser trailers, released in April and later in 2025, feature haunting voice-overs and shadowy visuals, hinting at a grim case that may hit closer to home for the Warrens than previous investigations. The title, Last Rites, suggests a spiritual and narrative conclusion, potentially tying the story to themes of mortality and closure.
Cast: A Blend of Returning Stars and New Faces
The cast of The Conjuring: Last Rites combines franchise staples with fresh talent, bringing depth to both the Warrens’ story and the Smurl family’s ordeal. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their iconic roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren, the demonologist and clairvoyant whose on-screen chemistry has been the emotional backbone of the series. Their performances, described by Chaves as some of their best, are expected to deliver heartfelt moments that underscore the couple’s love, faith, and courage. The bittersweet nature of their final bow adds emotional weight, with behind-the-scenes accounts noting the actors’ poignant farewells to their roles.
Mia Tomlinson plays Judy Warren, the Warrens’ daughter, now grown and stepping into the paranormal world, while Ben Hardy portrays Tony Spera, Judy’s boyfriend and future son-in-law. Their inclusion suggests a passing of the torch to the next generation, a theme reinforced by cameo appearances from the real-life Judy Warren and Tony Spera. The Smurl family is brought to life by Rebecca Calder as Janet Smurl, the tormented mother, and Elliot Cowan as Jack Smurl, the skeptical father. Their daughters are portrayed by Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, Tilly Walker, and Molly Cartwright, adding a youthful perspective to the haunting. Steve Coulter returns as Father Gordon, a recurring figure in the franchise, providing spiritual guidance. Additional cast members include John Brotherton and Shannon Kook, though their roles remain unspecified.
The ensemble is expected to deliver authentic performances, with the cast undergoing rigorous preparation to portray their real-life counterparts. Chaves consulted paranormal experts and original case files to ensure authenticity, enhancing the actors’ ability to convey the fear and desperation of the Smurl haunting. The inclusion of younger characters like Judy and Tony may introduce new dynamics, potentially exploring how the Warrens’ work impacts their family.
Plot Twists: Speculation and Expectations
While specific plot details remain closely guarded, promotional materials and interviews offer clues about potential twists in The Conjuring: Last Rites. The Smurl haunting’s real-life complexity—marked by skepticism from media and clergy—suggests the film may incorporate a twist questioning the nature of the haunting. Unlike previous Conjuring films, which often revealed a clear demonic antagonist (e.g., Bathsheba in The Conjuring or Valak in The Conjuring 2), Last Rites may blur the line between supernatural and psychological horror, reflecting the real case’s ambiguity. This could manifest as a twist where the Warrens or the Smurls doubt the haunting’s authenticity, only to face undeniable evidence of a malevolent force.
Another potential twist involves the personal stakes for the Warrens. The teaser trailer’s voice-over, “This will be our last case,” and its connection to their first case, as noted in promotional materials, suggests a narrative bookend. A twist could reveal that the Smurl haunting is linked to an earlier investigation, possibly involving a recurring entity like Annabelle or Valak, though Chaves has dismissed including a “bunch of demons” to keep the story intimate. Alternatively, the film may explore Ed Warren’s declining health—historically, he faced heart issues in the 1980s—potentially culminating in a sacrificial act to protect Lorraine or the Smurls. This would align with the Logan-inspired focus on emotional closure.
The involvement of Judy Warren and Tony Spera hints at a twist where the younger generation takes on a larger role, perhaps confronting the entity themselves or revealing hidden knowledge about the Warrens’ work. The real-life Smurl case included claims of a demonic entity with a personal vendetta, which could translate into a twist where the demon targets the Warrens specifically, exploiting their fears or past traumas. The trailer’s emphasis on a “terrifying and emotional” opening scene, as pitched by Chaves, suggests a shocking event early in the film—possibly a violent attack or a supernatural manifestation—that sets the stakes for the Warrens’ final battle.
Review and Expectations
Early reactions to The Conjuring: Last Rites are promising, with the teaser trailer generating buzz for its bleak tone and suspenseful atmosphere. Critics and fans anticipate a film that balances scares with emotional depth, potentially surpassing The Devil Made Me Do It, which received mixed reviews for its glossier style. Chaves’ promise of a return to classic Conjuring horror, combined with Benjamin Wallfisch’s evocative score, raises expectations for a chilling yet heartfelt finale. The film’s focus on the Smurl family’s working-class struggles and the Warrens’ role as their champions adds relatability, a hallmark of the franchise’s success.
However, some fans express concern over Chaves’ directorial style, which some felt lacked the grounded terror of James Wan’s earlier entries. The challenge lies in delivering a satisfying conclusion to a franchise that has grossed over $2 billion and redefined modern horror. If Last Rites maintains the series’ blend of existential fear, emotional stakes, and atmospheric tension, it could stand as one of the strongest entries. The inclusion of real-life elements, like the Smurl case’s controversy, adds intrigue, allowing viewers to ponder the line between belief and skepticism.
Conclusion
The Conjuring: Last Rites is poised to be a fitting end to the Warrens’ cinematic journey, blending supernatural horror with the emotional weight of a decade-long saga. Its focus on the Smurl family haunting, a real-life case steeped in terror and debate, offers a rich foundation for a story about faith, family, and sacrifice. The returning cast, led by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, alongside new faces like Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy, promises authentic and heartfelt performances. Potential plot twists, from a personal vendetta by a demonic entity to a connection with the Warrens’ past, add layers of suspense. As the final mainline installment, Last Rites carries the weight of concluding a horror powerhouse while paving the way for future spin-offs, including a planned Max streaming series. Set to haunt theaters on September 5, 2025, this film aims to leave audiences both terrified and moved, cementing the Warrens’ legacy in horror history.
