The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) closes out one of horror’s most successful sagas. With Michael Chaves in the director’s chair and Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga returning as Ed and Lorraine Warren, this final chapter attempts to wrap up years of supernatural terror with an emotional farewell.

The Narrative Journey

Set in 1986, the Warrens are almost retired, giving lectures rather than chasing demons, until the Smurl family comes knocking with a desperate plea. Their home is plagued by violent disturbances that soon prove to be connected to the darkest cases of the Warrens’ past. The script blends family drama with spiritual warfare, asking what kind of price people pay when confronting pure evil.

How the Cast Delivers

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga remain the soul of the story. Their chemistry and weighty performances anchor the film, making the scares feel personal. Mia Tomlinson, playing their daughter Judy, brings a fresh energy, exploring the burden of being raised in a family forever shadowed by the supernatural. Supporting roles from Ben Hardy and others round out the film without distracting from the core trio.

Atmosphere and Craft

Visually, the movie leans into heavy shadows, claustrophobic hallways, and lingering silence before sudden shocks. The cinematography avoids glossiness, instead doubling down on dread. The score pulses beneath the story, reminding viewers of the inevitable clash between light and darkness. Chaves aims for mood over gore, echoing the original Conjuring’s strengths.

Where It Shines and Where It Slips

What works:

• The emotional weight carried by Wilson and Farmiga’s performances.
• The way past lore is tied together, giving fans a sense of closure.
• Effective use of atmosphere that builds unease before the jump scares.

What doesn’t land as well:

• The midsection slows down, testing the patience of viewers who want constant tension.
• Some horror tropes feel recycled from earlier films in the series.
• A few narrative shortcuts weaken the otherwise tight storytelling.

Closing Thoughts

The Conjuring: Last Rites may not reinvent horror, but it succeeds as an emotional goodbye. It’s a film that mixes scares with sincerity, ensuring that longtime fans of the Warrens get a conclusion that feels earned. As the credits roll, it’s less about one last exorcism and more about the legacy the characters leave behind.

Rating: ⭐ 6.4/10