Michael Chaves returns to the Conjuring Universe with The Conjuring: Last Rites, which brings us Ed and Lorraine Warren’s last outing in the movies that have been going since 2013 and have produced several spin-offs over the years.
This new movie takes us back to 1961 with a young Ed and Lorraine as they go on their first case, but it’s cut short after Lorraine goes into labour with her baby. We are then given a nicely done montage of Judy growing up over the years, before heading to 1986 and an introduction to the Smurl family, who are being haunted by something that is pure evil.
The Conjuring: Last Rites has a very familiar feel to it, and it does feel more like the first film from 2013 as it keeps to the formula that has worked over the three Conjuring films. As with the previous films, this one doesn’t really play on those jump scares, although some moments do give you shivers and make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Things that you can just make out in the darkness and the sudden appearance of something when you least expect it, all these moments are nicely directed by Chaves, and they work.
The sound mix for The Conjuring: Last Rites in IMAX certainly adds to the tension and the fear, with it being so silent at some points, you could hear a pin drop before an extremely loud bang or a whisper that you can hear somewhere in the cinema. Having a good sound system certainly brings films like this to life, and it’s something that makes scenes work more than just looking at them.
There are several moments where the screen opens up to the IMAX Expanded Aspect Ratio, although I have to admit that at first I didn’t notice, as the scenes are dark, but there is a particular scene with Annebelle that takes hold of you as the screen hits the 1:90.1 ratio and has you on the edge of your seat.
It’s great to see Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson back on the big screen as Lorraine and Ed Warren, the pair have always seemed to have chemistry on the screen when they come to play the characters, and Last Rites is no exception. Bringing in the daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson), is a nice touch, and it’s great to see the character being more of the story than in previous movies, which adds to the feel that this film shows the power that the family have together.
The Conjuring: Last Rites in IMAX isn’t going to scare everyone, but I did see a few people jump during the screening I went to, and some people were saying, “no, no” during some spooky scenes. If you are a fan of the Conjuring Universe, then this final chapter in the Warren’s story is well worth checking out. Look out for cast from the previous films as well, which is a nice touch to end the films.
Does The Conjuring: Last Rites Have a Post-Credits Scene?
Yes, The Conjuring: Last Rites does have an end scene, but it’s not so much a scene as it is an informational sequence. I won’t spoil it for you, but it’s an interesting moment at the end of the credits.