The Wasteland Reviewer

The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) Written Review

Is it time for the cinematic escapades of Ed and Lorraine Warren to come to an end? James Wan to the lives of now renowned charlatans and turned their work into one of the most successful and terrifying horror franchises of all time. The Conjuring brought the supernatural horror film back to the forefront of pop culture. This shared universe has created so many iconic horror entities that haunt the dreams of countless audience members around the world. Valek (the Nun). Annabelle. The Crooked Man. The Ferryman. So many horrific beings to go around. But the time has come to close this twisted tale with Michael Chaves’ The Conjuring: Last Rites. 

Does Chaves capture the magic of Wan’s early editions? Chaves has directed in this franchise before…but unfortunately, those were some of the weakest entries. But one shining light was that some of those scares that Chaves crafted were terrifying. The jump scare is a big part of the toolbox for this franchise and Chaves does a fine job delivering some uncomfortable and haunting ones at that. There are a few inspired set-ups that open the door to some impressive scares that will certainly shake you. There are plenty of horror cliches along the way and some of them are glaring but Chaves does not skimp on the scares in this 145-minute film. The most satisfying element is the rich emotional layers injected. Chaves surprises with the rich emotional depth of the Warrens’ journey in this film. This is an ode to this franchise and a love letter to the characters Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga created. There are plenty of fan service moments that give the film that emotional touch. The music is a great addition to the atmosphere as well with Benjamin Wallfisch giving the film extra layers of emotion and fright. Top notch make-up works as always too in this franchise (along with the great wardrobe and costumes). 

Does Last Rites deliver a worthy story to wrap up the Warrens’ career? This is a deeply personal journey and gives this finale a deeper feeling and unique feel. The opening sequence takes the Warrens and the audience back to the day their daughter was born. Terrifying, emotionally exhausting, and moving, this sets the tone for the rest of the film and sets up a villainous mirror that will dominate the experience of many of the characters. The family that is haunted (the Smurls) is not the most fleshed out in the franchise and this aspect leaves a decent amount to be desired. There are plenty of strong scares inflicted on this family, but the actual characters are quite one dimensional. The Warrens are placed in an interesting place where their career is waning, and Ed’s health is failing. But they have their now grown daughter to care for (Mia Tomlinson’s Judy) and her boyfriend. Judy’s personal struggle with her “gift” brings plenty of emotional and drama weight to the film which helps offset a lack of connection to the Smurl family. The film centers on the Warren family and delivers a deeply personal and moving story as Judy struggles with her gift and this haunted mirror comes for her. This is a fun, engaging, and unnerving web of trauma and fright. 

How does the cast pull this last ride together? Farmiga has always been the MVP of this franchise with her impressive presence and the depth of emotion she brings to Lorraine. Last Rites is no different this time around and she delivers plenty of deeply moving moments. Wilson is charming with a tougher facade and a good sense of humor. He goes total “dad mode” in this film and it works perfectly for the stage in life the Warrens are in. Tomlinson delivers a nice mix of charm and pain as Judy struggles throughout this horrible experience. Ben Hardy brings plenty of personality to the role of Ruby’s love who has a few moments to stand out. Even if the characters themselves lack the needed layers to stand out, the cast members who portray the Smurl family do a fine job of building some much needed empathy.

Is The Conjuring: Last Rites a worthy experience to wrap up the cinematic journey of Ed and Lorraine? The ending text of the film might be in bad taste as the real Warrens did a lot of horrible things but if you take a step back and look just at the fictional Warrens of The Conjuring, Last Rites delivers. There is nostalgia, fan service, and good old-fashioned feel-good finale elements. Farmiga and Wilson continue to anchor this whole franchise as they continue the journey of the first couple of horror films. Good scares. Plenty of emotion. A moving tribute. Last Rites sticks the landing with a good effort.