After more than a decade defining modern supernatural horror, The Conjuring Universe closes its chapter with The Conjuring: Last Rites. Directed by Michael Chaves, the film trades relentless terror for emotional resonance, opting for sentiment over sustained frights.
Set in 1986, a retired Ed and Lorraine Warren face one final haunting—this time entwined with their daughter Judy. Central to the plot is a cursed mirror from their early investigations, resurrecting old horrors. While the setup promises eerie tension, the film leans heavily into emotional closure, featuring nostalgic cameos from past installments and delivering a heartfelt farewell to its iconic duo.
Visually and atmospherically strong, the film evokes the 1980s with period-appropriate aesthetics, subtle jump scares, and a moody, immersive score. Yet, its pacing often saps momentum. The haunting elements remain fixed in familiar territory, without breakneck innovation or edge-of-your-seat dread.
Where Last Rites truly lands is in its final moments. The post-credits sequence, featuring archival footage of the real Ed and Lorraine Warren, reframes the saga with powerful authenticity. This tribute anchors the fictional narrative in real history, closing the book with a poignant emotional beat rather than theatrical shock.
Overall, The Conjuring: Last Rites may feel light on scares, but it delivers as an affectionate farewell to characters and stories that have become staples in horror cinema. It’s not the most chilling entry in the franchise, but as a finale, it’s a touching send-off that honors the Warrens’ legacy with fondness and finality—earning it a 3 out of 5 stars for balancing nostalgia with supernatural suspense.
