The Conjuring: Last Rites : Review

Story & Setup

The film opens with the Warrens’ daughter, Judy Warren (Mia Tomlinson), engaged to Tony Spera (Ben Hardy), and introduces the troubled Smurl family whose home is haunted by a demonic force tied back to the Warrens’ very first case.

Roger Ebert

+2

Rotten Tomatoes Editorial

+2

The story shifts between the serving of family dynamics, the romantic subplot of Judy, and the paranormal investigation of Ed and Lorraine, culminating in a traditional exorcism-style showdown. In true franchise fashion, there’s a heritage of horror, fear and ritual.

However, several reviewers note that Ed and Lorraine don’t fully engage with the haunted house until well into the film, making the first half more character-drama than horror-thriller.

Roger Ebert

+2

Rotten Tomatoes Editorial

+2

What Works

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson bring emotional weight and familiarity. Critics note they “know the exact register of intensity” and their long-standing onscreen partnership pays off.

Rotten Tomatoes

+1

Mia Tomlinson as Judy is singled out: many feel she shines and could lead future off-shoots of the universe.

Rotten Tomatoes Editorial

The film does deliver a stable, atmospheric set of horror beats for fans of the series. The scaffolding of legacy—family, faith, fear—is intact.

Rotten Tomatoes

+1

Where It Falls Short

The pacing is inconsistent. Several reviewers say the build-up is sluggish and the horror payoff delayed or diluted.

Rotten Tomatoes

+1

The scares are often criticized as formulaic or rehashed; rather than innovating, the film leans on familiar tropes. > “They phoned this one in.”

Reddit

+1

The narrative is said to be overstuffed—too many threads (the Smurls, Judy’s wedding, the Warrens’ legacy) fight for attention without all landing cleanly.

Rotten Tomatoes Editorial

+1

Some fans expected a more definitive, universe-wrapping conclusion; instead the film feels like “another case” rather than the end.

Reddit

+1

Why It Still Matters

Even if Last Rites doesn’t reach the high bar set by the original Conjuring films, it matters because it attempts to bring closure—to the Warrens’ story, to a decade-long horror franchise, to fans invested in its mythology. The emotional layer (the family, the wedding, the legacies) offers something beyond just jump scares. The fact that the core actors and characters are back lends sincerity to the farewell.

For viewers who have followed the series, this film offers a sense of “returning home.” It’s less about reinventing the wheel and more about saying goodbye with familiar chills. The horror may not sting as sharply, but the heart is there.

Final Verdict

★★★☆☆ (3/5)

If you’ve never watched a Conjuring film before, this one might not wow you—its horror mechanics are safe and straightforward. But if you’re a fan of the franchise, the Warrens’ arc, or horror with tied-up threads, it offers a respectable send-off.

Recommended for:

Long-time fans of the Conjuring universe.

Viewers who appreciate a mix of supernatural horror + family drama.

Those seeking emotional weight in their horror, not only big scares.

Less suited for:

Viewers expecting cutting-edge scares or fresh horror-innovation.

Audiences wanting a tight, purely horror thriller without subplots or emotional detours.

Final Thoughts: A Reflection in the Mirror

The Conjuring: Last Rites holds a mirror up to the franchise—reflecting on what came before while hinting at what might follow. It may not rewrite horror history, but it closes a chapter with respect and familiarity. In that sense, it does what a “last rites” should: acknowledge what was, honour it, and lay it to rest.