The Conjuring: Last Rites will have an epic ending

The Conjuring: Last Rites, directed by Michael Chaves will be the last film in the saga. The story reopens the discussion about the attraction that human beings feel for what they do not understand and the limits of real fear. In a year full of excellent horror movies, this narrative tries to provide a satisfying ending to the adventures of Ed and Lorraine Warren, although it allows the possibility of new explorations of their enigmatic world.

In this fourth installment, Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) return after a long time of absence. After what happened in the previous film, where Ed had a heart attack, the couple chose to distance themselves from paranormal phenomena to focus on their family and talk about what came after death.

A novel part of this installment is the inclusion of Judy Warren, the daughter of the main characters, as an important adult character. Now played by Mia Tomlinson, Judy offers a fresh look at what it means to grow up surrounded by cursed objects and supernatural memories. His point of view reveals different aspects of the saga, investigating the emotional impact of growing up in such an environment.

Producer Peter Safran, who is in charge of the series, emphasizes the essential of linking with true stories. This movie of the franchise deals with a situation that is part of popular culture and that is well registered on the Internet. The film reviews the sad and chilling aspects of a remarkable case, which viewers will be able to examine after enjoying it.

The real case

The Conjuring: Last Rites is based on the true story of the Smurl family haunting, a notorious case investigated by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in the 1980s.

From strange sounds to dark figures, physical attacks and alleged abuse of spirits, the affair stood out for its strength and for having spread over more than ten years.

In 1973, Jack and Janet Smurl, along with their children, moved into a duplex in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. Shortly after moving in, they began experiencing a series of disturbing events, including loud noises, strange odors, and physical disturbances. The situation escalated to the point where the family claimed that a demonic presence was terrorizing them. Reports included incidents such as their dog being thrown against a wall, a mattress being violently shaken, and even physical assaults on family members.

In 1986, after enduring years of torment, the Smurls reached out to Ed and Lorraine Warren for help. The Warrens investigated the home and reported encountering multiple spirits, including a malevolent demon. They documented various paranormal activities, such as knocking sounds and messages appearing on mirrors, which they interpreted as warnings to leave the house. Despite their efforts, including an exorcism performed by a local pastor, the Smurls continued to experience disturbances, leading them to eventually move out of the house.

Their investigation involved various methods, including playing religious music and conducting prayers, which they claimed temporarily alleviated the haunting. In contrast, in the Amityville case, the Warrens focused on the malevolent spirit of a deceased individual, and their approach was more about confronting the specific entity rather than addressing multiple presence.

The case faced skepticism from some quarters, with critics questioning the validity of the claims and the lack of empirical evidence. This skepticism was also present in other cases, but the Smurl case was particularly scrutinized due to the extreme nature of the allegations, including sexual assault, which drew both media and public attention

The Smurl family's haunting has been a subject of fascination and has inspired various adaptations, including a 1991 made-for-TV movie titled The Haunted, which dramatized their experiences. This case has been referenced frequently within the horror community and is considered one of the more prominent stories associated with the Warrens, who are well-known for their involvement in high-profile paranormal investigations.