“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is the end of a well known series of horror movies. It first appeared in theatres on Friday, Sept. 5. It was directed by Michael Chaves and produced by James Wan and Peter Safran. This film is based on a supposed true story- the demonic haunting of the Smurl Family in Pennsylvania. This long awaited film featured the well-known characters Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), the iconic duo well known for battling demonic entities, for their unrelenting love for family, and for fighting for common good.
In this film they fight a demonic entity who torments an innocent family, an entity which Lorraine and Ed had faced previously before the birth of their only daughter Judy. This film takes place in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. The film follows one of the main characters, Judy (Mia Tomlinson), as she encounters visions from the mirror in which the evil entity is trapped. She tries to help her parents solve the mystery of whether or not they can end the torment of the Smurl family and close a chapter which they opened long before the series had even begun.
The other half of the story is told from the perspective of the Smurl family. They encounter a particular evil entity time and time again. First they endure seemingly harmless experiences, such as nightmares or supernatural sightings. Over time, the entity becomes violent, forcing the Smurls to ask the church for help. This enrages the spirit, putting a quick edge to the clock working against Ed, Lorraine, Judy, and the newest addition to the family, Tony Spera, Judy’s fiancé and soon to be husband.
Overall the movie gave the feel of a true Conjuring movie. It featured broad music spectrums, from intense to heartfelt music that really painted the contrast in everyday life following the work of Ed and Lorraine Warren. This movie featured well used colors that elevated the emotions conveyed. Gray dark colors help convey feelings of dread and hopelessness similar to when the characters enter a trance like state by the entity in the mirror. On the other hand bright colors offer a sense of childlike wonder and bliss where anything is possible and knowledge that such terrible, supernatural things even exist is uncanny.
Fiona Lian, a senior at Mark Keppel, said, “I think the movie was okay. I prefer the other Conjuring movies. It wasn’t that scary to me.”
Eka Sonksen, a junior at Mark Keppel, also shared, “The Conjuring movie was really interesting and scary. I especially enjoyed the visual themes and the settings. However, I felt the foreshadowing was a bit too predictable for a film like this. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.”
Overall, this film is an emotional and bittersweet experience. With the end of an iconic era, a new one blossoms. Above all, Judy and her eternal love for Tony mirrors the love and connection that allowed her parents to fight evil and win against evil time and time again.
