Introduction
Horror cinema thrives on atmosphere, dread, and the primal fear of the unknown. Few franchises have harnessed these elements as effectively as The Conjuring. With The Conjuring 4: The Last Rites (2025), director Michael Chaves (returning after The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) closes the curtain on the Warrens’ terrifying journey. This final installment feels both like an exorcism of evil and a requiem for one of modern horror’s most influential sagas.
Plot and Setting
The story ventures into Eastern Europe, where an abbey steeped in mystery becomes the epicenter of unspeakable horror. Priests are dying under inexplicable circumstances, and a cursed doll—eerily familiar to franchise veterans—resurfaces. Ed and Lorraine Warren, once again portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, are called to confront a demon that threatens not just one life, but the very foundations of the Church.
Performances
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga remain the beating heart of this franchise. Their chemistry and emotional resonance elevate the narrative beyond its supernatural trappings. Wilson embodies Ed’s stoic bravery with a touch of fragility, while Farmiga infuses Lorraine with a haunting blend of compassion and anguish. Together, they humanize the terror, reminding us that faith and love can coexist with fear.
Direction and Atmosphere
The film’s visual language leans heavily on gothic dread—towering abbeys, candlelit corridors, and shadows that stretch unnaturally long. Chaves employs deliberate pacing, allowing tension to coil until it snaps with bone-chilling force. While jump scares exist, the film’s greatest strength lies in its sustained unease and suffocating atmosphere.
The Demon at the Core
The new entity unveiled in The Last Rites may well be the franchise’s most terrifying creation. Its design evokes centuries of buried sin and blasphemy, tapping into archetypal fears of corruption within sacred spaces. Unlike some horror villains, this demon is less a caricature and more a manifestation of evil itself—inescapable and unrelenting.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Strengths: Superb performances by Wilson and Farmiga, a return to gothic horror roots, and a finale that feels both intimate and grand in scope.
- Weaknesses: Some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, and certain subplots veer into predictable territory. Longtime fans may recognize familiar beats recycled from earlier films.
Conclusion
The Conjuring 4: The Last Rites is a chilling, emotionally resonant farewell to the Warrens. While not flawless, it encapsulates what has made the series endure: human vulnerability clashing with the incomprehensible darkness that lurks beyond. For those who have followed Ed and Lorraine since 2013, this final chapter is both a haunting and fitting benediction. One thing is certain—this is not a film to be watched alone.
