The Conjuring: Last Rites

Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) (the famous demonologist and clairvoyant lay Catholic team) have been fighting demons and the unnatural for decades at this point. At some point, they feel it is time to settle down and end their career fighting off the forces of the occult, especially after Ed’s very large heart attack. They’d rather spend their time relaxing, watching their daughter continue to grow as she learns to harness her clairvoyant abilities and juggle a relationship with her boyfriend

What about Judy though? As it turns out, Ed hasn’t been the only one with some health scares. When Judy was born, she was delivered stillborn for a full minute. Ed and Lorraine, particularly Lorraine, cried out in agony and prayed passionately for God to save Judy and sure enough she revived. As such, they’ve always been very protective of Judy, especially since she has “gifts” like her mother, something Lorraine hoped she wouldn’t have to manage. These “gifts” though may be just what the Warrens need.

You see, there’s this family in Pennsylvania: Jack Smurl, his wife, Janet Smurl and their four daughters: Dawn, Heather, Carin and Sharron. They are devout Catholics, and it is the day of Heather’s Confirmation Ceremony. It just so happens that Heather’s grandparents came across this very tall antique standing mirror from a yard sale. Apparently the owner was very excited to get rid of it—very strange indeed.

As the mirror sits in Heather’s room, very strange things begin to happen: Heather begins vomiting blood and pieces of glass, the grandmother falls down the stairs, demonic creatures make frightening noises and appearances, and the other daughters begin experiencing supernatural and terrifying events.

Who are they gonna call? Ghostbusters! No, they’re gonna call the Warrens.

It has really been quite the journey. When the first Conjuring film came out in 2012, I remember reviewing the first film and being impressed at the various and complex methods and cinematic prowess that allowed the film to stand out as competitor in the horror genre. Wan’s way of balancing the terror, the jump scares and the unsettling atmosphere, while STILL maintaining a story worth telling and worth investing in, was sensational.

Six films and two spin-offs later, while many of the films became darker and darker (due, I believe, in part to Wan’s need to adhere and intensify subsequent films to satisfy the horror movie fans), care was taken in most not to upset The Conjuring fans, not to take risks that would weaken the franchise and turn people away. But, as with a lot of “universes,” once you’ve made one success it is VERY hard to build off it (take “The Curse of La Llorona” for example).

To me, “The Conjuring: The Last Rites” feels like a trip, cinematically and filmmaking-wise, back to what The Conjuring universe used to be: the psychological unease, the classic scare tactics with a twist, the thrill. Wan takes his time with this final installment (if that’s actually true) to say thank you to those who stuck with the series for over 13 years.

With that said, the final installment still has a lot that is left to be desired: blood, violence (much of which is geared at the teenage daughters which I was sickened by as an educator and just as a decent human being), and again, as I stated in “The Nun” a brutal attack, not simply on Christians, but on Christianity. Speaking of which…

While I commend Wan and his producers for taking the opportunity to showcase some power of the Christian faith, theologically Wan’s rhetoric is completely off. Supposed devout Christians are repeatedly overcome by demons: Daughter Judy and Father Gordon are forced to hang themselves. Judy chases her mother and throws her down stairs into the basement.

Scripture is clear that those who come to Jesus, put their belief and faith in Him, follow Him, and forsake wickedness are protected by God Almighty. They certainly cannot be possessed by the devil, as is shown in this film. Scripture says this…

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” —1 John 4:4

Having Christ in our life fills us with the Holy Spirit and living through and following Jesus protects us from Satan’s wickedness and temptations.

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” —Romans 8:9

And this Scripture from Psalms perfectly reinforces this…

He who abides in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to Yahweh, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the destructive pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions [refers to the feathers or wings of a bird],
And under His wings you will take refuge;
His truth is a large shield and bulwark [a defensive fortification].
You will not be afraid of terror by night,
Or arrow that flies by day;
Of pestilence that moves in darkness,
Or of destruction that devastates at noon. —Psalm 91:1-6

The Apostle Paul tells us that when we feel tempted, when we feel beaten, when we feel the devil lurking in the shadows, that we are to pray fervently and call on God to defend us…

“Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” —1 Peter 5:9

Content of Concern

VIOLENCE: A deceased individual is graphically seen hanging from the ceiling (supposed suicide). Fluorescent lights fall on a teenage girls causing injury and deep cuts on her face. One of the daughters is seen vomiting blood (by the gallon) everywhere, and a little on other people, as well as choking and spitting up pieces of glass. A character recalls being bitten by the mother from the first Conjuring film. A demonic spirit, in the form of a farmer, almost kills a character (tries a few times).

A demonic “female” spirit punches through glass and nearly chokes a teenage girl. Someone is pushed down the stairs. A Catholic priest finds hot candle wax melting onto his skin; he is later seen committing suicide by hanging himself. A domestic violence case is discussed in detail in which a cop takes the shotgun, evidence from the domestic violence case, and claims it has his partner.

A story is shared about a farmer who axed both his wife and his mother in a crazed state of mind. The doll Annabella comes to life, grows in size and pushes a woman down the stairs. A girl bleeds profusely from the nose. A giant mirror lands on a character’s legs. Someone crashes their car. A demon pushes someone down the stairs… again.

A demon tosses a dog around the room. A demon tries to give a character a heart attack. A female character tries to hang herself. People fall through a ceiling. The top of a mirror presses down a character’s throat, trying to choke him. A newborn is stillborn for over a minute but comes back to life. A man’s leg is crushed and ripped. A girl is hit in the head by a falling object, and blood pours from her head while she cries in pain. There are bloody axe wounds and brain matter shown. A room floods with blood.

PROFANITY: J*sus F**ing Chr*st, G*d (6), D*mn it, Jeez, Oh my G*d, Oh my gosh

VULGARITY: A**-Hole (1), Sh*t (1), Someone says that babies are perverts (?). There’s some name calling. Someone talks about farting

SEXUAL Content: A character is seen in labor and giving birth (nothing overly graphic). A couple passionately kiss. A woman had an affair with another man.

NUDITY: A newborn baby is seen naked (nothing graphic).

DRUGS: People are seen drinking wine.

OCCULT/SPIRITUAL ISSUES: Anyone familiar with the series knows that the Conjuring universe deals heavily with themes with the occult. Demonic possession is shown. Lorraine is a supposed clairvoyant (having the psychic ability to perceive information that is not accessible through the five natural senses, such as seeing future events, communicating with spirits, or knowing hidden details about a person or object), even though she believes in God (completely contrary to God’s Word).

There are discussions about “spirits” calling to someone. Throughout daughter Judy’s life, she is tormented by demonic visions—worsening as her wedding approaches. Lorraine sees a figure like herself in the mirror. A demonic farmer is seen multiple times. A door with a cross is turned upside down (an insult to the Holy Trinity). A couple crucifixes are seen burning. A Bible is seen burning.

OTHER: A mirror spins out of control nearly hitting people. Judy, even as a child, sees these terrible and horrifying “spirits” in her daily life. On a positive note, Lorraine is shown praying to God to save her newborn infant. A young teen is shown being confirmed in church.

Closing Thoughts

Nothing lasts forever, even The Conjuring series, which to this point, seems to be beaten like a dead horse. While the story itself is intriguing and we still have some strong performances throughout, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” feels like a trip down memory lane mixed with the feeling of “Okay lets wrap this up.” Maybe that’s a good thing though.

If we’re being honest, films dabbling and entertaining occultic practices (this includes clairvoyance, regardless of whether the character believes in God) and some serious theological discrepancies that are too large to ignore are not something Christians should really entertain.

There’s word that The Conjuring series will continue even though Ed and Lorraine’s story has concluded. Boy, I certainly hope not. Just like “Insidious” had to end, so should The Conjuring.

In any case, this film is NOT recommended for Christian audiences of any age. While there are some positive messages, including some that promote finding strength through God, these messages are hidden behind all the violence (much against children) and gore. In short, find something more edifying to do with your time.

• Violence: Very Heavy
• Occult: Heavy
• Profane language: Moderately Heavy
• Vulgar/Crude language: Moderate
• Sex: Mild
• Drugs/Alcohol: Mild
• Nudity: Minor
• Wokeism: None

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