Written, directed, and produced by Australian filmmaker James Wan, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” was released on September 5th this year and follows the story of young Ed and Lorraine Warren who investigate a haunting, involving an antique mirror which awakens the beginning of their career.
The mirror in this first investigation led to Lorraine seeing a dark entity which makes her collapse and go into labor immediately. After giving birth to her stillbirth baby, her prayers revive the baby whom she names Judy. Twenty- two years later, the Smurl family moves to Pennsylvania, parents Jack and Janet Smurl live with their four daughters and Jack’s parents. For the daughter’s confirmation gift, the grandparents give her the same antique mirror from Warren’s first investigation.
At this time, the Warrens are retired from investigations but continue educating the public and schools. Their daughter is now twenty two years old and is frequently having psychic episodes that start to begin at a family dinner. Her mother Lorraine sees this through her own senses. Judy starts to track down the Smurl family through visions. Ed and Lorraine are hesitant due to their past case which led to Ed having heart problems. Throughout the investigations, the Warrens realize the Mirror is in their attic which holds a demonic entity.
The Warrens decide to take the mirror and contain it in their home alongside the rest of their haunted objects. As they try to take it out the door, the demonic presence possesses their daughter Judy and makes Ed have a cardiac episode. The Warrens come together to break the mirror and stop the presence of the demon and contain it. This case was the last for the Warrens which made them continue their retirement alongside their lectures to the public.
Before this movie came out, there were three previous “Conjuring” movies that were also produced and written by filmmaker James Wan. All movies are based on the Warrens’ cases. “The Conjuring: Last Rites” highlighted how the three previous movies tie into together and how horrific it was for them to stop investigating at all.
Although this movie universe is very popular, it is rated R and is not recommended for children due to the scariness etc. Overall, I think this movie is a must watch for the spooky season, especially for those who enjoy this movie series.
