The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) Spoiler Free Review
The case that ended it all. The Conjuring: Last Rites is a 2025 American supernatural horror film directed by Michael Chaves. Based on the true-life investigations of the Smurl haunting case the film is the 4th main and ninth installment in The Conjuring Universe serving as the final chapter in the mainline continuity. The film was released in the United States on September 5, 2025 and has grossed $226 million worldwide, having the biggest opening weekend of the franchise.
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on one last terrifying case involving mysterious entities they must confront.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren, Madison Lawlor as young Lorraine Warren, Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren, Orion Smith as young Ed Warren, Mia Tomlinson as Judy Warren, Ben Hardy as Tony Spera, Steve Coulter as Father Gordon, Rebecca Calder as Janet Smurl, Elliot Cowan as Jack Smurl, Kíla Lord Cassidy as Heather Smurl, Beau Gadsdon as Dawn Smurl, Molly Cartwright as Shannon Smurl, Tilly Walker as Carin Smurl, Peter Wight as Grandpa Smurl, Kate Fahy as Grandma Smurl, John Brotherton as Brad Hamilton, Shannon Kook as Drew Thomas, and Grace Kemp as Nellie.
The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives as both a closing chapter and a love letter to the legacy of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film leans heavily on nostalgia, giving longtime fans a sentimental farewell to the couple who have carried this franchise for over a decade. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson once again prove they are the heart of the series with their chemistry and heartfelt performances they elevate the film, and it’s hard to imagine The Conjuring without them.
That said, the narrative itself is messy and underwhelming. The movie struggles to balance its two intertwining stories, and in the process, neither feels fully developed. Instead of focusing strongly on the case at hand, the film shifts its attention to the Warrens’ personal journey. While this adds emotional weight, it comes at the expense of the horror elements that made the franchise so impactful in its early installments.
The film does exactly what fans expect: dark, atmospheric cinematography paired with chilling sound design that delivers a handful of good scares. However, one of the biggest drawbacks is its reliance on CGI to bring demons and spirits to life. This choice strips away some of the eerie realism that practical effects provide and weakens the overall atmosphere.
Despite its flaws, The Conjuring: Last Rites is still an entertaining watch and a step up from The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It. But it’s hard not to wonder what the film could have been if James Wan had returned to direct. As it stands, Last Rites is a fitting but imperfect farewell, more memorable for its emotional goodbye to the Warrens than for its scares.
The Conjuring: Last Rites is now available in theaters.