In 2013, the first movie of the popular horror franchise, The Conjuring, was released, gaining immediate popularity and exposure for its unique storyline and horror factors. After over a decade, The Conjuring: Last Rights (2025) arrives in theaters as the conclusion to one of the most well known horror franchises. Directed by Michael Chaves, the film brings Ed and Lorraine Warren’s haunting story to an end.

       Last Rites, set in 1964, follows the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren as they take on a haunting case involving a cursed mirror. What started out as an “ordinary” supernatural occurrence quickly turns personal to Ed and Lorraine as the past of the cursed mirror ties to them and their family. This gives the film an emotional theme, as the final film personally revolves around Ed and Lorraine and their faith, all while giving the audience fear factors that are appealing to horror movie lovers. 

       The film’s cinematography is especially notable, as its dark and eerie colors and chilling camera angles mimic the original Conjuring, producing raw terror and creepy nostalgia to fans of the franchise. Although not every scare feels new and unfamiliar, the execution remains high quality. The film used lots of tension rather than actual gore to keep the audience engaged and on edge, making the film so appealing. In the final supernatural confrontation, the scene is horrifying and wraps up the franchise perfectly, making a fitting ending for The Conjuring’s legacy.

       Due to the emotional impact, Last Rites at times had gaps in its entertainment. Although it is beneficial to develop a plot, the long pacing between the bursts of horror left the movie as a whole feeling more like a drama rather than a horror film. 

       Additionally, the “villain” of the movie, a cursed mirror, lacks the memorable significance that many fans longed for, such as Valak or Bathsheba. 

       It is also important to note that the plot is heavily based on familiar stories: haunted possessions, exorcisms, and expected plot twists. These factors make the movie feel very predictable, especially to long-time Conjuring fans and overall horror movie fanatics, causing the highly anticipated movie to not live up to many expectations. 

       Despite its flaws, Last Rites contained a well-thought out ending that left fans satisfied, despite the way they viewed the horror characteristics. The emotional ending gave a theme of family and hope, which was shown to be stronger than the supernatural obstacles the family faced throughout the franchise. Overall, although maybe underwhelming to some, The Conjuring: Last Rites was enough to satisfy longtime fans of the franchise with its emotional story telling and ending, along with its classic horror factors.