Movie Review: The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
“Every story has an ending. Some end in silence. Others… in screams.”
The Conjuring: Last Rites marks the chilling conclusion to the beloved supernatural franchise that began over a decade ago. Directed by Michael Chaves and produced by James Wan, this final chapter brings back Ed and Lorraine Warren (played once again by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) for one last battle against evil—this time in Vatican City, where an ancient, unspeakable force is being unearthed beneath sacred ground.
The film begins with a haunting prologue set in 1970s Italy, where a young priest is mysteriously consumed by a presence locked within the catacombs. When the Church reaches out to the Warrens to investigate, they are pulled into a case unlike anything they’ve faced—one that ties directly to their earliest encounters with the occult, and to a secret the Church has buried for centuries.
Wilson and Farmiga once again shine with heartfelt performances, grounding the terror with emotional weight. Lorraine’s visions are more intense and disturbing than ever, including a particularly horrifying sequence involving a room full of whispering statues. Meanwhile, Ed faces his own mortality, raising the stakes with a lingering sense of finality throughout the film.
Atmospherically, Last Rites delivers in spades. The cinematography is gothic and shadow-laden, echoing the feel of classic European horror. The use of religious iconography—cracked crucifixes, bleeding saints, and Latin incantations—adds a powerful spiritual dread. The sound design is nerve-shredding, building unbearable tension with silence, whispers, and sudden, soul-piercing shrieks.
While some jump scares are familiar, the film wisely leans more into psychological horror and slow-building dread rather than nonstop shock. The final 20 minutes are harrowing and emotionally charged, blending exorcism, revelation, and sacrifice into a climax that feels both terrifying and tragically beautiful. Fans of the franchise will find the ending both satisfying and heartbreaking.
Final Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
The Conjuring: Last Rites is a worthy and powerful finale—less about screams and more about the scars they leave. A haunting goodbye to horror’s most beloved paranormal investigators.
