“The Conjuring” franchise’s main story is set to wrap up with the release of the new movie “Last Rites,” Sept. 5.
The famed paranormal movie series features the fictional retellings of the real-life exorcistic vocations of married couple Ed and Lorraine Warren. Played by actors Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, the two exorcists venture to various residences in pursuit of malicious spirits possessing human bodies.
The franchise includes three core movies, “The Conjuring,” “The Conjuring 2” and “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.” In addition to the core trilogy, “The Conjuring Universe” franchise expanded with the release of spinoff movies such as “Annabelle” in 2014 and “The Nun” in 2018. The franchise has a total of nine comprising films that entertain fans of horror, the paranormal and film alike.
“Last Rites,” however, will end the core story of “The Conjuring Universe” by retelling the story of the Warrens’ most popularized exorcism case: the case of the Smurls. The Smurls, a three-generation family from Pennsylvania known for their paranormal experiences, were allegedly haunted by a cursed mirror, which the Warrens had encountered towards the beginning of their careers, and suffer this haunting hours before the birth of the Warrens’ daughter Judy. Subsequently, now decades past, Judy experiences the same clairvoyant abilities as her mother, Vera Warren.
“Last Rites,” unlike the other movies that compose “The Conjuring Universe,” is centered around the Warrens. Although the Smurls will remain important to the plot and serve noticeable relevance, the film will be focused on the Warrens’ symbiotic relationship based in faith. The unorthodox Christian values the Warrens hold illuminate the nature of the basis of their careers. Where Vera sees, Ed believes, and the married couple continue to complete their exorcistic missions.
“Last Rites” excites fans of “The Conjuring” franchise worldwide, and with a box office expectation of an $80M+ worldwide, fans can contend that this movie may be a solid story to finalize the franchise.