The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) Movie Review – The Frightening Farewell to Ed & Lorraine Warren

Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

The Conjuring: Last Rites, directed by Michael Chaves, releases theatrically on September 5, 2025. This ninth and final installment of the Conjuring Universe stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga once again as Ed and Lorraine Warren, who are drawn out of retirement to confront a malevolent mirror haunting the Smurl family—set against the real-life 1986 Smurl haunting lore. It's a atmospheric, emotionally charged finale that honors the core characters while delivering classic scares. 

Plot Synopsis
The film opens with a haunting 1964 incident involving a cursed mirror during Lorraine’s near-death childbirth, setting up a chilling tie to her lifelong trauma. Fast forward to 1986, and the Warrens are living quietly—until the Smurl family experiences increasingly violent supernatural disruptions centered around a newly acquired mirror. As their daughter Judy’s psychic abilities intensify, she becomes intertwined in the case, pulling the Warrens back into a final, harrowing fight against evil.

Performances

• Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson bring warmth and gravitas, their chemistry and emotional depth anchoring the film’s final act. 

• Mia Tomlinson shines as Judy, bringing new emotional layers and serving as critical connection between past and present storylines. 

Direction & Screenplay
Michael Chaves crafts a moody, period-hued atmosphere that skillfully blends tension and sentiment. The screenplay delivers emotional weight—even if the haunted-house narrative leans on familiarity and pacing occasionally slows. Still, the familial stakes and finality serve as a compelling counterbalance. 

Technical Merits

• Visual & Sound Design: Immersive 1980s aesthetics, haunting score, and skillful jump scares bring chills without feeling stale. 

• Cinematography & Editing: Strong visual storytelling supports both suspense and emotional resonance, though a few scenes drift into cliché. 

Audience & Critical Response
Fan reactions have been enthusiastic—many praise it as a “terrifying final chapter” and emotional send-off. Critics are more mixed: some commend the heartfelt closure and performances, while others note slow pacing and predictable tropes. 

Final Verdict
The Conjuring: Last Rites delivers a fitting, emotional farewell to the Warren legacy, blending scares with heartfelt resolution. Its familiarity and pacing may underwhelm some, but the sincerity of the performances and closure it offers will satisfy fans of the franchise. A respectful and spooky goodbye to a storied horror saga.