Ever wondered how you say goodbye to a horror saga that shaped a decade?
The Previous Movies
From the atmospheric chills of the first Conjuring (2013), through the spectral thrills of its sequels and spin-offs—from Annabelle to The Nun—this cinematic universe has woven a tale of frights grounded in real-life investigations by Ed and Lorraine Warren. The direct predecessors, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), continued their saga, building up to this final chapter.
The Movie
The Conjuring: Last Rites is the upcoming—and as billed—final chapter in the original arc of the Conjuring Universe, directed by Michael Chaves, with a screenplay by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson‑McGoldrick, and produced by James Wan and Peter Safran. Returning as Ed and Lorraine Warren are Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, joined by Mia Tomlinson (Judy Warren), Ben Hardy (Tony Spera), and a cast portraying the real-life Smurl family.
Set in the mid‑1980s, years after Ed and Lorraine have stepped back from active investigating, the film brings them back for one last haunting: the infamous Smurl family case in West Pittston, Pennsylvania—a haunting that spanned decades and tested the limits of the Warrens’ beliefs. This chapter shifts from spectacle to intimate emotion, channeling the bittersweet finality of Logan, steering away from ensemble villain showdowns, focusing instead on legacy, family, and closure.
Vera Farmiga revealed that the physical toll of filming mirrors the eerie nature of the franchise—with unexplained cross-shaped bruises appearing on her during production—an uncanny echo of the stories they tell. Filming began in London in September 2024 and wrapped in November. The music score is created by Benjamin Wallfisch, succeeding Joseph Bishara’s previous contributions.
Fan Expectations
Fans are bracing for an emotional final bow—hoping for intensity but fearing repetition. Early critical reactions mirror that tension: some praise the magnetic chemistry of Farmiga and Wilson and the heartfelt sendoff, others yearn for more freshness, noting reliance on the “haunted‑house formula” and missing the chilling novelty. The trailers spotlight the terror of the Smurl haunting and the emotional weight of this final case—fans are watching, anticipating whether this will stand as a worthy farewell.
Release Date
The Conjuring: Last Rites is slated for theatrical release on September 5, 2025, with international premieres beginning as early as September 3, 2025.
