# The Conjuring: Last Rites - IS IT SCARY? - Movie Review

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZnbPqkR4HA
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/ZZnbPqkR4HA
Generated: 2025-09-06T22:05:57.006+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The Conjuring: Last Rites is a disappointing and lengthy final installment in the franchise, criticized for its excessive jump scares, poor pacing, and a convoluted plot that dilutes the horror. Reviewers rated it a 3 out of 10, recommending viewers wait for streaming or skip it entirely, as it fails to deliver genuine scares or a compelling narrative despite the actors' efforts.

**Key Points:**
- "The Conjuring: Last Rites" is overwhelmingly considered not scary, with reviewers citing an excessive number of unnecessary jump scares and a "long and drawn out" plot.
- The film suffers from poor pacing, with a significant portion of the movie feeling "boring" and stretched thin, to the point where the "main story line you just don't really care" about.
- Critics noted narrative issues, including two parallel stories (the Smurl family haunting and the Warrens' personal lives) that felt disconnected and weighed down the film, with the Warrens becoming "background dressing" for much of the latter half.
- The movie received low ratings, with reviewers giving it a "solid three" or a "three and a half" out of 10, suggesting audiences "wait for it for a stream" or "skip this one until it goes out on VOD."
- Despite the actors' efforts, the "opponent" (the mirror entity) was not compelling, leading to an "unsatisfying" conclusion for what is presented as the Warrens' final case.
- The film's plot was criticized for embellishing "true events" to an unbelievable degree, feeling "half-baked and weird and off-kilter" when trying to balance reality with extreme supernatural occurrences.

**Context:** This review discusses "The Conjuring: Last Rites," presented as the final film in the Conjuring franchise, focusing on Ed and Lorraine Warren's most dangerous case. The discussion delves into the controversial nature of the real-life Warrens, with allegations of them being "con artists" and details of Ed Warren's alleged affair and Lorraine's alleged involvement in an abortion. The review also touches on the massive commercial success of the Conjuring universe, which spans nine films including spin-offs like "Annabelle" and "The Nun."

## Detailed Analysis

The review for "The Conjuring: Last Rites" concludes that the film is a significant disappointment, lacking genuine scares and suffering from severe pacing issues. Reviewers found the plot convoluted, attempting to juggle the Warrens' personal lives, including Ed's health concerns and their daughter's relationship, with the main haunting, ultimately diluting the horror. The film is described as "long and drawn out," with a "boring" middle section filled with unnecessary subplots, making the actual horror elements feel like brief, "sprinkling of creepiness" moments. The reliance on "unnecessary jump scares" and a weak antagonist, the mirror entity, further detracted from the experience. The narrative struggles to balance "based on true events" with extreme embellishments, leading to a "half-baked and weird and off-kilter" tone. The film received low ratings, with reviewers suggesting it should be skipped or watched on streaming, noting that even the actors' performances couldn't salvage a weak script and an unsatisfying conclusion to the Warrens' story. The review also briefly touches on the historical controversy surrounding the real Ed and Lorraine Warren, including allegations of fraud and infidelity.

### Review Verdict

- Not scary, excessively long, poor pacing, convoluted plot, weak antagonist, disappointing conclusion, recommended to skip or wait for streaming
- Ratings: 3/10, 3.5/10

### Plot & Narrative Issues

- Two parallel stories (Smurl family and Warrens' personal lives) felt disconnected
- Warrens became background dressing
- Plot stretched thin, felt like "an hour of nothing" before the main conflict began
- "Based on true events" heavily embellished to a "half-baked" degree

### Scare Factor & Horror Elements

- Overwhelmed by "unnecessary jump scares"
- "Boring" middle segment
- Weak antagonist (mirror entity) not compelling
- Some creepy moments (creepy ladies, baby doll) but "dropped the ball" on tension

### Character & Relationship Focus

- Warrens' family drama (daughter's relationship, Ed's heart attack) felt like "family drama" or "CW show"
- Smurl family characters disappeared from the film
- Actors (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga) were the "better part" but couldn't save the film

### Filmmaking & Production

- Criticized for "unnecessary padding"
- "Thin premise"
- "Same beat" as previous films
- CGI for Annabelle's appearance was "terrible"

### Controversy & Real Life Warrens

- Allegations of Warrens being "con artists"
- Ed Warren's alleged affair and relationship with a maid
- Lorraine's alleged involvement in an abortion
- The Y Files documentary mentioned as changing perspective on the Warrens

### Franchise Context & Legacy

- Presented as the "final Conjuring film"
- Franchise has grossed billions
- Previous Conjuring films (1 & 2) and Annabelle Creation were considered good
- Other films like "The Nun" and "Annabelle" received poor reception
- Potential for future spin-offs (e.g., The Crooked Man) discussed