Main Genre: Supernatural Horror
Subgenres: Possession horror, exorcism, paranormal thriller, and emotional drama
Release Date: September 5, 2025
Director: Michael Chaves, written by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick
Main Cast: Vera Farmiga reprises her role as Lorraine Warren and Patrick Wilson reprises her role as Ed Warren. They are joined by Mia Tomlinson as Judy Warren and Ben Hardy as Tony Spera, as well as supporting stars such as Steve Coulter, Rebecca Calder, and Elliot Cowan.
Horror has its ups and downs, and when it fades, it leaves a lasting echo for those of us who have been there from the beginning, from the first scream. The Conjuring 4: The Last Rites (2025), directed by Michael Chaves, is presented as the final installment of a supernatural horror universe that completely captured the hearts of an entire generation of fans.
The film is like a two-plus-hour journey that allows us to see the emotional and spiritual summary of the Warrens, those men who pursued the incredible and became legends. Their genre usually oscillates between the paranormal and drama, but this time it has a sad vibe that distinguishes it from older material.
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return to the spotlight, playing Lorraine and Ed Warren in the final act, they are joined by Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy, playing the adult Judy Warren and her husband Tony Spera. They are joined by new characters who add a cool vibe to a story that deals with old memories.
Chaves knows this is the end of the cycle, so he opts for a more personal vibe, less about quick thrills and more about the impact of his own journey. The result is a film that tries to touch hearts, not just scare, and it's absolutely brilliant.
The plot shifts between two eras: back in '64, Lorraine is struck by a cursed mirror that brings nightmarish demons while she's simply relaxing with her son; and then, fast-forwarding to 1986, a clan in PA, the mirror in the film is like a big problem, showing us that what scares us isn't out there.
But actually inside our own heads, the result isn't just about expelling the dark things, but also about the Warrens realizing they are not invincible, and that the real struggle is dealing with the pain and loss that comes with it.
As a critic and fan of horror films, I must say that The Last Rites doesn't try to change things, but rather closes them with class and respect. Sometimes things slow down, even get a little thoughtful, but that's not a bad thing: it's just the silence before saying goodbye.
The film is like a tribute to two characters who went far beyond being mere actors and became real-life symbols of terrifying things. It's not the scariest part of the story, but it's definitely the most relatable and real. It's a reminder that, behind every shadow, there is also love