(image source: Movie poster edited by me in Canva)

Sometimes a story does more than scare you, it touches your heart. The Conjuring: Last Rites felt like that to me. It is not only a horror film. It is a final journey for two people who spent their lives fighting the dark, Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Synopsis

The film begins with Judy Warren, who has seen strange things since childhood. On her birthday, her grandfather gives her a cracked mirror as a gift. The moment it is opened, the dog starts barking, the candles blow out before anyone touches them, and a heavy ceiling piece falls near Judy. The mirror makes Judy uneasy, so she and her sister throw it out. The trash truck crushes it the next morning, and right after that her sister falls sick and vomits blood. Night after night the house fills with odd sounds, shadows slide across the walls, and people’s dreams start coming true in the worst ways. It becomes clear that something else is in the house.

Ed and Lorraine step in to help. Years of facing demons have left them tired and worn, yet they keep going because they believe if they do not fight, no one will. As they begin the investigation, the case reaches into their own fears. Lorraine sees old pain. Ed faces his guilt. It feels like the case is breaking them and healing them at the same time. Everything builds to an endgame where the darkness tries to swallow the house and the Warrens understand that this will be their hardest and possibly final battle.

(image source: IMDB)

Trailer

First impressions

The opening pulled me in right away. I liked how a simple gift, a mirror, could flip a birthday into a warning. After that, the film slowly turns the house into a trap. I could feel the weight on Judy’s family and the dread building room by room. When Ed and Lorraine arrive, the tone shifts from a simple haunting to something personal. I enjoyed that choice. It makes the film feel like a real chapter in their lives, not just another case.

(image source: IMDB )

What worked for me ✅

• ** Performances:** The actors playing Ed and Lorraine give some of their best work. I could feel both fear and exhaustion on their faces, and that made the story land.
• Cinematography and sound: The lighting and sound design make the horror feel close and real. Small sounds, like a distant knock or a breath behind the door, raise the tension.
• Final stretch: The last 20 minutes are the strongest part for me. They are emotional, scary, and a little spiritual, which fits the Warrens well.
• Series connection: If you love The Conjuring universe, this feels like real closure. There are nods that make longtime fans smile and also tear up.

What did not work for me ❌

• Slow first half: The setup takes time. If you want fast scares, the early pacing may test your patience.
• Abrupt jumps: A few scenes cut from one thread to another too quickly, which weakens the flow.
• Thin side characters: Judy’s family could use more depth, especially the sister, considering how important the mirror event is.
• Loud score at times: The music sometimes gets too heavy. I prefer the quieter scares where the house does the talking.

(image source: IMDB)

Conclusion

For me, this is an emotional horror film that gives the Conjuring universe a strong final chapter. It is not about non-stop jump scares. It is about how fear and love can live in the same house, and how two tired demonologists still choose to stand in the dark for others.

I would give it a solid rating of 4 out 5.

Who should watch it

• Watch it if you have seen The Conjuring 1 and 2, or The Nun, and want a sense of closure.
• Watch it if you enjoy horror that mixes atmosphere, faith, and feelings instead of only loud shocks.
• Skip it if you only want quick, easy jump scares and a very fast pace.

If you watched it, tell me which moment stayed with you. For me, that last stretch in the house will echo for a while.