New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster and The Safran Company’s The Conjuring: Last Rites (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; A) is a horror drama. This is the fourth film in the The Conjuring series.
Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) is a demonologist and his wife, Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), is a clairvoyant and a trance medium. They have powers to ward off spirits. They are both investigating an antique mirror in the store-room of an antique shop. The mirror unsettles them and Lorraine, who is expecting a child, soon gives birth to a child which is stillborn. The girl child comes alive within minutes.
Twenty-two years later, the Smurl family gets that same haunted mirror to their house in Pennsylvania. The Smurl family comprises Jack (Elliot Cowan), his wife, Janet (Rebecca Calder), their four daughters, and Jack’s parents, Mary and John. Strange things start happening to the Smurls because of the haunted mirror. Father Gordon attempts to help the Smurls by asking the Warrens, but the latter refuse as they are now leading a retired life. While Father Gordon dies under mysterious circumstances, Ed and Lorraine Warren’s only daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson), who is now grown-up, reaches his funeral as she has had visions of Father Gordon’s death. Ed, Lorraine and Judy’s boyfriend, Tony Spera (Ben Hardy), also reach Father Gordon’s funeral — in search of Judy. At the funeral, Judy touches Father Gordon’s coffin and is led to the Smurl household in Pennsylvania. The Warrens follow Judy who now asks them to help the Smurls. Do the Warrens help the Smurls to get rid of the spirit and the mirror?
David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and James Wan have written a story which has a lot of turns and twists. The screenplay, penned by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, is fast-paced and pretty engrossing and engaging. The horror quotient may be low but the drama is interesting and very engaging.
Vera Farmiga does a very fine job as Lorraine Warren. Patrick Wilson is good as Ed Warren. Mia Tomlinson has her moments as Ed and Lorraine’s daughter, Judy. Ben Hardy is okay as Judy’s boyfriend, Tony Spera. Rebecca Calder is so-so as Janet Smurl. Elliot Cowan is alright as Jack Smurl. Killa Lord Cassidy makes her presence felt as Janet and Jack’s daughter, Heather. Beau Gadsdon leaves a mark as Janet and Jack’s daughter, Dawn. Molly Cartwright and Tilly Walker are okay as Janet and Jack’s daughters, Shannon and Carin respectively. Peter Wight and Kate Fahy provide ordinary support as Jack’s parents. Others pass muster.
Michael Chaves’ direction is nice. He has made a pretty entertaining film. Benjamin Wallfisch’s background music is pretty appealing and impactful. Eli Born’s cinematography is lovely. John Frankish’s production designing is of a good standard. Gregory Plotkin and Elliot Greenberg’s editing is sharp. Dubbing is nice.
On the whole, The Conjuring: Last Rites is a hit.
Released on 5-9-’25 at Metro Inox (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: fair. Opening: excellent. …….Also released all over. Opening was superb at many places.
