The first reactions are in for The Conjuring: Last Rites – but is it a worthy end to the series?
The upcoming film is the fourth and final main entry in the iconic horror franchise, with Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson back as Lorraine and Ed Warren as they take on another case.
The first reactions to the sequel have now landed via social media, and going by what critics have been saying, it looks like the Conjuring films may be going out on a high.
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“They saved the scariest & most emotional chapter for last with #TheConjuringLastRites / #TheConjuring,” wrote Courtney Howard. “A spooky, creepy, unwaveringly unnerving fright fest of freak-outs & a loving tribute to familial perseverance. Patrick Wilson & Vera Farmiga remain the ❤️ & soul.”
Tessa Smith suggested it was “worthy” and “the perfect ending”, adding: “Scares are top notch & family dynamics make it an emotional story. Fans will be more than satisfied with this one. Lots of references & Easter eggs. Loved it!”
Warner Bros.
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Peter Gray said fans of the franchise should “vibe” with the film, even if it “doesn’t reinvent the wheel”, adding: “There’s a comfort in seeing Wilson and Farmiga take on their ‘demon of the week.’ Some genuinely good scares here too and a nice sense of finality.”
Last Rites was further called “a solid conclusion” that “further proves that it’s some of the very best casting of all time” by Collider’s Perri Nemiroff.
“Yes, I like some Conjuring movies more than others, but the one thing that has never wavered is how abundantly clear it is that Wilson & Farmiga are giving every ounce of themselves to these roles,” the critic added.
Giles Keyte//Warner Bros.
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“Their warmth and determination as Ed & Lorraine has been wildly magnetic since day one, and now I can confirm that remains true to the finish.”
However, it hasn’t been all praise, with Jonathan Sim labelling the film “a mediocre entry to a long-running horror franchise”.
“While it’s nice to see Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s final outing as the Warrens, it feels like a lesser version of a tired Conjuring template,” he added. “Not as scary and surprisingly dull at times.”
The Conjuring: Last Rites is released in cinemas on 5 September.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.