The Conjuring 4: Last Rites Reviews Call It A Worthy Conclusion and Best of the Franchise
Parijat Ghosh 
The film’s journey with Ed and Lorraine Warren comes to an end with The Conjuring 4: Last Rites. Critics describe it as emotional and frightening. As the couple’s final significant case before retirement, the story delves into the notorious Smurl haunting of 1986. For die-hard fans, this is the most intimate and sincere investigation to date.
Let’s talk about what the critics are saying.
Performances That Elevate the Horror
The chemistry between Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga is at the centre of the movie. Collider’s Perri Nemiroff hailed the pair, calling them “the best casting of all time.” The emotional beats and scares feel more intense due to their realistic performances. Additionally, Mia Tomlinson, who plays Judy Warren, is praised for her expanded role. Her “emotional turn” was cited by CinemaBlend as a noteworthy addition.
The Emotional Core Stands Out
This film heavily emphasises family, faith, and legacy, in contrast to previous entries that concentrated more on pure scares. Fans are describing it as “an epic conclusion,” according to GamesRadar, which strikes a balance between heartbreaking scenes and a moving narrative. By emphasising Judy Warren, the movie goes beyond conventional horror clichés by directly relating the haunting to the Warrens’ familial ties.
Divided Opinions on the Horror
The scares did not sweep away all critics. According to CinemaBlend, Jonathan Sims thought the haunted house scene “leans too familiar and underwhelming.” He maintained that the genre is not reinvented by the film’s structure. However, Sims acknowledged that the film’s saving grace was still the chemistry between Wilson and Farmiga. This gap demonstrates how Last Rites’ emotional impact outweighs new scares.
Cameos and Surprises
Additionally, the movie revives fan-favorite relationships. Director Michael Chaves referred to Annabelle as the franchise’s mascot, confirming her appearance. Unexpected appearances enhance the narrative and provide gratifying callbacks for devoted viewers. Viewers were also moved by a post-credits sequence that included historical video of the actual Warrens.
A Bittersweet Ending for the Franchise
In his remarks to The Times of India, James Wan described the finale as “the end of an era.” Since it closes the Warrens’ chapter while leaving the larger universe open, he characterised the ending as bittersweet. GamesRadar claims that New Line Cinema has hinted that this movie marks the end of “Phase One,” suggesting that there may be more Conjuring universe tales to come.
Conclusion: Final Verdict from Critics
Most critics concur that The Conjuring: Last Rites offers a fitting and moving conclusion, despite some doubting its originality. In the words of GamesRadar, the film is “the scariest and most emotional chapter yet.” Critics consider this to be one of the best—if not the best—movies in the series because of its strong performances, moving narrative, and enough scary moments to satisfy horror fans.
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