Twelve years after it began, the curtain’s finally closing on The Conjuring universe, and its central figures, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, are ready to say goodbye. The Conjuring: Last Rites, hitting theaters on September 5, marks the final chapter in the saga of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, a pair of roles that have defined both actors’ careers and become cultural touchstones in modern horror cinema.
On the surface, the final day of filming may have seemed routine for Wilson, who didn’t experience any sweeping moment of catharsis. “There’s only so many times you can say, ‘This is the worst case we’ve ever had!’” he jokes, reflecting on his dozen years as Ed Warren. But the end of the road still cuts deep, especially when it comes to his screen partner. “I actually can’t imagine it really being over because of her,” he says of Farmiga. “It really meant the world to me.”
Farmiga echoes the sentiment, albeit with her signature humor. “My rosary literally busted apart,” she recalls. “The beads were like, ‘Girl, we’re out of here!’” But when talk turns to Wilson, her voice wavers. “He made all of these life-zapping, exhausting exorcisms feel like a family barbecue,” she says. “I’m going to miss Patrick most of all.”
Directed by Michael Chaves (The Nun II, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It), Last Rites brings the Warrens’ cinematic journey to a personal and emotional conclusion. Early in development, filmmakers toyed with grand multiverse-style showdowns, portals opening, demons assembling, but quickly pivoted to what has always grounded the franchise: the human story at its core. “The biggest, most emotional story we could tell was the most personal one,” says Chaves.
Executive producer James Wan, who directed the first two Conjuring films, reinforces this: “The family dynamic, the faith the characters have, and the faith that they have in each other are really the things that drive this franchise.”
A Haunting Drawn From the Headlines
Set in 1986, Last Rites centers on one of the Warrens’ most infamous cases, the haunting of the Smurl family in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. This thoroughly documented study witnessed allegations of phenomena as unsettling as apparitions, hearing voices, and even physical assault. The case was publicized extensively in the 1980s in TV interviews and a bestseller book, and as such, it is one of the most identifiable cases in the Warrens’ collection.
Chaves notes that this historical resonance played a key role in choosing the Smurl haunting for the finale. “It is one of the more Googleable ones,” adds producer Peter Safran. “Audiences can look it up afterward and see how real this family and their experiences were.”
Rebecca Calder and Elliot Cowan lead the Smurl family cast as Janet and Jack, supported by young actors portraying their daughters and grandparents. But it’s not just the ghosts of Pennsylvania that haunt Last Rites, it’s the ghosts within the Warrens themselves.
A Generational Reckoning
The film also introduces a grown-up version of Judy Warren, played by Mia Tomlinson, stepping into a character fans have watched mature over the course of the franchise. Judy’s relationship with her parents and her new boyfriend Tony (Ben Hardy) plays a vital role in the emotional stakes of the story.
“Judy has been the quiet force right behind everything that Lorraine does,” says Farmiga. “She’s the light. She’s the reason Lorraine still fights when she feels like there’s nothing left to give.”
Tony, serving as the audience’s point of view, navigates the Warrens’ world with a mix of awe and naivety. “It’s sort of like a paranormal Meet the Parents,” jokes Hardy. “Are you good enough for my daughter?”
Flashbacks featuring a younger Ed and Lorraine, portrayed by Orion Smith and Madison Lawlor, underscore the film’s exploration of legacy and reflection. EW’s exclusive cover hints at even more unsettling elements, including eerie mirror images of the Warrens themselves. “You’re forced to look in the mirror,” says Wilson. “Who’s on the other side may not be the most pleasant.”
A Franchise Forged in Fear
The Conjuring Universe, launched in 2013, transformed the horror landscape, not only birthing eight main entries (nine if you count The Curse of La Llorona), but also elevating characters like Annabelle and Valak into modern horror icons. The original film was a sleeper hit, outperforming big-budget competition during its summer release and proving horror could thrive year-round.
“It was a total experiment,” says Safran. “A $5 million movie that did $265 million at the box office is incredible.” While the Crooked Man never got his own spin-off despite early plans, Valak did, and her terrifying presence continues to loom large over the series.
Though spin-offs may still be on the table, Last Rites brings the main saga to a definitive close. But even in its conclusion, the film continues the franchise’s mission: to explore the thin veil between faith, fear, and family.
“This one’s different than the others,” says Farmiga. “The other three were about hauntings. This one is about reckoning.”
And perhaps that’s what has always set The Conjuring apart: its heart. Whether facing down demons or grappling with mortality, Ed and Lorraine Warren showed audiences that love, even in a world filled with darkness, is the most powerful force of all.
