Evaluating "The Conjuring: Last Rites" - Is it a Whimper or a Bang?
The eagerly anticipated film, The Conjuring: The Last Rites, is set to grace UK cinemas on the 5th of September. Directed by Michael Chaves, who aims to delve deeper into the Warrens' family, the film promises to tie the narrative to the Warrens and their daughter, Judy, portrayed by Mia Tomlinson.
However, the film fails to deliver the true horror that fans have come to expect from the franchise. Instead, it indulges in cliches and relies heavily on jump scares, some of which are effective, but often appear in clusters. The scenes in between these scares lack tension, leaving viewers feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
One of the more notable aspects of the film is the portrayal of Lorraine Warren, played by Vera Farmiga. Despite her character having the most power in the series, she is reduced to a screaming victim in this instalment. This is a stark contrast to her strong and resilient portrayal in previous films.
Ed Warren's heart condition narrative is used more for emotional manipulation than adding tension to the plot. On the brighter side, British actor Ben Hardy, who plays Judy's boyfriend Tony, brings a fresh and light-hearted energy to the narrative, providing a welcome relief from the darkness that envelops the film.
The Smurl family, who were the subject of the real-life haunting in Pennsylvania, feel like an afterthought in the film. Little care is taken to make them into characters that viewers can connect with or care about. This lack of character development is a missed opportunity, as the Smurls' story is an integral part of the Conjuring universe.
The careers of the Warrens have been controversial, with some claiming they were nothing but scammers, while others credit them for shining a light on phenomena often overlooked by the scientific community. Regardless of one's stance on the Warrens, it is clear that The Conjuring: The Last Rites does not do justice to their legacy, as it ends up being a disappointment, letting down its main characters and avoiding offering anything new or challenging.
Meanwhile, Patrick Wilson, who plays Ed Warren, is set to appear in James Gunn's new take on Wonder Woman, with a script currently being developed. Wilson's co-star, Vera Farmiga, has not announced any new projects as of yet.
Elsewhere in the horror genre, Zach Cregger, who was previously linked to a new Clue film, is now working on a new horror film called Weapons. A trailer for the film has been released, and fans are eagerly awaiting its release.
Despite the disappointing reception of The Conjuring: The Last Rites, the Conjuring franchise has left a lasting impact on the horror genre. Whether this will be the end of the franchise or if there will be more instalments remains to be seen. For now, horror fans will have to wait and see what the future holds.
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