The Conjuring: Last Rites – Everything You Need To Know

Key Information

Overview

The Conjuring: Last Rites is expected to be the fourth and final installment of The Conjuring series, scheduled for release on September 5, 2025.

Plot Focus

“Last Rites” will likely focus on the Smurl haunting, as it was one of the cases of the Warrens.

Cast Details

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are again expected to portray the Warrens, alongside new cast members Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy.

Director’s Vision

This installment is touted as action-packed and equally tear-jerking by Michael Chaves. The film is designed to perform rapid-fire scares, deep emotional catharsis, or both.

Fan Speculation

Some lingering light banter still exists amongst fans about whether this is truly the end of the franchise or if it is just some sort of pause.

What Is The Conjuring: Last Rites

Film Background

It looks like The Conjuring: Last Rites is the definite finish line for the main Conjuring series, which has been a horror staple since 2013. The film is expected to cover the Smurl Family Haunting, a harrowing paranormal encounter that took place in the late 1970s in Pennsylvania. Michael Chaves claims that this will be the darkest entry yet, fixating towards Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Why It Matters

Cultural Impact

The Conjuring series has transformed the landscape of contemporary horror by fusing actual events with horror motifs. Last Rites holds particular importance because it could signify the closure of one narrative arc, though some believe it has the potential to shift the story into a new phase. In light of the over $2 billion earnings box office horror industry milestone, the release of this film is of great importance to the fans of the genre.

What to Expect

Audience Experience

Allegedly, fans have suffered enough and can now look forward to the deeply disturbing depiction of the Smurl haunting, filled with gripping supernatural themes and emotional narrative. The film is expected to feature Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, along with other familiar and new cast members, in a blend of horror and sentiment. The early responses to the teaser trailer have been optimistic.

Complete Summary for The Conjuring: Last Rites

Film Overview

Franchise Legacy

The film wasn’t just horrific, it was next level. It’s safe to say The Conjuring made its mark, if not an indelible one, on the horror genre of movies. The very first horror franchise of the current generation was launched by Conjuring in 2013. Since then, The Conjuring: Last Rites is also going to be one of the last chapters of this franchise, marking out on its cinematic printing starting from the 5th of September 2025. The four films till now have made a total of over $2 billion worldwide.

Plot and Characters

Story Basis

The Conjuring: Last Rites derives from true events involving the Smurl family, who, from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, experienced paranormal phenomena in their residence located in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. The Smurls reported experiencing several strange and haunting events, including unexplained noises and odors, objects moving on their own, and violent incidents such as their dog being thrown against a wall and family members suffering attacks. In 1986, they contacted Ed and Lorraine Warren, who later described how the couple believed that four spirits—including a demon—tormented the family (Daily Mail).

Key Roles

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise their roles as Lorraine and Ed Warren in this film, and without a doubt, they continue to bring the emotional nuance and chemistry to the roles that have made them so endearing. Mia Tomlinson expands her role as Judy Warren, the Warrens’ daughter, while Ben Hardy plays Tony Spera, Judy’s boyfriend and later husband. Janet and Jack Smurl, the parents of the Smurl family, are played by Rebecca Calder and Elliot Cowan respectively. In an interview, director Michael Chaves mentioned, “the darkest thing we’ve ever seen in the series,” which hints towards unprecedented intensity the film has to offer (Entertainment Weekly).

Cast and Crew

Talent Spotlight

The Conjuring franchise has remained successful and has released several movies, all thanks to the brilliant cast and crew. This tradition continues with this movie as it has, once again, added Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson back into the fold as Lorraine and Edward Warren. They give fear and humanity to the characters brilliantly. Their return is a highlight, with Wilson teasing a “thrilling, scary” film that “you never know where this is going” (Entertainment Weekly). Judy Warren is played by Mia Tomlinson, and Ben Hardy, who played Tony Spera, was new to the series.

Creative Team

Like The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Michael Chaves will direct Last Rites, bringing with him his signature atmospheric tension and jump scare sequences. The screenplay, produced by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, was based on a tale co-written by Johnson-McGoldrick and franchise creator James Wan. Producers James Wan and Peter Safran, who have been with the series since its inception, are confident that Last Rites will keep pace with the rest of the franchise. The film’s score will be composed by Benjamin Wallfisch, who will also contribute to the film’s ominous tone (Wikipedia).

Production and Release

Filming Details

From September 17 to November 22, 2024, the crew filmed The Conjuring: Last Rites in London. Production Designer Simon Bowles used the city’s diverse locations to recreate Pennsylvania. Atomic Monster, New Line Cinema, and The Safran Company supported the production, which the team completed on schedule. This timely completion paved the way for the film’s theatrical release on September 5, 2025 (IMDb). The fall release better aligns with the franchise’s established pattern. however, it does depart from earlier films, which premiered during the summer.

Marketing Buzz

Warner Bros. increased excitement by releasing a teaser trailer on May 8, 2025, which went viral with millions of views. The trailer features the Smurl home’s investigation and its chilling environs, accompanied with music that raises goosebumps (YouTube). The film is following the franchise’s tradition of ensuring an exclusive theatrical release, which leads to a more enhanced experience for the fans.

Analysis and Expectations

Fan Anticipation

With the release of The Conjuring: Last Rites fast approaching, the buzz around it is unprecedented. The movie is postured to provide the audience with terrifying frights and emotional resolution because it is said to be the Warrens’ final case. Farmiga teased that the demon has “very, very personal” reasons to unleash fury, hinting at a personal, visceral attack (Entertainment Weekly). Producer Peter Safran pointed out that while contemplating retirement, the couple is still driven to take on this case because of goodness, bringing in elements of obligation and selflessness combined.

Franchise Evolution

With Michael Chaves at the helm, it seems certain that Last Rites will continue the franchise’s tradition of pushing the envelope in horror. As for the real-life Smurl haunting, it provides some measure of authenticity since audiences are familiar with at least some parts of the story, however much it may be dramatized. The narrative hints at a focus on the next generation of the Warren family with Judy Warren and Tony Spera, which could be a launching point for Conjuring Universe stories to come, even though this purportedly marks the end of “Phase One” (Bloody Disgusting).

Fan Theories

Discussion boards, such as Reddit, have had fans theorizing about the intricacies of the case, with some positing that it might instead be the Snedeker haunting. However, the evidence seems to suggest that it is the Smurl case (Reddit). In any case, it should be a major event in the landscape of cinema, releasing alongside other anticipated horror films in 2025, including Saw XI.

Benefits and Risks

Audience Appeal

The Conjuring: Last Rites gives fans an opportunity to experience an emotionally resonant horror that blends grief with catharsis as they experience the climactic conclusion to the Warrens’ story. Its true-life inspiration captures the imagination of horror fans and those fascinated by the occult, but there is a risk of meeting unrealistic expectations. It also poses the risk of disappointing loyal fans if the film does not provide sufficient scares or conclusiveness. Furthermore, the debate surrounding the franchise case uses has raised concerns about ethical boundaries and the exploitation of grief, even though such crass exploitation would seem unlikely given the credibility the Warrens’ name brings.

Future Outlook

Franchise Potential

With Last Rites marking the end of “Phase One” of The Conjuring Universe, the franchise’s scope still remains promising. There is a drama series in the works for Max, but other than that, there are no other details available (Entertainment Weekly). Given the trope of “The Last Name” in pop-culture, there is ample wiggle room with the Warrens’ voluminous case files to be spun off onto Judy and Tony Spera. Keeping in mind the franchise has brought in $2 billion, there is bound to be continued interest, with Last Rites paving the way.

Conclusion

Final Thoughts

Scheduled for release on September 5, 2025, The Conjuring: Last Rites aims to shatter industry norms and set new standards in horror by recounting a real-life case of astonishing terror that concludes the Warrens’ story. With a promise of unrivaled bleakness, horror aficionados are in for a gripping blend of terror and unforgettable sorrow anchored in the chilling reality of the Smurl haunting. Mark your calendars, and in the meantime, don’t forget to watch the teaser trailer as well as the other ones uploaded on YouTube.

Internal Links

1. The Conjuring Universe, /the-conjuring-universe-overview, Why It Matters
2. Horror Movies 2025, /horror-movies-2025-preview, Analysis and Expectations

External Links

1. Smurl Family Haunting, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14695775/conjuring-rites-trailer-chilling-true-story.html, Plot and Characters
2. The Conjuring: Last Rites Trailer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSAz556s0fM, Production and Release
3. The Conjuring Franchise, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conjuring_Universe, Film Overview

Key Citations

• IMDb – The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
• Wikipedia – The Conjuring: Last Rites Overview
• Daily Mail – True Story Behind The Conjuring: Last Rites
• Entertainment Weekly – First Look at The Conjuring: Last Rites
• Bloody Disgusting – Last Rites Ends Conjuring Phase One
• YouTube – The Conjuring: Last Rites Official Teaser
• Reddit – The Conjuring: Last Rites Story Discussion