Movie poster for the highly anticipated movie, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” starring Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren) and Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren).
Image: The Conjuring | Courtesy
A movie that conjures up a reaction.
The newest and final installment of the renowned horror film series, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” was released on Sept. 5, and had been highly anticipated by fans.
For those unfamiliar with the franchise, “The Conjuring” movies each follow one paranormal case investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren. As real-life paranormal investigators, the Warrens investigated cases involving spirits, demons, hauntings and paranormal activity.
This movie follows the story of a paranormal case in Pennsylvania. Though the movie is advertised as being based on the true story of what happened, Hollywood took many creative liberties with the story.
While the content of the movie left something to be desired, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” was an excellent show of cinematography. With wonderful sound quality and picture, the film left just the right amount to the imagination.
“Although the ending of the movie felt a bit rushed, the producers did a good job of using wide camera angles and good sound cues to set up the suspense throughout the film,” junior Cooper Seidner said.
The film made great use of sound in particular. There was little excess noise, despite the detailed movement of objects with the soundscape. This allowed even the most basic of objects to help add to the overall suspense of the film.
The picture quality was also done well, although some audience members felt that the shot designs could have been better. “I feel like the focus was on everything up front in most of the shots, and there wasn’t anything going on in the background, even though most of the time the shots were filmed in a way that you could see everything,” junior Geordie Chagalis said.
The story followed the haunting of the Smurl family in suburban Pennsylvania. While in the movie, the haunting only started a few months before the Warrens decided to help, in real life the hauntings supposedly had been happening for years. Unable to relocate due to financial situations, the Smurls continued to live in the home in West Piston, PA, even when the hauntings turned from simple everyday things to physically violent encounters.
The Warrens began their investigation into the Smurl’s haunting in 1986. The Warrens discovered three different entities that they believe are responsible for the hauntings. The catch is that there is something “blocking” their access to the spirits.
By the end of the movie, some audience members do not get the conclusion they want. The Warrens become preoccupied by a plot point involving their daughter, Judy. Although in real life, Judy was not part of the case, or at least not in a capacity that would be meaningful, this plot point became the main focus of the movie.
For some fans, the newest movie was a let down, and didn’t feel like it was part of the franchise they know and love.
“I liked the amount of pure horror and classical elements included in the movie, however it didn’t seem like it was part of ‘The Conjuring’ series,” junior Ava Gerstemeier said. “I wish the ending fit more into ‘The Conjuring’ universe, rather than a send off for the actors.”
“The first half was good, but as soon as the Warrens got to the [Smurl’s] house it became kind of stupid,” Chagalis said.
“I think the first half was good, but then the ending was underwhelming and anticlimactic because there were a lot of jump scares at the beginning and the end was kind of cringy,” junior Adriana Paci said.
While Judy’s haunting took center stage, the main case became an afterthought, even when it came time for the conclusion. While the beginning of the movie was all about the haunting of the Smurl family, by the second half the focus had totally shifted.
Overall the quality of the cinematography was everything that someone could want in a movie, although the content of the film itself left something to be desired. The experience of “The Conjuring: Last Rites” is something that was unforgettable and will leave you sleeping with the lights on.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” earns a 4.5, according to reviewer Calee Lukowski.
Image: Gabrielle Barnett | Marlin Chronicle
By: Calee Lukowski
crlukowski@vwu.edu
