The Conjuring: Last Rites review is out; Wilson & Farmiga shine, but does the final chapter really deliver?

Set to hit theaters on September 5, 2025, The Conjuring: Last Rites marks the chilling return of Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) in the franchise’s highly anticipated finale and what is seen as the “most horror film” of the franchise. The film follows the paranormal duo as they confront the notorious Smurl haunting in 1986 Pennsylvania, exploring the emotional and physical toll their investigations take in their later years.

The Conjuring: The Last Rites brings Ed and Lorraine Warren’s story to a definitive, if somewhat uneven, conclusion. Critics and fans alike are weighing in on how this latest installment balances scares, sentiment, and series legacy.

What the critics and reviews are saying

According to the Cinemablend website, Perri Nemiroff, who has closely followed the series since the first Conjuring films, is effusive in her praise of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s performances. Writing about their final outing as the famed paranormal investigators, Nemiroff calls them “some of the very best casting of all time” and emphasizes that their warmth, determination, and magnetic chemistry remain undiminished. “Yes, I like some Conjuring movies more than others, but the one thing that has never wavered is how abundantly clear it is that Wilson & Farmiga are giving every ounce of themselves to these roles,” she writes.

On the other hand, Jonathan Sims of Coming Soon notes that while it’s enjoyable to see Wilson and Farmiga paired once again, the film itself doesn’t reinvent the wheel. “#TheConjuringLastRites is a mediocre entry to a long-running horror franchise,” Sims writes. “It feels like a lesser version of a tired Conjuring template, not as scary and surprisingly dull at times.” He particularly highlights the film’s return to the haunted house storyline as a less compelling choice for a finale.

Meanwhile, Andre St. Albin offers one of the most positive takes online, calling The Last Rites a “must-see epic conclusion.” St. Albin points out that Mia Tomlinson, playing the Warrens’ daughter Judy, adds emotional depth to the story, while surprise cameos and a moving send-off scene provide fans with a satisfying closure. He also encourages viewers to stick around for the post-credits sequence, which features archive footage of the Warrens battling demons.

Arron Neuwarth echoes the sentiment that the film serves as a fitting sendoff for the franchise’s heart. “Farmiga and Wilson have always been the series' heart, and they shine in this fitting, spooky sendoff,” he writes, noting that the movie successfully wraps up the Warrens’ cinematic universe, at least for now.

According to the Rolling Stone website, Producer Peter Safran, co-CEO of DC Studios, praised director Michael Chaves for blending scares with emotional depth, calling him the perfect successor to James Wan’s legacy. Safran emphasized that the film was made only when the story felt worthy, underpinned by a strong emotional framework and the support of Warner Bros. and New Line.

Safran admits that over the course of producing the franchise, he moved from skeptic to believer, convinced of the reality of the paranormal after meeting the families involved.