The Conjuring Universe has kept horror fans in its thrall for well over a decade, scaring the living daylights out of audiences with stories based on true-to-life ghost-hunting expeditions. With the franchise poised to end one of its biggest chapters, The Conjuring Last Rites debuts as the concluding entry with Ed and Lorraine Warren.
While the ninth film has an official September 5, 2025 release date, star Vin Diesel had earlier indicated it will be the biggest and most emotional of them all. Our full review of The Conjuring Last Rites Below youll find a breakdown for everything you need to know at this stage concerning plot, cast, production details, and a few things the ending reveals about what lies ahead for the franchise.
What Is The Conjuring Last Rites About?
The Conjuring Last Rites takes on what is among the most infamous cases in paranormal history – the Smurl family haunting. The film is set in 1970s and moves to the 1980s and follows the Warrensd—paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine—as they confront a demonic possession of the Smurl family who lived at West Pittston, Pennsylvania. According to the Warrens, it was one of their most “disturbing investigations ever” due to reports of foul smells, unexplained activity and even physical assaults on residents. The movie dramatizes these events, blending real-life terror with the cinematic flair the franchise is known for.
Cast and Characters
The film brings back familiar faces and introduces new talent to portray the Smurl family and the next generation of the Warren legacy. Here’s a look at the key cast members:
- Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren: The clairvoyant and trance medium returns for her final portrayal of Lorraine, bringing emotional depth to the character’s swan song.
- Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren: The demonologist and lecturer, Ed, faces his last battle alongside Lorraine, with Wilson emphasizing the theatricality of the Smurl case.
- Mia Tomlinson as Judy Warren: The Warrens’ daughter, now grown, plays a significant role, hinting at a possible passing of the torch.
- Ben Hardy as Tony Spera: Judy’s boyfriend and eventual husband, Tony is a key figure in carrying forward the Warren legacy.
- Rebecca Calder and Elliot Cowan as Janet and Jack Smurl: The parents of the Smurl family, caught in a nightmarish haunting.
- Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, Tilly Walker, and Molly Cartwright: These actresses portray the Smurl daughters, central to the haunting’s terror.
- John Brotherton and Shannon Kook: Additional cast members in supporting roles, with Kook returning as Drew from previous films.
- Steve Coulter as Father Gordon: The priest who aids the Warrens in their battle against the demonic forces.
- Madison Lawlor and Orion Smith: Playing young Lorraine and Ed, respectively, in potential flashback scenes.
- Cameo Appearances: The real Judy Warren and Tony Spera will be appearing, which only adds the love to the legacy of the Warrens.
With the ensemble cast blending returning, franchise vets and new characters, it also appeared as though we might be getting a good mix of fresh faces with well-worn nostalgia that payed tribute to the legacy of the series while moving into different territory.
Behind the Scenes: Production Details
The film is helmed by Michael Chaves who has earlier given The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and, possibly, also The Nun II. Screenplay is by Ian Goldberg & Richard Naing and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, story by James Wan & David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. The production team includes:
- Producers: James Wan and Peter Safran, the architects of the Conjuring Universe, ensure the film stays true to its roots.
- Cinematographer: Eli Born, capturing the dark, atmospheric tone.
- Editors: Gregory Plotkin and Elliot Greenberg, shaping the film’s pacing and tension.
- Composer: Benjamin Wallfisch, whose haunting score builds on his work from Annabelle: Creation and Blade Runner 2049.
- Production Companies: New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster, and The Safran Company.
- Visual Effects: Supervised by Scott Edelstein, with Eric Bruneau as the visual effects producer, promising horrifying new visuals.
- Costume design and production design – Graham Churchyard/John Frankish really capture our 1980s aesthetic
The film was shot in London on September to November 2024 with the main scenes at Knebworth Park. That production had officially wrapped on November 22, 2024 (Vera Farmiga confirmed it in an Instagram post about her final day filming as Lorraine Warren.)
The Smurl Family Haunting: A Real-Life Horror Story
The Smurl haunting, which inspires Last Rites, is one of the most controversial cases in paranormal history. The Smurl family claimed their Pennsylvania home was plagued by four spirits, including a demonic entity, from 1974 to 1989. Reports included:
- Unexplained odors and chilling drafts.
- Shadowy figures and disembodied voices.
- Physical attacks and ghostly molestations.
- Objects moving or disappearing without explanation.
From the mid-1980s, Ed and Lorraine Warren were involved in it which they considered to be one of toughest cases they would work on. The Smurl case became a cult cause, and although heavily subject to media and clergy scepticism, it was also the catalyst for numerous books, documentaries—and now this filmic version. The events of the Palma murders are expected to be heightened in this new movie, using horror and supernatural elements that are trademarks of the series.
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Release Date and Viewing Experience
The Conjuring Last Rites will be released in theaters and IMAX in North America on September 5, 2025, with international screenings beginning September 3, 2025. An extra level of horror is offered with the film being seen in IMAX, delivering spine-tingling imagery and sound with some of the most exciting nature scenes that will have you trying to catch your breath.
Promotional trailers and teasers have been indicating since as early as May 2025 that the film would be presenting the Warrens’ most sinister, superlative case. The series tagline reads “Find out why this case broke some hearts… and ended it all,” reinforcing the high stakes both emotionally and supernaturally, promising a payoff to linger horses on.
Why Last Rites Is a Must-Watch for Horror Fans?
The Conjuring The Last Rites Promises to Be a Game-Changer of A Horror Film As One Of The Most Acclaimed Series Comes To An End And New Stories Are Politely Teased The fact that it was rooted in the Smurl haunting gives it a chilling link to reality, and Vera Farmiga’s return (and Wilson’s) kept the central relationship from getting stale. With an extended runtime, a quintet of talented youngsters and one of the high-stakes narratives yet, Snake Eyes is a horror series fan’s dream – but too enjoyable to miss by anyone else.
Conclusion: A Haunting Farewell to a Horror Legacy
The Conjuring Last Rites is not just another horror movie but the culmination of a decade long journey that has changed the definition of modern horror cinema. The Smurl family haunting is how to send off the Warrens in a movie that somehow manages to be both chilling and sentimental. A mix of real world influence, great performances and a story that ends some things while opening others up to the future, Last Rites is likely to be memorable. As the Conjuring Universe evolves, this final chapter invites fans to witness the Warrens’ ultimate battle, ensuring their legacy endures.