Ed and Lorraine’s swan song is a disappointing ending to two of the most recognisable figures in the paranormal scene
We first see the Smurl family at their dining table. It’s a loud, chaotic family but one filled with love for one another. The two youngest daughters are running around the house, the older two are bickering as siblings do, the grandparents seem happy to be involved and the parents look like they love the chaos that surrounds their family.
But after their daughter Dawn (Beau Gadsdon) receives an eerie present from her grandparents, the evil spirits arrive at their door step to suck the life out of this once playful home.
So, who are you gonna call? Not the ghostbusters sadly, although their way of getting rid of spirits seems a lot more fun and easy than what the Smurls have to endure. It’s Ed and Lorraine, this time with help of their daughter Judy (Mia Tomlinson) and her soon to be husband Tony (Ben Hardy).
The stakes are set. Here we go boys and girls. It’s time for one last battle to end it all. Strap in. Get ready for some high intensity spirit chasing.
If only that was actually the case.
Conjuring: Last Rites was labelled as “the case that ended it all’. A misleading way to describe what would be the final film in this universe which spanned over 12 years.
They make it seem like this incident was so scary, so horrifying that they could no longer fathom to take any more cases on. Not the case, no pun intended. They start the film already retired because Ed is at a high risk for a heart attack. The only reason they decide to help the Smurl’s at all is because Judy goes to them herself.
The only reason this case would have been such a hard one for them to stomach is because it’s centered around their daughter. Completely understandable, anything involving your daughter will put you on edge, especially incidents involving spirits.
But acting as if it was so petrifying that it even rattled the most famous paranormal hunters works to this film’s detriment. Because as scares go, this is certainly a mixed bag and doesn’t warrant being scary enough to what the claims were.
It has its moments, most notably with the giant Annabelle doll towards the film’s climax, but a lot of the time the anticipation of the scare feels creepier than the scares themselves. There will be a few that throw you off balance but there won’t be many which make you actively look for the nearest exit because you can’t bear to face it anymore.
It’s disappointing, considering one of the main reasons you go to these films is to be terrified and they used to excel at just. At least the dynamic between the Warren’s is in tip top form, because otherwise this would have been a real chore.
You have to deal with a few too many daughter’s boyfriend seeking father’s approval clichés than you would have liked, but it acts as an ok send off to these characters and actors who have continued to put in good performances in each outing.
For one of the most iconic horror franchises, about two of the most iconic individuals in the paranormal scene, this franchise and these people deserved a better send off than this distinctly average outing.
It feels as though all the pieces were there for an enthralling ending, but they play it too safe to ever let themselves get there. Ironic considering if there’s one thing Ed and Loraine didn’t do, was play it safe.
I don’t even have any emotional ties, but the wasted potential even annoys me.
I’m sure die hard fans would have still gotten enjoyment, but I can’t help but feel they go out with a whimper. An undeserved fate for characters are such prowess.
